Print control program product, information processing apparatus, and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a print control program product, an information processing apparatus, and a control method that enable free setting of a print language used when printing is performed using an information processing apparatus into which a general-purpose printer driver is introduced. A print control program product according to the present disclosure includes a print control program that extends a general-purpose printer driver, the print control program causing a computer to execute: an acquisition process of acquiring information indicating a print language usable by a printer; a user interface process of displaying a first user interface screen including the print language indicated by the information as an option and accepting selection of the print language by a user; and a transmission process of transmitting print data in the selected print language to the printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing control program, an information processing device, and a control method. Background Technology

[0002] Until now, when sending printing data from an information processing device to a printer, printer drivers supplied by the vendor of the printer (hereinafter also referred to as vendor-specific drivers) have typically been used. However, in recent years, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, generic printer drivers, such as printer drivers based on the Operating System (OS) standard, are being used instead of such vendor-specific drivers.

[0003] When vendor-specific drivers are available, multiple printer drivers with different printing languages ​​can be installed on the information processing device as printer drivers for the same printer. Furthermore, when multiple printer drivers with different printing languages ​​are installed on the information processing device as printer drivers for the same printer, the user can easily select the printer driver used, i.e., the printing language used.

[0004] However, with current technology, it is not possible to freely set the printing language when using a universal printer driver. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a technology that allows for the free setting of the printing language used when printing using an information processing device with a universal printer driver.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-140680. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The printing control program disclosed herein extends a general printing program, which causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; displaying a first user interface screen containing the printing languages ​​indicated by the information as options and accepting the user's selection of the printing languages; and sending printing data to the printer according to the selected printing languages.

[0007] The information processing apparatus disclosed herein includes a general printing program and a printing control program that extends the general printing program. The information processing apparatus, as a function of the printing control program, includes: an acquisition processing unit that acquires information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; a user interface processing unit that displays a first user interface screen containing the printing languages ​​indicated by the information as options, and accepts a user's selection of the printing language; and a transmission processing unit that sends printing data according to the selected printing language to the printer.

[0008] The control method disclosed herein enables a computer comprising a general printing program and a printing control program extending the general printing program to perform the following processes by executing the printing control program: obtaining information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; displaying a first user interface screen containing the printing languages ​​indicated by the information as options and accepting the user's selection of the printing languages; and sending printing data to the printer according to the selected printing languages. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a printing system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating the constituent elements of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 as a printing control program.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen showing the selection of a printing language.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the printing system according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a specified UI screen for printing settings.

[0014] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating the constituent elements of the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 as a printing control program.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen showing the selection of a printing language.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the printing system according to Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To clarify the description, the following description and drawings have been appropriately omitted and simplified. Furthermore, in each drawing, the same elements are labeled with the same symbols, and repeated descriptions are omitted as needed. Moreover, for the purpose of explaining illustrative embodiments, not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessarily necessary, and some features or steps may be omitted. Furthermore, the order of steps described in any one drawing may be appropriately changed.

[0018] Implementation Method 1

[0019] The information processing device involved in this embodiment is a device that is connected to a printer and can instruct the printer to print. This information processing device and the printer together constitute a printing system.

[0020] The following uses Figure 1 Here is a structural example of a printing system equipped with the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 1 according to this embodiment includes an information processing device 100 and a printer 200. Furthermore, in Figure 1 The image shows a single printer 200, but the printing system 1 can include multiple printers 200. Furthermore, the printing system 1 can also have multiple information processing devices 100.

[0022] The information processing device 100 is a terminal device with communication capabilities, such as a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, or tablet, and is used by a user who wishes to print. The information processing device 100 is connected to the printer 200 via network N for processing and transmitting printing data. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 can also be directly connected without using network N.

[0023] When printer 200 receives printing data expressed in a predetermined printing language, it interprets the printing data according to that printing language and performs printing processing according to the printing data. Thus, printer 200 prints on media such as paper according to the printing data. Printer 200 is capable of interpreting at least one printing language. That is, printer 200 can use at least one printing language. Alternatively, printer 200 can be configured to use multiple printing languages.

[0024] The printer 200 can also be called a printing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, or a multifunction printer. The printer 200 can be any device with both communication and printing functions, or it can be a multifunction printer with scanning, copying, faxing, or other functions. Furthermore, the copying function is achieved through both scanning and printing functions. Moreover, the printing method in the printer 200 is not limited; for example, it can use various printing methods such as inkjet printing and laser printing.

[0025] The structure of the information processing device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the information processing device 100, as its main hardware structure, includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, a user interface (IF) 130, and a communication interface (IF) 140. The user interface 130 includes an input unit 131 and a display unit 132. The processing unit 110, the storage unit 120, the user interface 130, and the communication interface 140 can also be interconnected via a data bus or the like. As will be explained below, the information processing device 100 is a device that functions as a computer. In particular, in this embodiment, the information processing device 100 is a computer that has installed an operating system (OS) 150, a general printer driver 151, and a vendor auxiliary application 160, which will be described later.

[0027] The processing unit 110 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Microprocessor), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processing unit 110 has one or more processors. The processing unit 110 functions as a computing device for performing control processing and arithmetic processing. The processing unit 110 controls the storage unit 120, the user information information unit 130, and the communication information information unit 140.

[0028] Storage unit 120 is a storage device composed of one or more memories or storage devices, or combinations thereof. The memories may be volatile memories, non-volatile memories, or combinations thereof. Volatile memories may be, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). Non-volatile memories may be, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). Storage devices may also be flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive). Storage unit 120 has the function of storing control programs and arithmetic programs executed by processing unit 110. Furthermore, storage unit 120 has the function of temporarily storing processing data, etc. Processing unit 110 (i.e., processor) reads various programs from storage unit 120 (i.e., memory) and executes them. Therefore, in this embodiment, specifically, processing unit 110 implements reference... Figure 2 The description explains the functions of the supplier assistance application 160. Additionally, including those described later... Figure 2 The information processing device 100, as shown, can perform any function not only through program-based software but also through any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Furthermore, each component can be implemented using user-programmable integrated circuits such as FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) or microcomputers. In this case, the integrated circuit can also be used to implement the program composed of each component.

[0029] Communication IF140 is an interface for information processing device 100 to communicate with other devices via network N or directly. Communication IF140 may include communication circuitry, etc.

[0030] User IF130 has an input section 131, which serves as an input device such as a keyboard or indicator. The user inputs information to the information processing device 100 by operating the input section 131. For example, by operating the input section 131, the user can input instructions for setting printing and instructions for executing printing to the information processing device 100.

[0031] In addition, the user IF130 has a display unit 132 for displaying information. The display unit 132 is, for example, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0032] Alternatively, the input unit 131 and the display unit 132 may be configured as a physically integrated device, such as a touch screen or a touch panel.

[0033] In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes an OS (Operating System) 150 as a program read from the storage unit 120 and executed by the processing unit 110. The OS 150 is basic software that controls the operation of the information processing device 100. The OS 150 may be, for example, Windows (registered trademark), but is not limited thereto. In the following description, examples of the OS 150 being Windows will be appropriately described.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes a universal printer driver 151 and a vendor-assisted application 160 as programs read from the storage unit 120 and executed by the processing unit 110. The universal printer driver 151 may also be part of the OS 150. Figure 1 In the following description, the Supplier Assistance Application will be referred to as Supplier Assistance App.

[0035] The Universal Printer Driver 151 is described below. The Universal Printer Driver 151 is a standard OS printer driver included in or added to OS 150. That is, the Universal Printer Driver 151 is a driver different from vendor-specific drivers. The Universal Printer Driver 151 is a program that controls the printer to perform printing for various printers. In other words, the Universal Printer Driver 151 is not a printer driver for a specific printer, but rather a printer driver for various printers provided by various vendors. Additionally, the Universal Printer Driver 151 can also be referred to as an OS Universal Printing Program or a Universal Printing Program.

[0036] The generic printer driver 151 is a driver that uses common protocols for printer searching and printing. For example, the generic printer driver 151 uses mDNS / DNS-SD for printer searching and IPP for 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. Therefore, the generic printer driver 151 can be described as an OS standard IPP class driver. IPP is an example of a standard protocol for managing and controlling printer printing. IPP uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) POST requests and responses to obtain and control printer information. In IPP, printer settings and status can be obtained. Secure communication is achieved by using HTTPS (HTTP Secure) instead of HTTP.

[0037] The Vendor Support App 160 is described below. Vendor Support App 160 is an application that assists the generic printer driver 151 and extends the functionality of the generic printer driver 151. Therefore, the generic printer driver 151 is able to launch the Vendor Support App 160 and send and receive information with it. Specifically, the Vendor Support App 160 is, for example, a Print Support Application (PSA).

[0038] The supplier assistance App 160 can be configured to assist the general printer driver 151 and to enable the computer to perform printing controls suitable for the performance of the target printer, that is, printing controls that support the printer's unique functions. In this embodiment, the computer referred to here is the information processing device 100 or the processing unit 110.

[0039] Supplier assistance app 160 is an application provided by printer suppliers, etc. That is, supplier assistance app 160 is, for example, an application developed by the supplier of printer 200. Supplier assistance app 160 can be provided to users of information processing device 100, for example, by being made available in the application store of an OS provider. Alternatively, supplier assistance app 160 can be provided to users as included in or attached to the OS. Supplier assistance app 160 can be launched either from or without the general printer driver 151.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supplier assistance App 160 includes the printing control program described below. That is, this printing control program can also be installed as, for example, a PSA. This printing control program is an extension of the universal printer driver 151, and enables the computer (i.e., information processing device 100) to... Figure 2 The functions shown. Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating the constituent elements of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 as a printing control program. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the information processing apparatus 100, as a function of the printing control program, includes an acquisition processing unit 161, a UI (User Interface) processing unit 162, a printing data conversion unit 163, and a transmission processing unit 164. That is, the printing control program causes the information processing apparatus 100 (computer) to execute the processing of the acquisition processing unit 161, the UI processing unit 162, the printing data conversion unit 163, and the transmission processing unit 164. In other words, the processing unit 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 executes the processing of the acquisition processing unit 161, the UI processing unit 162, the printing data conversion unit 163, and the transmission processing unit 164 by executing the printing control program. Furthermore, the processing of the acquisition processing unit 161, the processing of the UI processing unit 162, the processing of the printing data conversion unit 163, and the processing of the transmission processing unit 164 are sometimes appropriately referred to as acquisition processing, UI processing (user interface processing), data conversion processing, and transmission processing, respectively.

[0041] The acquisition processing unit 161 acquires information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use. The printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use may also be referred to as the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can process, or the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can interpret. Furthermore, the printer 200 is not limited to one language. That is, the printer 200 may sometimes use multiple printing languages. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 161 acquires information indicating all the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use, i.e., a list of the printing languages ​​that can be used. Hereinafter, the information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can process will be referred to as printing language information.

[0042] The UI processing unit 162 displays a UI screen that includes, as an option, the printing language information obtained by the acquisition processing unit 161, as described above, and accepts the user's selection of the printing language. Specifically, the UI processing unit 162 displays this UI screen on the display unit 132. The user selects the printing language they wish to use in the printing process performed by the printer 200 from the options displayed on the UI screen.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen 80 for selecting a printing language. When the UI processing unit 162 obtains printing language information that the printer 200 can use from the processing unit 161, it will, for example... Figure 3 The UI screen 80 shown is displayed on the display unit 132 (i.e., the monitor). Figure 3 The UI screen 80 shown here as an example is a so-called GUI (Graphical User Interface), including a drop-down menu 81, a button 82, and a button 83. Drop-down menu 81 is a GUI component that displays the printing languages ​​available to the printer 200 and accepts selections. Button 82 is a GUI component for confirming the selection. Button 83 is a GUI component for deselecting. However, this is only one example of a UI screen; the UI screen displayed by the UI processing unit 162 is not limited to any UI screen that displays the printing languages ​​available to the printer 200 and accepts selections. Figure 3 The example shown. Additionally... Figure 3The UI shown is an example of the UI when the printer 200 can use one of three printing languages: vendor standard language, PCL (Printer Command Language), or PS (PostScript). Here, vendor standard language refers to a printing language that contains instructions defined specifically by the printer 200's vendor; it can also be described as a printing language dedicated to a particular vendor's printer 200. Therefore, generally speaking, vendor standard language is a printing language that can utilize more of the printer 200's capabilities compared to other commonly used printing languages ​​such as PS or PCL.

[0044] The print data conversion unit 163 converts print data in a predetermined data format, i.e., print data represented in a predetermined print language, received from the universal printer driver 151 into print data represented in a print language that is processed by the UI processing unit 162. In this embodiment, as an example, the print data received by the print control program (print data conversion unit 163) from the universal printer driver 151 is in XPS (Extensible Markup Language) paper specification format (hereinafter also simply referred to as XPS data). For example, via... Figure 3 If the UI screen 80 shown selects PS as the printing language the user wants to use, the printing data conversion unit 163 will convert the XPS data received from the general printer driver 151 into printing data in PS format.

[0045] The transmission processing unit 164 performs transmission processing to send print data in the selected printing language to the printer 200. Specifically, the transmission processing unit 164 performs processing to send the print data converted by the print data conversion unit 163 to the printer 200. Specifically, the transmission processing unit 164 causes the universal printer driver 151 to execute the transmission of print data in the selected printing language to the printer 200. That is, the transmission processing unit 164 delivers the print data converted by the print data conversion unit 163 to the universal printer driver 151, and causes the universal printer driver 151 to execute the transmission to the printer 200.

[0046] Next, an example of the operation of the printing system 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the printing system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 4 The sequence diagram shown illustrates an example of the operation of printing system 1.

[0047] In step S100, user U starts the supplier assistance app 160, i.e., the aforementioned printing control program, via operation input unit 131. Alternatively, the supplier assistance app 160 can be started by user U performing a predetermined operation on the UI screen provided by an application that processes data related to the printing object. In this case, the universal printer driver 151 can also be started by calling the universal printer driver 151 from the application. For example, the predetermined operation could be the operation of a button displaying the properties of the printer used for printing. Furthermore, the application that processes data related to the printing object can be, for example, document editing software, spreadsheet software, image editing software, or photo display software, but is not limited to these. Alternatively, the supplier assistance app 160 can also be started without using an application that processes data related to the printing object. That is, user U can also perform a predetermined operation to directly start the supplier assistance app 160.

[0048] In step S101, the acquisition processing unit 161 of the supplier assistance App 160 requests printing language information from the general printer driver 151 in order to obtain printing language information representing the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use for printing.

[0049] Next, in step S102, the universal printer driver 151 requests printing language information from the printer 200 based on a request from the vendor assistance app 160. Conversely, in step S103, based on the request from the universal printer driver 151, the printer 200 sends its printing language information to the universal printer driver 151 (information processing device 100), and the universal printer driver 151 obtains the printing language information. Furthermore, the universal printer driver 151 performs communication between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200, for example, via IPP communication. Next, in step S104, the universal printer driver 151 outputs the obtained printing language information to the vendor assistance app 160, depending on whether it has obtained the printing language information from the printer 200. Thus, the acquisition processing unit 161 of the vendor assistance app 160 obtains printing language information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use for printing. Furthermore, since the printer 200 used may be changed by the user, the printing language information acquisition process can be repeated at any time.

[0050] Next, in step S105, the UI processing unit 162 of the supplier assistance app 160 displays a UI screen that includes the printing language information obtained in step S104 as an option. Then, in step S106, the UI processing unit 162 accepts the user U's selection for the printing language.

[0051] Next, in step S107, user U inputs printing instructions for the data of the printing object, i.e., the document of the printing object, into the information processing device 100 by operating the input unit 131. This input of printing instructions can be achieved, for example, by user U performing a predetermined operation on the UI screen provided by the application that processes the data of the printing object, or it can be achieved by performing a predetermined operation on the UI screen provided by the general printer driver 151 or the vendor assistance app 160.

[0052] The input printing instructions are communicated to OS150. In step S108, OS150 generates XPS data as printing data in XPS format based on the data of the printing object. Then, OS150 passes the generated XPS data to the universal printer driver 151. Next, in step S109, the universal printer driver 151 outputs the XPS data to the vendor auxiliary App 160.

[0053] Next, in step S110, the print data conversion unit 163 of the supplier assistance app 160 performs conversion processing on the XPS data obtained from the universal printer driver 151. That is, the print data conversion unit 163 performs processing to convert the printing language. Specifically, the print data conversion unit 163 converts the XPS data into print data represented by the printing language selected in step S106.

[0054] Next, in step S111, the sending processing unit 164 of the supplier auxiliary App 160 outputs the printing data converted in step S110 to the printer 200, and delegates the sending to the printer 200 to the general printer driver 151.

[0055] Next, in step S112, the universal printer driver 151 sends a print job containing the print data converted in step S110 to the printer 200. Then, in step S113, the printer 200 performs printing according to the print data converted in step S110.

[0056] The above describes Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the supplier assistance App 160 (print control program) obtains information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use, displays a UI screen for selecting a printing language, and is subject to the user's selection of the printing language. Then, printing data according to the selected printing language is sent to the printer 200. Therefore, according to Embodiment 1, the printing language used can be freely set for printing. Depending on the printing language, the throughput of printing data transmission and the printing quality can sometimes vary. Therefore, by providing a technology that allows for free setting of the printing language, usability can be improved.

[0057] Variations The above-described embodiments can also be modified as follows. These modifications will be described below. Furthermore, points that differ from the above-described embodiments will be explained, while repetitive structures or processes will be omitted from the description as appropriate.

[0058] When printing is performed by printer 200, the user can specify various printing settings. However, depending on the selected printing language, there may be printing settings that cannot be implemented. For example, image processing, such as adjusting image quality, sometimes only supports a subset of printing languages, such as the vendor's standard language. In this case, if another printing language is selected, the printing settings requiring that image processing cannot be implemented. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly inform the user of the printing settings that can and cannot be specified based on the selected printing language. In this variation, printing settings refer to any printing-related settings other than the printing language.

[0059] Therefore, in this modified example, the printing control program described above also provides the following functions. Specifically, in this modified example, the UI processing unit 162 also performs the following processing.

[0060] The UI processing unit 162 determines the printing settings that are not supported by the selected printing language. Alternatively, this process can be implemented, for example, by using definition information showing the printing settings supported by the printing language and the printing settings not supported by the printing language for each printing language. In this case, the UI processing unit 162 refers to the definition information to determine the printing settings that are not supported by the selected printing language. Furthermore, such definition information can also be obtained from the printer 200 using the same acquisition process as obtaining printing language information.

[0061] Furthermore, as a UI screen for printing settings, the UI processing unit 162 displays different UI screens on the display unit 132 regarding printing settings supported by the selected printing language and printing settings not supported by the selected printing language. This allows the user to easily understand which printing settings are available and which are not. Then, the UI processing unit 162 receives instructions from the user regarding the application of printing settings supported by the selected printing language. That is, the UI processing unit 162 only receives instructions regarding the application of printing settings supported by the selected printing language, and does not receive instructions regarding the application of printing settings not supported by the selected printing language. Then, the transmission processing unit 164 performs transmission processing to send printing data according to the selected printing language and the indicated printing settings to the printer 200. Specifically, the transmission processing unit 164 causes the universal printer driver 151 to execute the transmission of printing data according to the selected printing language and the indicated printing settings to the printer 200.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen 90 specifying printing settings. The UI processing unit 162 will, for example... Figure 5 The UI screen 90 shown is displayed on the display unit 132 (i.e., the monitor) as a UI screen for printing settings. Figure 5 In the example shown, the printing settings for color printing are those supported by the selected printing language, while the printing settings for print quality are those not supported by the selected printing language. Figure 5 The UI screen 90 shown as an example is a so-called GUI, including drop-down menus 91 and 92, button 93, and button 94. Drop-down menu 91 is a GUI component for printing settings related to color printing. Drop-down menu 92 is a GUI component for printing settings related to print quality. Button 93 is a designated GUI component for confirming printing settings. Button 94 is a designated GUI component for canceling printing settings. Figure 5 In the example, the drop-down menu 91 for color printing is displayed as a GUI component that allows specifying settings. Conversely, the drop-down menu 92 for print quality is displayed as a GUI component that does not allow specifying settings. In this way, the UI processing unit 162 can also display a GUI component that allows specifying settings for print settings supported by the selected print language, and a GUI component that does not allow specifying settings for print settings not supported by the selected print language. Furthermore, as... Figure 5As shown, for printing settings that are not supported by the selected printing language, the UI processing unit 162 can also display a warning message 95 to inform the user that the printing setting is not supported by the selected printing language. In this way, in a modified example, the UI processing unit 162 displays different UI screens for displaying printing settings supported by the selected printing language and for displaying printing settings not supported by the selected printing language. Furthermore, Figure 5 This is merely an example of a UI screen. The UI screen displayed by the UI processing unit 162 regarding printing settings can be any UI screen that displays different printing settings for the selected printing language and different printing settings for the selected printing language that it does not support; it is not limited to any particular UI screen. Figure 5 The example shown.

[0063] The above describes a modified example. In this modified example, the UI screen for printing settings displays different options for displaying printing settings supported by the selected printing language and for displaying printing settings not supported by the selected printing language. Therefore, even when the printing settings supported by different printing languages ​​differ, the user can easily determine which printing settings are usable and which are not. This improves usability.

[0064] Implementation Method 2 Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the first embodiment, the printing language used is selected by the user, but the printing language can also be selected automatically. In this embodiment, an information processing device 100 having the function of automatically selecting the printing language used will be described.

[0065] In this embodiment, the printing control program includes, in addition to the functions described in Embodiment 1, the functions described below. Similar to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the printing control program can also be installed as, for example, a PSA. In this embodiment, the printing control program is a printing control program that extends the general printer driver 151, and enables the computer (i.e., the information processing device 100) to... Figure 6 The functions shown. Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating the constituent elements of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2 as a printing control program.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the information processing device 100 involved in the second embodiment and Figure 2The difference in the information processing apparatus 100 shown is that it also includes an automatic selection unit 165 as a function of the printing control program. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing control program causes the information processing apparatus 100 (computer) to execute the processing of the acquisition processing unit 161, the UI processing unit 162, the automatic selection unit 165, the printing data conversion unit 163, and the transmission processing unit 164. In other words, the processing unit 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 executes the processing of the acquisition processing unit 161, the UI processing unit 162, the automatic selection unit 165, the printing data conversion unit 163, and the transmission processing unit 164 by executing the printing control program. Furthermore, the processing of the automatic selection unit 165 can also be referred to as automatic selection processing.

[0067] In this embodiment, the UI processing unit 162 serves as a UI screen for selecting a printing language, and also displays a UI screen that includes an option to automatically select the printing language. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can instruct the information processing device 100 to automatically select the language. When the user wants the information processing device 100 to select the printing language instead of selecting it manually, they can select the option indicating automatic selection from the options displayed on the UI screen.

[0068] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen 80a showing the selection of a printing language. In this embodiment, when the UI processing unit 162 obtains the printing language information of the printer 200 from the processing unit 161, for example, it selects... Figure 7 The UI screen 80a shown is displayed on the display unit 132 (i.e., the monitor). Figure 7 The UI screen shown is 80a and Figure 3 The difference in the UI screen 80 shown is that the drop-down menu 81 includes not only the option to specify the printing language, but also an option 81a for indicating automatic selection of the printing language.

[0069] When instructed to automatically select a printing language, i.e., when the UI processing unit 162 receives the instruction for automatic selection, the automatic selection unit 165 selects a printing language from those usable by the printer 200 according to predetermined selection rules. In other words, the automatic selection unit 165 determines the printing language to be used. For example, in... Figure 7 In the example shown, the automatic selection unit 165 selects a printing language from three printing languages—supplier standard language, PCL, and PS—according to predetermined selection rules. Therefore, even if the user does not select a printing language, they can choose an appropriate printing language that the printer 200 can process.

[0070] The predetermined selection rule can be any pre-determined rule. For example, the following selection rule can be used: That is, the automatic selection unit 165 can also select the printing language in the following manner.

[0071] The automatic selection unit 165 can also select a predetermined printing language among the printing languages ​​usable by the printer 200, where the printing data obtained from the universal printer driver 151 includes a depiction of an image such as a photograph, based on predetermined criteria that the characteristics of the image's print quality meet predetermined standards. These predetermined criteria are standards representing the level of print quality. For example, in this case, the automatic selection unit 165 selects the XPS printing language, which is capable of printing images with higher quality than other printing languages. To make such a selection, the automatic selection unit 165 can, for example, parse the printing data (XPS data) obtained from the universal printer driver 151 and determine whether the data of the printable object contains an image. Furthermore, since the printing data obtained from the universal printer driver 151 is described according to a predetermined description method of the predetermined printing language (XPS), it can be easily parsed. By automatically selecting the printing language according to such selection rules, high-quality printing can be achieved.

[0072] Furthermore, the automatic selection unit 165 can also select a predetermined printing language among the printing languages ​​that can be used by the printer 200, whose data volume characteristics meet a predetermined benchmark, when the communication speed between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 is less than a predetermined speed. In other words, in the case of poor communication conditions, the automatic selection unit 165 selects a predetermined printing language whose data volume characteristics meet a predetermined benchmark. The predetermined benchmark here refers to the amount of data in the printed data. For example, in this case, the automatic selection unit 165 selects PCL, a printing language that can suppress the data size of the printed data compared to other printing languages. This suppresses the waiting time until printing is performed. To perform such automatic language selection, the automatic selection unit 165 can also estimate the communication speed between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200. For example, the automatic selection unit 165 can estimate the communication speed based on the time from when the supplier assistance app 160 (printing control program) outputs a request for printing language information to when the supplier assistance app 160 (printing control program) receives the printing language information. That is, the automatic selection unit 165 can also estimate the communication speed between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 based on the time from the execution of step S101 to the execution of step S104. Furthermore, the estimation of the communication speed between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 does not necessarily need to be performed by the supplier-assisted App 160 (print control program). The automatic selection unit 165 can also obtain the communication speed between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 as measured by other components of the information processing device 100. Thus, the automatic selection unit 165 can obtain the communication speed using any method.

[0073] Furthermore, the automatic selection unit 165 can also select a printing language that supports the printing settings indicated by the user, from among the printing languages ​​that the printer 200 can use. That is, when the user U indicates the printing settings to be applied, the automatic selection unit 165 selects a printing language that supports the indicated printing settings. For example, if the printing settings indicated by the user are printing settings that can be implemented using a vendor standard language, the automatic selection unit 165 selects the vendor standard language. To make such a selection, the automatic selection unit 165 can also perform a process to confirm which printing language supports the printing settings received by the user from the UI processing unit 162. In this process, the definition information described above, that is, the definition information showing the printing settings supported by each printing language, can also be used. In this case, the automatic selection unit 165 refers to the definition information to determine the printing language that supports the printing settings indicated by the user. By automatically selecting the printing language with such a selection rule, printing using the printing settings desired by the user can be achieved.

[0074] Furthermore, the automatic selection described above is merely an example; the automatic selection unit 165 may also select the printing language according to other selection rules. For instance, the automatic selection unit 165 may select the printing language according to a predetermined priority order of various candidate printing languages ​​that can be used by the printer 200. For example, if the automatic selection unit 165 is unable to determine the printing language according to the selection rules described above, it may also select the printing language according to a predetermined priority order.

[0075] Next, an example of the operation of the printing system 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the printing system 1 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 8 The sequence diagram shown is Figure 4 The difference in the sequence diagram shown is that step S200 has been added. Additionally, in Figure 8 In the sequence diagram shown, in step S106, as a selection for user U regarding the printed language, the option indicating automatic selection was selected. The following will discuss... Figure 4 The differences in the sequence diagram shown will be explained.

[0076] exist Figure 8 In the sequence diagram shown, step S200 is performed before step S110. Additionally, in Figure 8 In the sequence diagram shown, as an example, step S200 is implemented after step S109, but step S200 can be implemented at any time before step S110.

[0077] In step S200, the automatic selection unit 165 determines the printing language to be used according to a predetermined selection rule. Furthermore, the automatic selection unit 165 performs processing for determining the printing language as needed. That is, for example, as described above, the automatic selection unit 165 performs XPS data parsing processing, communication speed estimation processing, and determination processing of the printing language that supports the printing settings indicated by the user U, etc.

[0078] Following step S200, step S110 is performed. In step S110, the printing data conversion unit 163 of the supplier assistance App 160 converts the XPS data into printing data expressed in the printing language determined in step S200. Subsequent processing follows the same procedure. Figure 4 As explained.

[0079] The above describes Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, an automatic selection function for the printed language is provided. Therefore, usability can be improved. Furthermore, the above-described variations can also be combined with Embodiment 2.

[0080] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, the case where OS150 is Windows has been described, but OS150 is not limited to Windows, and may be any operating system such as macOS (registered trademark) or Linux (registered trademark).

[0081] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the program includes a set of commands (or software code) for causing a computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments when read by a computer. The program may also be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. As a non-limiting example, a computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. As a non-limiting example, a temporary computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagation signals. Furthermore, the program is included in a computer program product.

[0082] Furthermore, although some or all of the above-described embodiments or variations may be described as in the following notes, they are not limited thereto.

[0083] Postscript 1 A printing control program that extends general printing programs. The printing control program causes the computer to perform the following processes: Acquisition and processing of information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; Display a first user interface screen showing the printed language as an option and handle user interface processing for the user's selection of the printed language; Sending printing data in the selected printing language to the printer.

[0084] Appendix 2 The printing control program is described in Appendix 1, wherein the printing control program is a printing support application.

[0085] Appendix 3 The printing control procedure as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein, The user interface processing also includes: Processing is performed to determine printing settings that are not supported by the selected printing language; The process of displaying different second user interface screens for displaying printing settings supported by the selected printing language and for displaying printing settings not supported by the selected printing language; The processing of instructions regarding the printing settings supported by the selected printing language. The sending process is the process of sending the printing data, according to the selected printing language and the indicated printing settings, to the printer.

[0086] Appendix 4 The printing control procedure as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein, In the user interface processing, the first user interface screen is displayed, which also includes an option to indicate automatic selection for the printed language. The printing control program also enables the computer to perform an automatic selection process that selects the printing language from the printing languages ​​available to the printer according to predetermined selection rules when an automatic selection for the printing language is indicated.

[0087] Appendix 5 The printing control procedure as described in Appendix 4, wherein... In the automatic selection process, when the printing data obtained from the general printing program includes a depiction of an image, a predetermined printing language is selected that satisfies predetermined criteria regarding the print quality characteristics of the image in the printing language that the printer can use.

[0088] Appendix 6 The printing control procedure as described in Appendix 4 or 5, wherein... In the automatic selection process, if the communication speed between the computer and the printer is less than a predetermined speed, a predetermined printing language that satisfies the predetermined criteria regarding the characteristics of data volume among the printing languages ​​that the printer can use is selected.

[0089] Appendix 7 The printing control procedure is as described in any one of Appendix 4 to 6, wherein... In the automatic selection process, the printer selects a printing language that supports the printing settings specified by the user among the printing languages ​​that it can use.

[0090] Postscript 8 An information processing apparatus includes a general printing program and a printing control program that extends the general printing program. The information processing device, as a function of the printing control program, has the following features: The processing unit acquires information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; The user interface processing unit displays a first user interface screen showing the printed language as an option, including the information indicated therein, and accepts the user's selection of the printed language. The sending processing unit sends printing data in the selected printing language to the printer.

[0091] Postscript 9 A control method that causes a computer, comprising a general printing program and a printing control program extending the general printing program, to perform the following processing by executing the printing control program: Acquisition and processing of information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; A first user interface screen displays the printing language shown as an option, and handles the user's selection of the printing language. Sending printing data in the selected printing language to the printer.

[0092] Symbol Explanation 1… Printing system; 80… UI screen; 80a… UI screen; 81… Drop-down menu; 81a… Options; 82… Button; 83… Button; 90… UI screen; 91… Drop-down menu; 92… Drop-down menu; 93… Button; 94… Button; 95… Warning message; 100… Information processing device; 110… Processing unit; 120… Storage unit; 130… User IF; 131… Input unit; 132… Display unit; 140… Communication IF; 151… Universal printer driver; 160… Supplier auxiliary application; 161… Acquisition processing unit; 162… UI processing unit; 163… Printing data conversion unit; 164… Transmission processing unit; 165… Automatic selection unit; 200… Printer; N… Network; U… User.

Claims

1. A printing control program product comprising a printing control program that extends a general printing program. The printing control program causes the computer to perform the following processes: The process obtains information indicating the printing language that the printer can use; The user interface processing displays a first user interface screen showing the printed language as an option, including the information indicated therein, and accepts the user's selection of the printed language. The sending process sends printing data to the printer according to the selected printing language.

2. The printing control program product as described in claim 1, wherein, The printing control program is a printing support application.

3. The printing control program product as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The user interface processing also includes: Processing is performed to determine printing settings that are not supported by the selected printing language; The process of displaying different second user interface screens for displaying printing settings supported by the selected printing language and for displaying printing settings not supported by the selected printing language; The processing of instructions regarding the printing settings supported by the selected printing language. The sending process is the process of sending the printing data, according to the selected printing language and the indicated printing settings, to the printer.

4. The printing control program product as described in claim 1, wherein, In the user interface processing, the first user interface screen is displayed, which also includes an option to indicate automatic selection for the printed language. The printing control program also causes the computer to perform an automatic selection process, that is, when an automatic selection for the printing language is indicated, to select the printing language from the printing languages ​​that the printer can use according to a predetermined selection rule.

5. The printing control program as described in claim 4, wherein, In the automatic selection process, when the printing data obtained from the general printing program includes a depiction of an image, a predetermined printing language is selected that satisfies predetermined criteria regarding the print quality characteristics of the image in the printing language that the printer can use.

6. The printing control program product as described in claim 4, wherein, In the automatic selection process, if the communication speed between the computer and the printer is less than a predetermined speed, a predetermined printing language that satisfies the predetermined criteria regarding the characteristics of data volume among the printing languages ​​that the printer can use is selected.

7. The printing control program product as described in claim 4, wherein, In the automatic selection process, the printer selects a printing language that supports the printing settings specified by the user from among the printing languages ​​that it can use.

8. An information processing apparatus comprising a general printing program and a printing control program extending the general printing program. The information processing device, as a function of the printing control program, has the following features: The processing unit acquires information indicating the printing languages ​​that the printer can use; The user interface processing unit displays a first user interface screen showing the printed language as an option, including the information indicated therein, and accepts the user's selection of the printed language. The sending processing unit sends printing data in the selected printing language to the printer.

9. A control method that causes a computer, comprising a general printing program and a printing control program extending the general printing program, to perform the following processing by executing the printing control program: The process obtains information indicating the printing language that the printer can use; The user interface processing displays a first user interface screen showing the printed language as an option, including the information indicated therein, and accepts the user's selection of the printed language. The sending process sends printing data to the printer according to the selected printing language.

Images