Control program product, information processing device, and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a control program product, an information processing apparatus, and a control method that solve the problem that a user can not be able to effectively set a print queue. A first display process displays a selection screen for selecting an arbitrary printer among a virtual printer and an actual printer, in a case where a print instruction is accepted from an arbitrary application. A second display process displays a setting screen for performing print setting of the selected printer. The first display process displays a plurality of virtual printers as one print queue in the selection screen. The second display process displays the setting screen in a state in which one virtual printer used by the user can be selected from among the plurality of virtual printers.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There exists a technology that provides standard printing functions via an operating system (OS) without requiring a printer driver inherent to the printer provided by the printer vendor. Related to this technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a program for printing control software. The technology described in Patent Document 1 registers a virtual printer that supports OS standard printing software and is associated with a printing queue registered in the printing control software.

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a user uses a printer, the printer selection screen displays the printing queues of all printers, including all registered virtual printers. However, when a large number of virtual printers are registered, the selection screen displays a large number of printing queues for these virtual printers. Therefore, when a large number of virtual printers are registered, selecting the printing queue of the printer the user wants to use becomes cumbersome. Consequently, the user may be unable to effectively set up the printing queue.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-124738. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The control program disclosed herein is a control program for extending a universal printer driver. The control program causes a computer to perform the following processes: a first display process, which, upon receiving a print instruction from any application, displays a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from the physical printers; and a second display process, which displays a settings screen for making print settings for the selected printer. The first display process causes the selection screen to display multiple virtual printers as a print queue, and the second display process causes the settings screen to display a state where the user can select a virtual printer from the multiple virtual printers.

[0006] The information processing apparatus disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus that executes a control program for extending a universal printer driver, and includes: a first display processing unit that, upon receiving a printing instruction from any application, displays a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from actual printers; and a second display processing unit that displays a setting screen for making printing settings for the selected printer, wherein the first display processing unit displays the selection screen that displays multiple virtual printers as a printing queue, and the second display processing unit displays the setting screen in a state where a user can select a virtual printer from multiple virtual printers.

[0007] The control method disclosed herein is a control method for executing a control program for extending a universal printer driver, and includes: a first display process, which, upon receiving a print instruction from any application, displays a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from the physical printers; and a second display process, which displays a settings screen for making print settings for the selected printer, wherein the first display process causes the selection screen display to show multiple virtual printers as a print queue, and the second display process causes the settings screen to display a state where a user can select a virtual printer from the multiple virtual printers. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the printing system involved in Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the printing system involved in Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the display screen of the printing queue of the printer involved in the comparative example.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the structure of the information processing device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of the information processing device involved in Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the display screen of the printing queue of the printer according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 8 This is an illustration of the printing settings screen involved in the comparative example.

[0016] Figure 9 This is an illustration of the printing settings screen involved in the comparative example.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 12 This is an illustration of the printing settings screen involved in the comparative example.

[0020] Figure 13 This is an illustration of the printing settings screen involved in the comparative example.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating the printing settings screen according to Embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Implementation Method 1

[0027] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, 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.

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a printing system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The printing system 1 includes an information processing device 100 and one or more printing devices 200. The printing system 1 may also have multiple information processing devices 100. The information processing device 100 and the printing devices 200 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless network 2 in a manner capable of mutual communication. The network 2 may be, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN, or the Internet.

[0029] Information processing device 100 is a computer having a processor and memory, etc. Information processing device 100 operates through an operating system (OS) as its basic software. Information processing device 100 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). Information processing device 100 functions as an information processing terminal. Information processing device 100 can also be a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Information processing device 100 is a device operated by a user.

[0030] When a user requests the printing of an image, the information processing device 100 generates a printing task corresponding to the printing request and submits the generated printing task to the printing queue corresponding to the printing device 200 performing the printing. The information processing device 100 sends printing data representing the printing task to the printing device 200 corresponding to the printing queue. The information processing device 100 uses the general printer driver 112 (described later) and the printing assistance application 114 to enable the printing device 200 to perform printing.

[0031] Furthermore, printing data corresponds to printing commands generated through user operations, etc. Additionally, printing data includes image data printed on printing media such as paper. Image data includes, for example, document editing file data or image display file data. Furthermore, image data is an image of the printed object. Also, hereinafter, the term "image" will also refer to "image data representing an image" as a processing object in information processing.

[0032] Furthermore, the printing queue has the function of storing printing jobs while sequentially executing printing by the printing apparatus 200. Moreover, the printing queue is set up for each printer. In this embodiment, the printing queue is set up not only for actual printers (physical printers) but also for virtual printers (virtual printers). Additionally, the actual printer corresponds to the device that actually prints images on the medium. That is, the actual printer is a physical printer.

[0033] The information processing device 100 includes an OS 110, a general printer driver 112, a printing assistance application 114, and an application 116. The OS 110 is the basic software. The OS 110 controls the operation of the general printer driver 112, the printing assistance application 114, and the application 116.

[0034] The universal printer driver 112 is a standard OS printer driver. It features standard OS printing functionality, which is essential for providing standard printing capabilities within the OS. The universal printer driver 112 can be configured to universally control printers for various printers to perform printing. It can also be referred to as an OS universal printing program or a universal printing program. For example, the universal printer driver 112 can use IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) to enable IPP-enabled printers to perform printing. IPP is an example of a standard protocol for managing and controlling printers and printing. The universal printer driver 112 acquires and controls printer information through IPP-compliant communication and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) POST requests and responses. The universal printer driver 112 can configure the printer and obtain its status via IPP. It can also generate IPP-compliant printing data and send it to the printing apparatus 200.

[0035] Printing support application 114 has the functionality to extend the generic printer driver 112. That is, printing support application 114 is an application that assists the generic printer driver 112. Printing support application 114 can also be implemented, for example, through a PSA (Print Support Application).

[0036] The printing assistance application 114 is an application provided by a printer supplier or similar entity. The printing assistance application 114 may also be provided to users of the information processing device 100, for example, by being made available through an application store of an OS provider. Alternatively, the printing assistance application 114 may be included in or attached to the OS and provided to the user. The printing assistance application 114 connects to the printing device 200 manufactured by the supplier providing the printing assistance application 114 and the information processing device 100, and enables the printing device 200 to perform printing.

[0037] Printing assistance application 114 can also be a program used to assist the general printer driver 112 and enable the computer to perform printing controls adapted to the performance of the target printer, i.e., printing controls that support the unique functions of that printer. When a print job is obtained from the general printer driver 112, printing assistance application 114 can also convert the print job so that printing using the unique functions for that printer can be performed through the specified printer. Printing assistance application 114 can also convert print data into print data conforming to a vendor protocol supported by the printer corresponding to printing assistance application 114. Printing assistance application 114 can also send the converted print data to printing apparatus 200. Furthermore, printing assistance application 114 can also control printer management and printing via vendor protocols. Printing assistance application 114 can also acquire and control printer information through communication conforming to vendor protocols. Printing assistance application 114 can also set up the printer and acquire the printer status via vendor protocols.

[0038] Application 116 is any application software capable of performing processing accompanying printing. Application 116 can be, for example, document editing software, spreadsheet software, image editing software, or photo display software. Application 116 generates image data of the printed object. Furthermore, when the user gives printing instructions, application 116 can also invoke the OS standard printing functions of the universal printer driver 112. Thus, the universal printer driver 112 can use the OS standard printing functions to execute the printing of the image data generated by application 116.

[0039] The printing apparatus 200 is, for example, a printer or other device used for printing. The printing apparatus 200 corresponds to the actual printer described above. The printing apparatus 200 functions as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium. The printing apparatus 200 may also have the function of a computer. The printing apparatus 200 may also be, for example, a multifunction printer (MFP). The printing apparatus 200 receives printing data corresponding to a printing task from the information processing unit 100 and performs printing processing related to that printing data. Thus, the printing apparatus 200 performs printing.

[0040] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 200 may also send status information indicating its current state to the information processing device 100. The printing apparatus 200 may also send status information upon request from the information processing device 100. Additionally, the printing apparatus 200 may periodically send status information to the information processing device 100. The status information may, for example, indicate the operational status of the printing apparatus 200, such as "printing in progress" or "standby mode." Furthermore, the status information may also indicate malfunctions of the printing apparatus 200, such as "paper exhausted," "cap open," or "no ink remaining."

[0041] Here, the printing apparatus 200 includes printers that support OS standard printing functions of the universal printer driver 112 and printers that do not support OS standard printing functions. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the printing device 200A, which supports OS standard printing functions, can also receive printing data from the information processing device 100 through communication in accordance with IPP.

[0042] On the other hand, the printing device 200B, which does not support OS standard printing functions, cannot receive printing data from the information processing device 100 via IPP-compliant communication. In other words, the information processing device 100 cannot send IPP-compliant printing data to the printing device 200B. Therefore, the information processing device 100 cannot enable the printing device 200B to perform printing via the universal printer driver 112.

[0043] Therefore, even a printing apparatus 200B that does not support OS standard printing functions can receive printing data from the information processing device 100 through communication in accordance with the protocol corresponding to the printing assistance application 114 provided by the supplier of the printing apparatus 200B. In other words, the information processing device 100 can also communicate with the printing apparatus 200B through the printing assistance application 114 provided by the supplier of the printing apparatus 200B.

[0044] Furthermore, even for the printing apparatus 200A that supports standard OS printing functions, the information processing device 100 can communicate with the printing apparatus 200A via the printing assistance application 114 provided by the supplier of the printing apparatus 200. Thus, the information processing device 100 can use the unique functions of the printing apparatus 200A that are present in the printing apparatus 200A but cannot be executed in the general printer driver 112, to enable the printing apparatus 200A to perform printing.

[0045] Furthermore, when the information processing device 100 uses the printing assistance application 114 to enable the printing device 200 to perform printing, it registers a virtual printer corresponding to the printing device 200 in the printing assistance application 114. For example, the virtual printer 114a corresponding to the printing device 200B is registered in the printing assistance application 114. The registered virtual printer 114a operates as a printer supporting the universal printer driver 112. Therefore, the universal printer driver 112 treats the virtual printer 114a as a printer supporting the OS standard printing function and operates accordingly. That is, the universal printer driver 112 outputs printing data conforming to IPP to the virtual printer 114a. In other words, the universal printer driver 112 submits the printing job to the printing queue of the virtual printer 114a. The printing assistance application 114 converts the printing data output to the virtual printer 114a into printing data conforming to the vendor protocol and sends it to the printing device 200B.

[0046] Here, a comparative example, such as the technology in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, will be described. When a print request is made through user operation, application 116 outputs image data of the object to be printed to general-purpose printer driver 112. General-purpose printer driver 112 generates a print job based on the image data and print settings. The generated print job is submitted to the print queue of the OS standard print function. Regarding print settings, they can be pre-input by the user in the settings screen provided by general-purpose printer driver 112. General-purpose printer driver 112 processes the print jobs submitted to the print queue sequentially.

[0047] In this comparative example, to use the printing assistance application 114 from application 116, it is necessary to register both the printing queue of the standard OS printing function and the printing queue in the printing assistance application 114. Furthermore, the printing queue in the printing assistance application 114 is used to control the printing data output from the virtual printer. By registering the printing queue in the printing assistance application 114, the printing assistance application 114 starts the virtual printer. Then, the printing assistance application 114 specifies the virtual printer and automatically registers the printing queue in the general printer driver 112. Moreover, through the functions of the general printer driver 112, a list of the registered printing queues can be displayed.

[0048] Here, in the printing assistance application 114, printing queues (virtual printer queues) of virtual printers pre-defined by the supplier are registered in advance. Furthermore, sometimes the printing assistance application 114 pre-registers printing queues of virtual printers corresponding to all models of printers provided by that supplier. Depending on the supplier, there may sometimes be hundreds of different models. In this case, printing queues of many virtual printers are pre-registered in the printing assistance application 114. In such cases, it is possible to display many virtual printer printing queues in the overview of printing queues displayed through the functions of the general printer driver 112.

[0049] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the print queue display screen Im10 of the printer involved in the comparative example. Display screen Im10 is displayed on the information processing device 100, for example, via the OS standard printing function of the universal printer driver 112. That is, display screen Im10 is displayed by the universal printer driver 112. Display screen Im10 displays a list of printers that can be used in the information processing device 100. Figure 3 In the example, screen Im10 displays the print queues of virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. Additionally, screen Im10 displays the print queues of actual printers A, B, C, D, and E. Thus, displaying the print queues of many virtual printers becomes very complex for the user who wants to view an overview of the printers. Furthermore, when the user wants to print, if... Figure 3 The illustrated scenario similarly presents numerous virtual printer queues on the printer selection screen, making it cumbersome for users to choose the desired printer's queue. Consequently, users may be unable to effectively configure the print queue.

[0050] In contrast, the printing system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is configured to solve this problem. Specifically, the information processing device 100 performs a first display process, that is, when a printing instruction is received from any application, it displays a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from the actual printers. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 performs a second display process, that is, it displays a setting screen for making printing settings for the selected printer. Here, the first display process displays a selection screen that displays multiple virtual printers as a single printing queue, i.e., a unified virtual printer queue. Furthermore, the second display process displays a setting screen in a state where the user can select a virtual printer from multiple virtual printers. With this structure, even when many virtual printers are registered in the printing assistance application 114, the user can easily select the printing queue of the printer they want to use. Therefore, the user can efficiently set the printing queue.

[0051] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the hardware structure of the information processing apparatus 100. As the main hardware structure, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a processing unit 102, a storage unit 104, a communication unit 106, and an interface unit 108. The processing unit 102, storage unit 104, communication unit 106, and interface unit 108 can also be interconnected via a data bus or the like. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 200 may also have... Figure 4 The hardware structure shown.

[0052] The processing unit 102 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 102 may also have multiple processors. The processing unit 102 functions as a computing device that performs control processing and arithmetic processing. The processing unit 102 controls the storage unit 104, the communication unit 106, and the interface unit 108.

[0053] Storage unit 104 is a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. Storage unit 104 may be, for example, ROM (Read-Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). Storage unit 104 may also have multiple memories. Storage unit 104 has the function of storing control programs and calculation programs executed by processing unit 102. Furthermore, storage unit 104 has the function of temporarily storing processed data. Storage unit 104 may include a database.

[0054] The communication unit 106 performs the processing required for the information processing device 100 to communicate with other devices via a network. The communication unit 106 may include a communication port, router, firewall, etc. The communication unit 106 may also perform processing for communication between the information processing device 100 and the printing device 200. The communication unit 106 may also implement processing for communication with the printing device 200 by complying with protocols (IPP or vendor protocols, etc.) required for communication with the printing device 200.

[0055] Interface unit 108 is, for example, a user interface. Interface unit 108 receives data input from the user of information processing device 100 and outputs information to the user. Interface unit 108 has a display unit 108a and an operation unit 108b. Display unit 108a is, for example, a display device that displays images, such as a monitor. Display unit 108a is an output device for outputting information. Operation unit 108b is, for example, an input device for inputting or selecting information, such as a keyboard or mouse. Operation unit 108b is an input device for inputting information. Interface unit 108 may also be configured such as a touch screen or touch panel, where the input and output devices are integrated. In this case, display unit 108a and operation unit 108b may also be physically integrated. Furthermore, interface unit 108 may also have a speaker and a microphone.

[0056] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the structural elements of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. As structural elements, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes the aforementioned OS 110, universal printer driver 112, printing assistance application 114, and application 116. Furthermore, as a structural element, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a control program 120. As a structural element, the control program 120 includes a virtual printer registration unit 122, a virtual printer storage unit 124, a first display processing unit 130, a status acquisition unit 140, a second display processing unit 150, and a printing control unit 160. Each structural element of the control program 120 can be operated via the OS 110, which is the basic software.

[0057] Furthermore, the aforementioned structural elements can be implemented by executing a program under the control of the processing unit 102. More specifically, each structural element can be implemented by the processing unit 102 executing a program stored in the storage unit 104. Alternatively, the required program can be recorded on any non-volatile recording medium and downloaded as needed to implement each structural element.

[0058] Furthermore, the structural elements are not limited to being implemented through software composed of programs; they can also be implemented through any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Additionally, the structural elements 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 the aforementioned structural elements.

[0059] The control program 120 is controlled in such a manner that printing is performed by the printing apparatus 200. The control program 120 performs the first display processing and the second display processing described above. Alternatively, the control program 120 can also be implemented using the printing auxiliary application 114. That is, the control program 120 can also be implemented using a PSA (Printing Support Assist).

[0060] The virtual printer registration unit 122 performs registration processing to register the virtual printer in the printing assistance application 114. In other words, the virtual printer registration unit 122 performs registration processing to register the virtual printer in the control program 120. The virtual printer registration unit 122 registers virtual printers related to printers (printing devices 200) that require printing using the virtual printer to be performed via the printing assistance application 114. The virtual printer registration unit 122 also registers virtual printers related to printers that do not support the OS standard printing functions of the universal printer driver 112. For example, in... Figure 2 In the example, the virtual printer registration unit 122 registers the virtual printer 114a associated with the printing device 200B. Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register virtual printers associated with printers (printing devices 200) that support OS standard printing functions but have functions that cannot be performed through OS standard printing functions.

[0061] The virtual printer registration unit 122 registers virtual printers associated with printer models available to the user. For example, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register virtual printers associated with printing devices 200 that are communicatively connected to the information processing unit 100. In this case, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register the virtual printer corresponding to the printing device 200 by registering the model information of the printing device 200 connected to the information processing unit 100. In this case, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also obtain the model information from the printing device 200 connected to the information processing unit 100. Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register information about printing settings that can be set in the printing device 200 along with the corresponding virtual printer based on the obtained model information. For example, if an A3-size print can be performed in a certain printing device 200, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can register the ability to set A3-size print when registering the virtual printer corresponding to that printing device 200. Furthermore, for example, if color printing is possible in a certain printing device 200, the virtual printer registration unit 122 may also register the ability to set color printing when registering a virtual printer corresponding to the printing device 200.

[0062] Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register a virtual printer by selecting a virtual printer related to the printing device 200 connected to the information processing device 100 from among multiple virtual printers pre-registered in the printing assistance application 114. Additionally, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register a virtual printer by retrieving a virtual printer related to the printing device 200 connected to the information processing device 100 from a database such as a server that establishes a correspondence between printer models and virtual printers. Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also register a virtual printer through user operation of the operation unit 108b. Moreover, the user can arbitrarily set the display name of the virtual printer to be registered by operating the operation unit 108b.

[0063] In Embodiment 1, the virtual printers associated with the printer models available to the user are those virtual printers that should be registered as a unified virtual printer queue. That is, the virtual printer registration unit 122 registers virtual printers that should be registered as a unified virtual printer queue. Therefore, the virtual printers registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122 are displayed as a "unified virtual printer queue" in the first display process described later. Furthermore, the printing queue of the virtual printers registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122 is displayed in a manner selectable by the user in the second display process described later.

[0064] Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 registers a unified virtual printer queue in the OS standard printing function of the general printer driver 112. Specifically, the virtual printer registration unit 122 processes the process to include the unified virtual printer queue in the printing queue of the OS standard printing function. In other words, the virtual printer registration unit 122 processes the process to display a unified virtual printer queue in the printing queue of the OS standard printing function instead of multiple virtual printer printing queues. The virtual printer registration unit 122 can also process the process to display the unified virtual printer queue in a list of printer printing queues displayed in the OS standard printing function. Furthermore, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also process the process to display the unified virtual printer queue in the printer selection screen when the OS standard printing function is invoked by making a printing instruction through any application 116. In this case, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also associate the printing assistance application 114 with the OS standard printing function to display the unified virtual printer queue in the printer selection screen of any application 116. For example, the virtual printer registration unit 122 can also process the OS standard printing functions so that the printing assistance application 114 can act as a printer in the "unified virtual printer queue".

[0065] The virtual printer storage unit 124 stores virtual printers registered through the registration process of the virtual printer registration unit 122. The virtual printer storage unit 124 can be implemented using the storage unit 104. Furthermore, the virtual printer storage unit 124 can also establish and store a correspondence between virtual printers and printing settings that can be configured in those virtual printers. On the printer overview display screen shown via the OS standard printing function, the printing queues of individual virtual printers registered by the virtual printer storage unit 124 are not displayed; instead, a unified virtual printer queue is shown. Similarly, on the printer selection screen displayed with the printing instruction of application 116, the printing queues of individual virtual printers registered by the virtual printer storage unit 124 are not displayed; instead, a unified virtual printer queue is shown.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the display screen Im11 of the printing queue of the printer according to Embodiment 1. The display screen Im11 is displayed on the display unit 108a of the information processing device 100, for example, via the OS standard printing function of the universal printer driver 112. The display screen Im11 is displayed via the universal printer driver 112. The display screen Im11 can also be displayed via the first display processing unit 130, which will be described later. Figure 6 Corresponding to Figure 3 The illustrated display screen shows improvements to Im10. In Figure 6In the example, screen Im11 displays a "Unified Virtual Printer Queue" instead of the one shown in the example. Figure 3 The illustrated display screen Im10 shows the printing queues of virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. Additionally, display screen Im11 shows the printing queues of actual printers A, B, C, D, and E.

[0067] Thus, the display screen Im11 according to Embodiment 1 displays the printing queue of the virtual printer as a unified virtual printer queue, thereby reducing the complexity when the user browses printers. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the printer selection screen described later also displays the printing queue of the virtual printer as a unified virtual printer queue, similar to the example of display screen Im11. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the complexity when the user selects the printer to be used for printing.

[0068] The first display processing unit 130 performs the first display processing described above. The first display processing unit 130 causes the display unit 108a to display a selection screen for selecting a printer. When a printing instruction is received from any application 116, the first display processing unit 130 displays a selection screen for selecting either a virtual printer or any physical printer. The first display processing unit 130 displays the selection screen in a manner that displays multiple virtual printers as a single printing queue, i.e., a unified virtual printer queue. The selection screen displayed by the first display processing unit 130 displays a unified virtual printer queue and a printing queue for one or more physical printers. The first display processing unit 130 accepts user selection operations on the selection screen. Additionally, the user performs selection operations on the selection screen using the operation unit 108b. An example of a printer selection screen will be described later.

[0069] Alternatively, the first display processing unit 130 can also display a printer selection screen via the OS standard printing function based on the universal printer driver 112. In this case, the first display processing unit 130 can also process the universal printer driver 112 to display the printing queues of multiple virtual printers as a unified virtual printer queue in the selection screen displayed via the OS standard printing function. Furthermore, the first display processing unit 130 can also display the printer selection screen on the screen used for printing settings via the application 116 that makes printing instructions. In this case, the first display processing unit 130 can also process the universal printer driver 112 to display a unified virtual printer queue in the printer selection screen displayed on the screen for printing settings via the application 116.

[0070] The status acquisition unit 140 acquires the status information of the printing apparatus 200, which is the actual printer. The status acquisition unit 140 may also send a command to the printing apparatus 200 requesting that it send the status information to the information processing device 100. The printing apparatus 200 may also respond to the request and send the status information to the information processing device 100. The status acquisition unit 140 may also be implemented by the communication unit 106.

[0071] The second display processing unit 150 performs the second display processing described above. The second display processing unit 150 causes the display unit 108a to display a setting screen, i.e., a print setting screen, for making print settings for the selected printer. Alternatively, the second display processing unit 150 can also display the print setting screen via the functions of the print assistance application 114. In other words, print settings based on the print setting screen displayed by the second display processing unit 150 can be made by the print assistance application 114. The second display processing unit 150 can also, for example, display the print setting screen as a print dialog box.

[0072] The second display processing unit 150 displays a print settings screen when a printer's print queue has been selected from the printer selection screen displayed by the first display processing unit 130. The second display processing unit 150 also displays a print settings screen when the user can select one virtual printer from multiple virtual printers. Here, when a unified virtual printer queue has been selected from the printer selection screen displayed by the first display processing unit, the second display processing unit 150 displays a print settings screen displaying the print queues of multiple virtual printers. In other words, when a unified virtual printer queue has been selected, the second display processing unit 150 displays a print settings screen that displays the print queues of multiple virtual printers in a manner that allows selection of any one of the multiple virtual printers. Furthermore, the user performs setting operations on the print settings screen and virtual printer selection operations using the operation unit 108b. Therefore, the second display processing unit 150 handles the user's setting and selection operations on the print settings screen. An example of the print settings screen will be described later.

[0073] The second display processing unit 150 can also display a print settings screen showing the print queues of multiple virtual printers registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122. Thus, by performing a selection operation on the print settings screen, the user can select the desired virtual printer from the multiple virtual printers registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122. In other words, by performing a selection operation on the print settings screen, the user can select the virtual printer corresponding to the printing apparatus 200 to be used for printing from the multiple virtual printers registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122.

[0074] As described above, in the printing assistance application 114, virtual printers associated with all printer models provided by the supplier of the printing assistance application 114 are sometimes pre-registered. On the other hand, virtual printers associated with printer models that the user cannot use, i.e., that the user does not own, are more likely to be unnecessary for the user. Therefore, by displaying the printing queue of virtual printers pre-registered by the virtual printer registration unit 122 on the setting screen, the user can effectively select the virtual printer to use. Thus, the printing queue can be set up efficiently.

[0075] As part of the printing settings, the printing settings screen displayed by the second display processing unit 150, in addition to the aforementioned option for selecting the virtual printer the user wants to use, also displays various settings for different purposes. For example, the printing settings screen may also display settings such as paper size, single-sided / double-sided printing, and color / black and white printing.

[0076] Furthermore, the second display processing unit 150 can also display a print settings screen that allows selection of available virtual printers based on print settings other than the virtual printer selection. That is, the second display processing unit 150 can also narrow down the print queue of virtual printers and display it on the print settings screen based on print settings other than the virtual printer selection. For example, if the paper size is set to "A3 size" on the print settings screen, the second display processing unit 150 can also display only the virtual printers corresponding to the actual printer capable of A3 size printing on the print settings screen in a selectable manner. Furthermore, for example, if "color printing" is set on the print settings screen, the second display processing unit 150 can also display only the virtual printers corresponding to the actual printer capable of color printing on the print settings screen in a selectable manner. With this structure, the user can effectively select only the available printers when choosing a printer on the print settings screen. Furthermore, the standard OS printing function does not have the function of shrinking the display of the virtual printer according to the printing settings. Therefore, the above structure enables the function of shrinking the display of the virtual printer, which is a unique function of the printing assistance application 114.

[0077] Furthermore, the second display processing unit 150 can also display a print settings screen that allows selection of available virtual printers based on the status of the actual printer corresponding to the virtual printer. That is, the second display processing unit 150 can also reduce the print queue of the virtual printer in the print settings screen based on the status of the actual printer corresponding to the virtual printer. For example, if the status acquisition unit 140 obtains error information such as "paper out" from a printing device 200, the second display processing unit 150 can also prevent the virtual printer corresponding to that printing device 200 from being displayed in the print settings screen. In other words, the second display processing unit 150 can also display virtual printers corresponding to actual printers other than that printing device 200 in a selectable manner in the print settings screen. With this structure, when the user selects a printer in the print settings screen, they can effectively select only the available printers. Furthermore, since the standard OS printing function does not have the function of limiting the display of the printer's print queue based on the printer's status, the above structure enables the function of reducing the display of virtual printers, a function unique to the printing assistance application 114.

[0078] The printing control unit 160 performs printing based on printing settings set by the user using the printing settings screen displayed by the second display processing unit 150. Specifically, the printing control unit 160 performs printing using the virtual printer selected by the user using the printing settings screen displayed by the second display processing unit 150. Specifically, the printing control unit 160 instructs the actual printer corresponding to the selected virtual printer to perform printing using the OS standard printing function of the universal printer driver 112 and the printing settings set by the printing assistance application 114. The printing control unit 160 sends printing data to the printing apparatus 200. The printing control unit 160 controls the communication unit 106 to send printing data to the printing apparatus 200.

[0079] More specifically, the printing task for the object to be printed is submitted to the printing queue of the selected virtual printer via the universal printer driver 112. The printing control unit 160 then obtains the IPP-compliant printing data output from the universal printer driver 112 for the selected virtual printer. The printing control unit 160 converts the IPP-compliant printing data into printing data compliant with the vendor protocol corresponding to the virtual printer. The printing control unit 160 sends the vendor protocol-compliant printing data to the printing apparatus 200 corresponding to the virtual printer via communication of this vendor protocol. As a result, the printing apparatus 200 corresponding to the virtual printer selected in the printing settings screen executes the printing of the image data shown in the printing data according to the printing settings set in the printing settings screen.

[0080] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 7 The flowchart shown illustrates the control method executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0081] The information processing device 100 registers the virtual printer (step S102). Furthermore, the processing in S102 is performed before printing. As described above, the virtual printer registration unit 122 registers the virtual printer in the printing assistance application 114. In addition, the virtual printer registration unit 122 registers the virtual printer registered in the printing assistance application 114 as part of the unified virtual printer queue. That is, the virtual printer registration unit 122 processes the OS standard printing function of the universal printer driver 112 to display the virtual printer as part of the unified virtual printer queue.

[0082] The information processing device 100 receives a printing instruction from any application 116 (step S110). Thus, the OS standard printing function of the universal printer driver 112 is invoked via application 116. Furthermore, at this time, the universal printer driver 112 receives image data of the object to be printed from application 116.

[0083] The information processing device 100 displays a printer selection screen (step S112). Specifically, the first display processing unit 130 performs first display processing, causing the display unit 108a to display the printer selection screen. Furthermore, as described above, the printer selection screen does not display the printing queues of individual virtual printers, but displays a unified virtual printer queue.

[0084] The information processing unit 100 determines whether the user has selected a virtual printer (step S114). Specifically, the first display processing unit 130 determines, based on the printer selection screen, whether the user has selected a unified virtual printer queue or an actual printer. If the user has not selected a virtual printer ("No" in S114), the user has selected an actual printer. In this case, the information processing unit 100 sends printing data to the selected actual printer (step S116). In this case, the universal printer driver 112 can also send printing data to the printing device 200, which is the selected actual printer.

[0085] On the other hand, when the user selects a virtual printer (S114 "Yes"), the information processing device 100 displays the print settings screen (step S120). Specifically, the second display processing unit 150 performs second display processing, causing the display unit 108a to display the print settings screen. Furthermore, as described above, the print settings screen is displayed via the print assistance application 114. Moreover, the print settings screen displays the various virtual printers the user wishes to use in a selectable manner. In addition, the print settings screen displays print settings items other than those allowing selection of a virtual printer.

[0086] The information processing device 100 selects a virtual printer for printing (step S122). Specifically, the second display processing unit 150 handles the user's selection of a virtual printer on the print settings screen. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 handles print settings (step S124). Specifically, the second display processing unit 150 handles print settings other than the user's selection of a virtual printer on the print settings screen.

[0087] The information processing device 100 performs printing using the selected virtual printer (step S128). Specifically, as described above, the printing control unit 160 sends printing data to the printing device 200 corresponding to the selected virtual printer.

[0088] Example of a display screen The following explanation uses examples of displayed screens, along with comparative examples.

[0089] Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the print setting screen Im20 involved in the comparative example. The print setting screen Im20 can be displayed via application 116. In the comparative example, it is displayed when the user instructs the printing of image data generated by application 116. Figure 8 The illustrated print settings screen Im20. The print settings screen Im20 includes a printer selection screen Im201. The printer selection screen Im201 consists of, for example, a drop-down menu.

[0090] When the user interacts with the printer selection screen Im201, such as Figure 9 As illustrated, the printer selection screen Im201 displays a list of printers. In this comparative example, the printer selection screen Im201 displays both actual printers A, B, C, D, and E, and virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Therefore, displaying the printing queues of all virtual printers on the printer selection screen Im201 is cumbersome for the user.

[0091] Figure 10and Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the printing setting screen Im21 according to Embodiment 1. The printing setting screen Im21 can be displayed by application 116. In Embodiment 1, it is displayed when the user instructs the printing of image data generated by application 116. Figure 10 The illustrated print settings screen Im21. The print settings screen Im21 includes the printer selection screen Im211. The printer selection screen Im201 consists, for example, of a drop-down menu.

[0092] When a user operates the printer selection screen Im211 displayed in the printing settings screen Im21 according to Embodiment 1, such as Figure 10 As illustrated, a list of printers is displayed on the printer selection screen Im211. Here, in Embodiment 1, through the operation of the first display processing unit 130, actual printers A, B, C, D, and E, along with a unified virtual printer queue, are displayed on the printer selection screen Im211. Therefore, the printing queues of virtual printers are displayed as a unified virtual printer queue on the printer selection screen Im211. This reduces the complexity for the user when selecting a printer. When the user wants to use a virtual printer, they select from the unified virtual printer queue displayed on the printer selection screen Im211. Thus, as... Figure 11 As illustrated, this indicates that the unified virtual printer queue has been selected in the printer selection screen Im211.

[0093] Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the print setup screen Im30 involved in the comparative example. The print setup screen Im30 can be displayed via the general printer driver 112. In the comparative example, if the general printer driver 112 receives a print instruction from application 116, it is displayed via the OS standard print function. Figure 12 The illustrated print settings screen Im30. Print settings screen Im30 includes printer selection screen Im301. Printer selection screen Im301 consists of, for example, a drop-down menu.

[0094] When the user performs an operation on the printer selection screen Im301, such as Figure 13 As illustrated, the printer selection screen Im301 displays a list of printers. In this comparative example, the printer selection screen Im301 displays both actual printers A, B, C, and D, and virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, and F. Therefore, displaying the printing queues of all virtual printers on the printer selection screen Im301 is cumbersome for the user.

[0095] Figures 14-16 This is a diagram illustrating the print setting screen Im31 according to Embodiment 1. The print setting screen Im31 can be displayed via the universal printer driver 112. In Embodiment 1, when the universal printer driver 112 receives a print instruction from the application 116, it is displayed via the OS standard print function. Figure 14 The illustrated print settings screen Im30. The print settings screen Im31 includes the printer selection screen Im311. The printer selection screen Im311 consists of, for example, a drop-down menu.

[0096] When a user operates the printer selection screen Im311 displayed in the printing settings screen Im31 according to Embodiment 1, such as Figure 14 As illustrated, a list of printers is displayed on the printer selection screen Im311. Here, in Embodiment 1, through the operation of the first display processing unit 130, actual printers A, B, C, and D, and a unified virtual printer queue are displayed on the printer selection screen Im311. Therefore, the printing queues of virtual printers are displayed as a unified virtual printer queue on the printer selection screen Im311. This reduces the complexity for the user when selecting a printer. When the user wants to use a virtual printer, the user selects from the unified virtual printer queue displayed on the printer selection screen Im311. Thus, as... Figure 15 As illustrated, this means that the unified virtual printer queue has been selected in the printer selection screen Im311.

[0097] Furthermore, when a unified virtual printer queue is selected in the printer selection screen Im311, the second display processing unit 150 causes the print setup screen Im31 to display a virtual printer selection screen Im312 for selecting a virtual printer. In other words, the second display processing unit 150 displays the print setup screen Im31, which displays the virtual printer in a selectable manner. The virtual printer selection screen Im312 is, for example, composed of a drop-down menu. When the user operates on the virtual printer selection screen Im312 displayed in the print setup screen Im31 according to Embodiment 1, as... Figure 16 As illustrated, the virtual printer selection screen Im312 displays a list of virtual printers pre-registered through the registration process. Figure 16 In the example, virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, and F are displayed on the virtual printer selection screen Im312. Therefore, users can select the desired virtual printer by interacting with the virtual printer selection screen Im312.

[0098] Figure 17 and Figure 18This diagram illustrates the printing setting screen Im41 according to Embodiment 1. The printing setting screen Im41 can be displayed via the printing assistance application 114. The second display processing unit 150 can also display the printing setting screen Im41. For example, the printing setting screen Im41 can also be displayed via user input. Figure 11 Example of a printing settings screen Im21 or Figure 15 The example print settings screen Im31 is displayed by performing an operation. For example, the print settings screen Im41 can also be displayed by the user selecting the link Im212 to display the detailed settings screen when the unified virtual printer queue is selected in the printer selection screen Im211 of the print settings screen Im21. For example, the print settings screen Im41 can also be displayed by the user selecting the link Im313 to display the detailed settings screen when the unified virtual printer queue is selected in the printer selection screen Im311 of the print settings screen Im31.

[0099] The print settings screen Im41 displays a virtual printer selection screen Im411 for selecting a virtual printer and a print settings area Im412. The print settings area Im412 is an area for making print settings other than selecting a virtual printer. The virtual printer selection screen Im411 is, for example, composed of a drop-down menu. When a user operates the virtual printer selection screen Im411 displayed in the print settings screen Im41 according to Embodiment 1, such as... Figure 18 As illustrated, the virtual printer selection screen Im411 displays a list of virtual printers registered through the registration process. Figure 18 In the example, virtual printers A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are displayed on the virtual printer selection screen Im411. Therefore, users can select the desired virtual printer by interacting with the virtual printer selection screen Im411.

[0100] Alternatively, when the user operates the virtual printer selection screen Im411, the virtual printer selection screen Im411 can display a list of virtual printers corresponding to the printing settings set in the printing settings area Im412. For example, if virtual printer G does not correspond to A3 size printing, and the paper size is set to "A3" in the printing settings area Im412, then the virtual printer selection screen Im411 may not display virtual printer G. Furthermore, it can be configured so that when the user selects a virtual printer in the virtual printer selection screen Im411, printing settings that cannot be set by the selected virtual printer cannot be set in the printing settings area Im412. In the example above, it can also be configured so that when the user selects virtual printer G in the virtual printer selection screen Im411, the paper size cannot be set to "A3" in the printing settings area Im412.

[0101] As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 executes a control program 120 that performs the following processes. When a printing instruction is received from any application, the control program 120 executes a first display process for displaying a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from the actual printers. Furthermore, the control program 120 executes a second display process for displaying a setting screen for setting the printing parameters of the selected printer. Here, the first display process displays a selection screen that shows multiple virtual printers as a single printing queue, i.e., a unified virtual printer queue. Furthermore, the second display process displays a setting screen when the user can select a virtual printer from among multiple virtual printers. With this structure, even when many virtual printers are registered in the printing assistance application 114, the user can easily select the printing queue of the printer they want to use. Therefore, the user can efficiently set the printing queue.

[0102] Variations 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, the order of the processes in the above flowchart can be appropriately changed. Additionally, one or more processes in the above flowchart can be omitted. For example, in... Figure 7 In the flowchart shown, the order of processes S122 and S124 can also be reversed. Furthermore, processes S122 and S124 can be executed in parallel.

[0103] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 described in the above embodiments is configured to display multiple virtual printers as a unified virtual printer queue when displaying a list of printers. Additionally, when displaying a list of printers, the information processing apparatus 100 can also display multiple actual printers as a unified printing queue.

[0104] In the above examples, the program includes a group of commands (or software code) used to cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments when read into a computer. The program may also be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. As a non-limiting example, a computer-readable medium or tangible 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 program product.

[0105] Symbol Explanation 1… Printing system; 2… Network; 100… Information processing device; 102… Processing unit; 104… Storage unit; 106… Communication unit; 108… Interface unit; 108a… Display unit; 108b… Operation unit; 112… Universal printer driver; 114… Printing auxiliary application; 114a… Virtual printer; 116… Application; 120… Control program; 122… Virtual printer registration unit; 124… Virtual printer storage unit; 130… First display processing unit; 140… Status acquisition unit; 150… Second display processing unit; 160… Printing control unit; 200… Printing apparatus.

Claims

1. A control program product comprising a control program for extending a universal printer driver, wherein, The control program causes the computer to perform the following processes: The first display processing, when a printing instruction is received from any application, is used to display a selection screen for choosing a virtual printer and any printer from the actual printers. The second display processing is used to display the settings screen for the selected printer's printing settings. The first display process causes the selection screen to display multiple virtual printers as a printing queue. The second display process enables the display of the settings screen to select the status of a virtual printer used by the user from among multiple virtual printers.

2. The control program product as described in claim 1, wherein, If a print queue corresponding to a virtual printer is selected based on the selection screen displayed by the first display process, the second display process causes the setting screen displaying print queues of multiple virtual printers to be displayed.

3. The control program product as described in claim 2, wherein, The control program causes the computer to further perform the registration process for multiple virtual printers. The second display process causes the setting screen to display the printing queues of the multiple virtual printers registered by the registration process.

4. The control program product as described in claim 1, wherein, The second display processing displays the settings screen that displays the available virtual printers in a selectable manner based on printing settings other than the selection of a virtual printer.

5. The control program product as described in claim 1, wherein, The second display process displays the setting screen that displays the available virtual printers in a selectable manner based on the status of the actual printer corresponding to the virtual printer.

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

7. An information processing apparatus that executes a control program for extending a universal printer driver, and has: The first display processing unit, when receiving a printing instruction from any application, displays a selection screen for selecting a virtual printer and any printer from the actual printers. The second display processing unit is used to display a settings screen for making printing settings for the selected printer. The first display processing unit causes the selection screen, which displays multiple virtual printers as a printing queue, to be displayed. The second display processing unit displays the settings screen so that the user can select one of the virtual printers from a plurality of virtual printers.

8. A control method comprising executing a control program for extending a universal printer driver, and comprising: The first display processing, when a printing instruction is received from any application, is used to display a selection screen for choosing a virtual printer and any printer from the actual printers. The second display processing is used to display the settings screen for the selected printer's printing settings. The first display process causes the selection screen to display multiple virtual printers as a printing queue. The second display process enables the display of the settings screen to select the status of a virtual printer used by the user from among multiple virtual printers.

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