Program, method and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a mechanism which allows a user to easily grasp capability of a printer by an icon converted by capability information acquired from the printer.SOLUTION: A program is a program which controls an information processor 100 connected to a printer 101 for communications. The program causes a CPU401 of the information processor 100 to execute an acquisition step for acquiring capability information regarding the capability of the information processor 101, a conversion step of converting the capability information acquired in the acquisition step into an icon showing capability information, and a display step of displaying the icon converted in the conversion step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and a control method for an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, printer drivers (hereinafter referred to as "general-purpose printer drivers") that operate based on industry-standard protocols such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) have become known. By using this printer driver, print data can be generated without going through a printer driver (or print application) designed for use with an individual printing device. Patent Document 1 discloses a print control device (print client) that uses a general-purpose printer driver to control printing execution on a printing device. When a general-purpose printer driver is used, and a user registers a new printing device on the print control device or selects a specific printing device from among multiple printing devices, the print control device displays, for example, the product name of the corresponding printing device as a character string. Also, the print control device may display a bitmap image showing the appearance of the corresponding printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-113904 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even if the product name and bitmap image of the printing device are displayed on the print control device, it is difficult for the user to understand what capabilities the printing device has. For example, it is difficult to understand whether color printing and monochrome printing are possible, or whether only monochrome printing is possible. Also, for example, it is difficult to understand whether the printing method is an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a mechanism for easily grasping the capabilities of a printing device by using an icon converted from capability information acquired from the printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the program of the present invention is a program for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device, and is characterized in that it causes a computer of the information processing device to execute an acquisition process for acquiring capability information regarding the capabilities of the printing device, a conversion process for converting the capability information acquired in the acquisition process into an icon indicating the capability information, and a display process for displaying the icon converted in the conversion process. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the capabilities of a printing device can be easily grasped by an icon converted from capability information acquired from the printing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed between the information processing device and the printing device. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the information processing device. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart showing the ability display process executed in step S703 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a conversion table showing the relationship between ability information and icons. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of capability information of a printing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed between an information processing device and a printing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the information processing device. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a capability display process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of capability information of a printing device. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of capability information of a printing device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each of the embodiments. For example, each part constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can exert the same function. In addition, any configuration may be added.

[0010] <<First embodiment>> The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1000 has an information processing device 100 and a printing device 101, which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an AP (Access Point) 102 and a LAN (Local Area Network) 105. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes a mobile terminal 103 and a mobile terminal 104. The mobile terminals 103 and 104 are, for example, notebook personal computers, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc. Note that the information processing device 100 is not limited to the mobile terminals 103 and 104, and may be, for example, a desktop personal computer. In addition, the number of information processing devices 100 is two, the mobile terminals 103 and 104, but is not limited thereto, and may be one or three or more.

[0012] Examples of the printing device 101 include a printing device 101X, a printing device 101Y, and a printing device 101Z. The printing device 101 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device configured to be capable of printing, and is, for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) in this embodiment. The "multifunction peripheral" is, for example, a device having at least two functions among a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. Note that the printing device 101 is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and may be, for example, a printing device having a single printer function (SFP), a copy machine, a facsimile machine, or the like. In addition, the number of the printing devices 101 arranged is three, namely, the printing device 101X to the printing device 101Z, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, one, two, or four or more. In addition, the connection between the information processing device 100 and the printing device 101 may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0013] <Printing device hardware configuration> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing device. The printing device 101 shown in FIG. 2 has a printing function of executing a printing process based on print data received from the information processing device 100, that is, printing an image on paper (recording medium). The printing device 101 has a control unit 210, an operation unit 216, a printing unit (printer engine) 218, and a paper processing unit 220. The control unit 210 centrally controls the operation of the entire printing device 101. The control unit 210 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213, and a storage 214. Furthermore, the control unit 210 has an operation unit I / F (interface) 215, a printing unit I / F 217, a paper processing unit I / F 219, a communication unit I / F 221, and an image processing unit 222.

[0014] The CPU 211 is a computer that loads a program stored in the ROM 212 or the storage 214 into the RAM 213 and executes the program to perform print control. The program includes, for example, a control program for causing the CPU 211 to execute each unit or each means of the printing device 101. The ROM 212 stores a control program executable by the CPU 211, a boot program, and the like. The RAM 213 is the main memory of the CPU 211 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for loading various control programs. The storage 214 stores print data, image data, various programs, various setting information, and the like. In this embodiment, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is used as the storage 214, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used. Note that, in this embodiment, one each of the CPU 211, the ROM 212, the RAM 213, and the storage 214 is arranged, but is not limited thereto, and may be multiple.

[0015] The operation unit I / F 215 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 and the operation unit 216. The operation unit 216 has a display unit with a touch panel function, various hardware keys, etc., and functions as a display unit that displays various information and a reception unit that receives instructions from a user. The printing unit I / F 217 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 and the printing unit 218.

[0016] The printing unit I / F 217 receives a print job from the information processing device 100. The print job is analyzed by the image processing unit 222 and generated as image data. The image data is transferred to the printing unit 218. The printing unit 218 prints an image based on the image data on paper fed from a paper feed cassette. Although it depends on the printing device 101, multiple types of paper can be supplied from the paper feed cassette. The printing unit 218 can handle these types of paper. Note that information regarding the types of paper that can be fed by the printing unit 218 is notified to the control unit 210 in advance (for example, when the printing device 101 is started up) via the printing unit I / F 217 and stored in the storage 214 or RAM 213. Also, the printing method of the printing unit 218 depends on the printing device 101, but for example, there are electrophotographic method, inkjet method, thermal transfer method, etc. The control unit 210 is connected to the LAN 105 via the communication unit I / F 221. The communication I / F 221 transmits various types of information such as image data to the information processing apparatus 100 on the LAN 105 and receives various types of information such as print jobs from the information processing apparatus 100 on the LAN 105 .

[0017] The image processing unit 222 has a RIP (Raster Image Processor) function. This allows the image processing unit 222 to develop a print job received from the information processing device 100 and generate image data to be used for printing. The image processing unit 222 can also perform resolution conversion and correction processing of the image data. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 222 is configured with a hardware circuit (ASIC or FPGA, etc.), but is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit 222 may further have a processor for image processing purposes, and the processor may execute an image processing program to enable image processing and development processing into image data. In addition, for example, the CPU 211 may execute a program for image processing to perform image processing and development processing of image data, or image processing and the like may be performed by any combination of these. The paper processing unit I / F 219 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 and the paper processing unit 220. The paper processing unit 220 receives a control command from the control unit 210 and performs post-processing on the paper printed by the printing unit 218 according to the control command. The post-processing is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include aligning a plurality of sheets of paper, punching holes in the sheets of paper, and binding a plurality of sheets of paper.

[0018] <Printing device software configuration> Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the printing device. In this embodiment, each functional block in the block diagram shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 211 executing a program loaded in the RAM 213. As shown in Fig. 3, the software configuration of the printing device 101 includes an IPP print service control unit 301, a print job generation unit 302, a data reception control unit 303, a PDL analysis unit 304, an engine control unit 305, a job control unit 306, and a RIP control unit 312. The job control unit 306 also includes a job attribute storage unit 307 and a page control unit 308. The page control unit 308 includes a page storage unit 309 and a print control unit 311. The page storage unit 309 includes a page attribute storage unit 310.

[0019] The IPP print service control unit 301 acquires capability information (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "capability information") of the printing device 101 from the engine control unit 305 via the print control unit 311. The "capability information" is information related to the capabilities of the printing device 101, and in this embodiment, for example, the following three pieces of information related to printing that the printing device 101 can perform are listed. The first piece of information is information on whether the printing device 101 can print in color (including monochrome printing) or monochrome printing, that is, information on whether it is a color machine or a monochrome machine (print-color-mode). The second piece of information is information on whether the printing method (marker-types) of the printing device 101 is an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method. The third piece of information is information on paper (media-type) that can be used by the printing device 101. Note that the capability information is not limited to information related to printing. In addition to the capability information, the device information related to the printing device 101 includes name information related to the name of the printing device 101, which is linked to the capability information. Therefore, the device information includes capability information and name information. It is preferable that the engine control unit 305 holds the device information (capability information and name information) in advance at the time of product shipment of the printing device 101. Note that the device information may be updated when an optional device is connected to the printing device 101, when a software update is performed on the printing device 101, or the like.

[0020] Next, a process when a print job is received from the information processing device 100 will be described. The IPP print service control unit 301 receives a print job based on the IPP standard from the information processing device 100. Thereafter, the IPP print service control unit 301 transmits the print job to the print job generation unit 302. The print job generation unit 302 receives the print job from the IPP print service control unit 301. Thereafter, the print job is written to the data reception control unit 303 and registered as a new job in the job control unit 306. This requests the start of print processing. Next, the print job generation unit 302 transmits print setting information to be applied to the print job to the job attribute storage unit 307. In addition, the data reception control unit 303 is a buffer area for the print job, and temporarily stores the print job in the storage 214 for each print job. The data reception control unit 303 transmits the print job to the PDL analysis unit 304. The job control unit 306 instructs the PDL analysis unit 304 to perform PDL analysis processing for the print job. Then, the PDL analysis unit 304 generates page data including intermediate rendering data and page attributes in accordance with the PDL language specifications, and stores the data in a page storage unit 309 and a page attribute storage unit 310. The page data generated by the PDL analysis unit 304 is stored in the page storage unit 309 and the page attribute storage unit 310 for each page.

[0021] Attributes stored in the job attribute storage unit 307 include "paper type," "number of copies," "Nup (multiple printing)," "print side (single-sided / double-sided) setting," "color / monochrome," and "finishing setting," which are set as job attributes of IPP. All of these are managed in the job attribute storage unit 307 in association with a job ID. The page control unit 308 controls page analysis processing in the PDL analysis unit 304, RIP processing in the RIP control unit 312, and print control processing in the print control unit 311. The print control unit 311 acquires RIP-processed image data from the page storage unit 309, separates the image data into CMYK, and transfers the data to the engine control unit 305. The engine control unit 305 receives CMYK image data for each page from the print control unit 311, and controls the print unit 218 to perform print processing for each page.

[0022] <Hardware configuration of information processing device> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing device. As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 100 has a control unit 400, a mouse and keyboard 409, and a touch panel 408. The control unit 400 centrally controls the operation of the information processing device 100. The control unit 400 has a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage 404, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) 405, a network I / F 406, and an operation unit I / F 407. The CPU 401 is a computer that loads a program stored in the ROM 402 or the storage 404, which is a storage means, into the RAM 403 and executes the program to perform arithmetic processing. The program includes, for example, a control program (control program of the information processing device) that causes the CPU 401 to execute each unit or each means (control method of the information processing device) of the information processing device 100. The ROM 402 stores a control program, a boot program, etc. that can be executed by the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is a main storage memory of the CPU 401, and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for loading various control programs. The storage 404 stores application data, print data, various programs, various setting information, etc. In this embodiment, an SSD is used as the storage 404, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an HDD may be used.

[0023] Bluetooth 405 is for connecting and using a mouse and keyboard 409. Network I / F 406 is connected to a wireless LAN or the like. Control unit 400 is connected to AP 102 via network I / F 406. Touch panel 408 is connected to control unit 400 via operation unit I / F 407, and performs drawing on the liquid crystal screen and detection of touch input by the user. Note that, in this embodiment, one each of CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, and storage 404 is arranged, but this is not limited thereto, and multiple may be arranged. Operation unit I / F 407 is an interface that connects control unit 400 and touch panel 408. Touch panel 408 has a display unit with a touch panel function, and functions as a display unit that displays various information and a reception unit that receives instructions from a user.

[0024] <Software configuration of information processing device> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the information processing apparatus. In this embodiment, each functional block in the block diagram shown in FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 401 executing a program expanded in the RAM 403. As shown in FIG. 5, the software configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 includes a print application 501, an OS print framework 502, a data communication control unit 510, a print screen control unit 511, and an OS drawing engine 514. The OS print framework 502 includes an IPP client control unit 503 and a print spooler 509. The IPP client control unit 503 includes a print job generation unit 504 and a printer information management unit 515. The print job generation unit 504 includes a job attribute generation unit 506, a page generation unit 507, and a PDL generation unit 508. The print screen control unit 511 includes a print setting management unit 512, a preview display unit 513, and a printer information display unit 516.

[0025] The print application 501 is an application that runs on the information processing device 100, and provides the user with application functions such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. The print application 501 generates print data in addition to drawing a GUI for user operation via the OS drawing engine 514. When the user calls the print function on the print application 501, the print application 501 calls the print screen control unit 511. Each page data generated by the OS drawing engine 514 is sent to the preview display unit 513 before printing starts, and is sent to the page generation unit 507 after printing starts. The print setting management unit 512 acquires the capability information of each printing device 101, that is, the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z, via the printer information management unit 515, and generates a UI screen for print setting corresponding to the capability information of each printing device 101. The printer information display unit 516 displays the product name of the printing device 101 as the name information of the printing device 101. A print job generation unit 504 generates print jobs according to instructions from a print screen control unit 511. A printer information management unit 515 holds capability information acquired from each printing device 101. A print spooler 509 transfers the print jobs generated by the print job generation unit 504 to the printing device 101 in order via a data communication control unit 510.

[0026] Job attribute generation unit 506 and page generation unit 507 start processing upon receiving an instruction to generate print data from print screen control unit 511. Job attribute generation unit 506 generates job setting information for an IPP job according to an instruction from print setting management unit 512. Page generation unit 507 acquires page data generated by OS drawing engine 514 in page order. Thereafter, page generation unit 507 cooperates with PDL generation unit 508 to convert the page data into a PDL language that can be processed by printing device 101 and transmits the converted data. The PDL format that can be processed by printing device 101 is acquired from printer information management unit 515.

[0027] <Print sequence> FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process performed between the information processing device and the printing device. The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process from registering the printing device 101 in the information processing device 100 to printing by the printing device 101. In addition, the information processing device 100 in the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6 may be either the mobile terminal 103 or the mobile terminal 104, and the printing device 101 may be either the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, or the printing device 101Z. FIG. 9 is a conversion table showing the relationship between the capability information and the icon. The conversion table shown in FIG. 9 is stored in advance in the ROM 402 or the storage 404. As shown in FIG. 6, in step S601, the information processing device 100 searches for the printing device 101 and inquires about the capability information and name information of the printing device 101, that is, the device information of the printing device 101.

[0028] In step S602, the printing device 101 confirms the capability information and name information of the printing device 101 in response to the inquiry in step S601.

[0029] In step S603, the printing device 101 returns the capability information and name information to the information processing device 100.

[0030] In step S604, the information processing device 100 receives the capability information and name information returned in step S603. After that, the information processing device 100 displays the name information, that is, the product name of the printing device 101, in the printer information display unit 516.

[0031] In step S605, the information processing device 100 converts predetermined capability information from the capability information received in step S604 into an icon indicating the capability information. This conversion process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0032] In step S606, the information processing device 100 displays the icon converted in step S605 on the printer information display unit 516. The icon displayed in step S606 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the six icons shown in FIG. 9. The monochrome machine icon 1101 indicates that the printing device 101 is capable of monochrome printing. The color machine icon 1102 indicates that the printing device 101 is capable of color printing. The inkjet method icon 1103 indicates that the printing method of the printing device 101 is the inkjet method. The electrophotographic method icon 1104 indicates that the printing method of the printing device 101 is the electrophotographic method. The sheet paper icon 1105 indicates that the paper usable in the printing device 101 is a standard size (e.g., A size or B size). The roll paper icon 1106 indicates that the paper usable in the printing device 101 is roll paper.

[0033] In step S607, the information processing apparatus 100 stores in the printer information management unit 515 the capability information and name information received in step S604.

[0034] In step S608, the print function is called by the print application 501 operated by the user in the information processing device 100. After that, the information processing device 100 displays on the printer information display unit 516 a print screen corresponding to the capability information saved in step S607.

[0035] In step S609, the information processing apparatus 100 displays this product name on the printer information display unit 516 with reference to the name information saved in step S607.

[0036] In step S610, information processing device 100 converts predetermined capability information from the capability information stored in step S607 into an icon.

[0037] In step S611, the information processing apparatus 100 displays on the printer information display unit 516 the icon converted in step S610.

[0038] In step S612, information processing apparatus 100 accepts print settings from the user on the print screen displayed in step S608, and the print button is selected.

[0039] In step S613, the IPP client control unit 503 of the information processing apparatus 100 generates print data based on the print settings made in step S612. After that, the information processing apparatus 100 transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 101.

[0040] In step S614, the printing device 101 receives the print data sent in step S613 and executes print processing.

[0041] As described above, in the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6, the printing device 101 may be any one of the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z. Therefore, the information processing device 100 can communicate with at least one printing device 101 among the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z. For example, when the information processing device 100 communicates with the printing device 101X, the capability information of the printing device 101X is acquired, and the capability information is converted into an icon and displayed. Also, when the information processing device 100 communicates with the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z, the capability information is acquired for each printing device 101, and the capability information for each printing device 101 is converted into an icon and displayed.

[0042] <Processing procedure of information processing device> Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the information processing device. The flowchart shown in Fig. 7 shows the processing in which the information processing device 100 searches for and registers the printing device 101, and then transmits print data to the printing device 101. As shown in Fig. 7, in step S701, the IPP client control unit 503 (registration means) of the information processing device 100 judges whether or not there is a registration request from a user who wishes to register the printing device 101 in the information processing device 100. If it is determined in step S701 that there is a registration request, the processing proceeds to step S702. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S701 that there is no registration request, the processing proceeds to step S706.

[0043] In step S702, the printer information management unit 515 searches for the printing device 101 and inquires about the capability information and name information (device information) of the printing device 101 using the "Get-printer-attributes" command of the IPP protocol. In this embodiment, the capability information is inquired using the "Get-printer-attributes" command. As an attribute of this capability information, "printer-make-and-model (manufacturer and product name of the printing device 101)" is specified. Other attributes specified include "print-color-mode (printing color)," "marker-types (printing method)," and "media-type (paper used for printing)." Note that the attributes of the capability information are not limited to these, and there are many other attributes.

[0044] In step S703, the printer information management unit 515 displays the capability information acquired in step S702 on the printer information display unit 516 via the print screen control unit 511. Here, the capability display process for displaying the capability information will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the capability display process executed in step S703 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the capability information of the printing device. FIG. 10(A) shows the capability information of the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z conforming to the IPP protocol, and the name information of each printing device 101. FIG. 10(B) shows a display example of the capability information of the printing device 101X, the printing device 101Y, and the printing device 101Z converted into icons, and the name information of each printing device 101.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10(A), the printer 101X field shows the manufacturer and product name of the printer 101X, "A Inc. Printer X," as the name information, "printer-make-and-model," of the printer 101X. In addition, "color (color machine)" is shown as the print color, "print-color-mode," of the printer 101X. As the print method, "marker-types," "ink (inkjet method)" is shown. As the paper, "media-type," that can be used for printing, "stationery (standard size sheet paper)" is shown. In the printer 101Y field, the printer 101Y field shows the manufacturer and product name, "B Inc. Printer Y," as the name information, "printer-make-and-model," of the printer 101Y. In addition, "color" is shown as the print color, "print-color-mode," of the printer 101Y. As the print method, "marker-types," "ink" is shown. "Roll" is shown as the "media-type" of paper that can be used for printing. In the column for printing device 101Z, "C Inc. Printer Z" is shown as the "printer-make-and-model" name information of printing device 101Z. In addition, "monochrome" is shown as the "print-color-mode" of printing device 101Z. "toner" is shown as the "marker-types" of printing. "Stationery" is shown as the "media-type" of paper that can be used for printing.

[0046] 8, in step S801, the printer information management unit 515 (acquisition means) checks and acquires the capability information and name information to be displayed on the printer information display unit 516 (acquisition step). Here, as an example, the description will be given of a process for displaying the capability information and name information of the printing device 101X.

[0047] In step S802, the printer information management unit 515 (determination means) determines whether the capability information confirmed in step S801 can be converted into an icon (determination step). In this embodiment, the determination in step S802 is made based on the conversion table shown in FIG. 9. Table item 1111 indicates the attributes of capability information and name information. Table item 1112 indicates whether each capability information can be converted into an icon. Specifically, when table item 1112 is "YES", it indicates that the capability information can be converted into an icon, and when it is "NO", it indicates that the capability information cannot be converted into an icon. Since table item 1112 indicates "YES" for all of "print-color-mode (color printing)", "marker-types (printing method)", and "media-type (paper)", in table item 1111, they can be converted into icons. Note that "printer-make-and-model (name information)" in table item 1111 cannot be converted into an icon, and therefore table item 1112 indicates "NO". Table item 1113 shows attribute values ​​that the attribute of the capability information to be converted into an icon can take. Table item 1114 shows bitmap images of icons (monochrome machine icon 1101 to roll paper icon 1106) corresponding to the attribute values. Monochrome machine icon 1101 has an attribute value of "monochrome". Color machine icon 1102 has an attribute value of "color". Inkjet type icon 1103 has an attribute value of "ink". Electrophotographic type icon 1104 has an attribute value of "toner". Sheet paper icon 1105 has an attribute value of "stationery". Roll paper icon 1106 has an attribute value of "roll". If it is determined in step S802 that the icon can be converted, the process proceeds to step S803. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that the icon cannot be converted, the process proceeds to step S805. For example, in the case of the printing device 101X, the capability information "print-color-mode," "marker-types," and "media-type" are information that are converted into icons, so the process proceeds to step S803.Also, in the case of the printing device 101X, the name information "printer-make-and-model" is information that cannot be converted into an icon, so the process proceeds to step S805.

[0048] 9, the printer information display unit 516 (conversion means) converts the information into a predetermined icon based on the conversion table in FIG. 9 (conversion step). As a result, the capability information "print-color-mode" of the printing device 101X is "color", and is converted into a color machine icon 1102. Furthermore, the capability information "marker-types" of the printing device 101X is "ink", and is converted into an inkjet type icon 1103. Furthermore, the capability information "media-type" of the printing device 101X is "stationery", and is converted into a sheet paper icon 1105.

[0049] In step S804, printer information management section 515 causes printer information display section 516 (display means) to display the capability information converted into an icon in step S803 via print screen control section 511 (display step).

[0050] In step S806, the printer information management unit 515 determines whether or not all of the capability information to be displayed in step S804 has been displayed. If it is determined in step S806 that all of the capability information has been displayed, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S806 that all of the capability information has not been displayed, the process returns to step S801, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0051] In step S805 after step S802 is executed, the printer information display unit 516 displays the setting value of "printer-make-and-model" "A Inc. Printer X" (see FIG. 10A) as it is as a character string.

[0052] In the case of the printing device 101X, a display 1201 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. The display 1201 includes a color machine icon 1102, an inkjet type icon 1103, a sheet paper icon 1105, and a character string of the name information of the printing device 101X. In the case of the printing device 101Y, a display 1202 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. The display 1202 includes a color machine icon 1102, an inkjet type icon 1103, a roll paper icon 1106, and a character string of the name information of the printing device 101Y. In the case of the printing device 101Z, a display 1203 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. The display 1202 includes a monochrome machine icon 1101, an electrophotographic type icon 1104, a sheet paper icon 1105, and a character string of the name information of the printing device 101Z. In this way, the information processing device 100 can display an icon for each printing device 101. The information processing device 100 can also display name information together with the icon.

[0053] Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing of the information processing device 100 will be continued. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S704, the printer information management unit 515 judges whether the printing device 101 to be registered in the information processing device 100 has been determined. The judgment in step S704 is made based on whether the setting button 1204 (see FIG. 10(B)) included in each of the display 1201 to display 1203 has been operated. For example, if the setting button 1204 of the display 1201 has been operated, the printer information management unit 515 judges that the registration of the printing device 101X has been determined (registration step). Then, if it is determined that the printing device 101 has been determined as a result of the judgment in step S704, the processing proceeds to step S705. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing device 101 has not been determined as a result of the judgment in step S704, the processing proceeds to step S706.

[0054] In step S705, the printer information management unit 515 stores the capability information and name information of the printing device 101 whose registration was decided in step S704 in the storage 404 of the information processing device 100. For example, when the printing device 101X is registered, all capability information of the printing device 101X acquired by the inquiry in step S702 is stored. The same applies to the printing device 101Y and the printing device 101Z.

[0055] In step S706, the IPP client control unit 503 determines whether or not there is a print request from the print application 501 (instruction means) of the information processing device 100, i.e., whether or not there is a print instruction (instruction step) to the printing device 101. If it is determined in step S706 that there is a print request, the process proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S706 that there is no print request, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0056] In step S707, the printer information management unit 515 reads the capability information saved in step S705.

[0057] In step S708, the printer information management unit 515 displays the capability information read in step S707 on the printer information display unit 516 as a candidate for the print destination printing device 101. The process in step S708 is similar to the process in step S703, and therefore will not be described.

[0058] In step S709, the printer information management unit 515 judges whether there is a change request for the print settings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the name information of the printing device 101X, the name information of the printing device 101Y, and the name information of the printing device 101Z are displayed in order from top to bottom as print destination candidates. The top printing device 101X is set as the default print destination. The printing device 101 used last time may be set as the default print destination. To judge that there is a change request, for example, the printing device 101 of the print destination is changed, or the print settings such as "number of copies" and "Nup (consolidated printing)" are changed without changing the printing device 101 of the print destination. Then, if it is judged that there is a change request as a result of the judgment in step S709, the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, if it is judged that there is no change request as a result of the judgment in step S709, the process proceeds to step S711.

[0059] In step S710, the printer information management unit 515 determines the print settings according to the change request in step S709.

[0060] In step S711, the printer information management unit 515 determines via the print screen control unit 511 whether printing has been decided under the print setting conditions in step S710. In this embodiment, the determination in step S711 is made based on whether a print button (not shown) on the print screen has been operated. If the print button has been operated, it is determined that printing has been decided. Then, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S711 that printing has been decided, the process proceeds to step S712. On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S711 that printing has not been decided, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0061] In step S712, the IPP client control unit 503 sends print data to the printing device 101 in accordance with the information from the print screen control unit 511 and the information from the printer information management unit 515. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0062] As described above, in the information processing device 100, prior to the registration of the printing device 101 (step S704), an icon of the capability information of the printing device 101 is displayed (step S703). Furthermore, prior to the instruction to print (step S709) to the printing device 101, an icon of the capability information of the printing device 101 is displayed (step S708). Such icon display makes it easy to understand the capabilities of each printing device 101. This allows a printing device 101 to be quickly selected from among the multiple printing devices 101 that is to be registered in the information processing device 100 or that is to be used to execute printing in response to an instruction from the information processing device 100. Furthermore, iconization of the capability information improves visibility when checking the capability information.

[0063] <<Second embodiment>> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The differences from the previous embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similarities will be omitted. In this embodiment, the printing sequence does not require registration of the printing device.

[0064] <Print sequence> Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the information processing device and the printing device according to the second embodiment. The sequence diagram shown in Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing up to printing on the printing device 101. As shown in Fig. 11, in step S901, when the user invokes the printing function on the printing application 501, the information processing device 100 searches for the printing device 101 and inquires about the capability information and name information of the printing device 101.

[0065] In step S902, the printing device 101 confirms the capability information and name information of the printing device 101 in response to the inquiry in step S901.

[0066] In step S 903 , the printing device 101 returns the capability information and name information to the information processing device 100 .

[0067] In step S904, the information processing apparatus 100 displays, on the printer information display unit 516, a print screen corresponding to the capability information returned in step S903.

[0068] In step S905, the information processing apparatus 100 refers to the name information returned in step S903 and displays this product name on the printer information display unit 516.

[0069] In step S906, the information processing device 100 converts predetermined capability information out of the capability information returned in step S903 into an icon.

[0070] In step S907, the information processing apparatus 100 displays on the printer information display unit 516 the icon converted in step S906.

[0071] In step S908, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts print settings from the user on the print screen displayed in step S904, and the print button is selected.

[0072] In step S909, the IPP client control unit 503 of the information processing apparatus 100 generates print data based on the print settings made in step S908. After that, the information processing apparatus 100 transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 101.

[0073] In step S910, the printing device 101 receives the print data sent in step S909 and executes print processing.

[0074] <Processing procedure of information processing device> Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the information processing device. The flowchart shown in Fig. 12 shows the processing up to the point where the information processing device 100 transmits print data to the printing device 101. As shown in Fig. 12, in step S1001, the IPP client control unit 503 determines whether or not there is a print request from the printing application 501 of the information processing device 100. If it is determined in step S1001 that there is a print request, the processing proceeds to step S1002. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that there is no print request, the processing proceeds to step S1004.

[0075] In step S1002, the printer information management unit 515 searches for the printing device 101 and queries the printing device 101 for its capability information and name information using the "Get-printer-attributes" command of the IPP protocol.

[0076] In step S1003, printer information management unit 515 causes printer information display unit 516 to display the capability information acquired in step S1002 via print screen control unit 511. The process in step S1003 is similar to the process in step S703, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] In step S1004, the printer information management unit 515 determines whether there is a request to change the print settings. If it is determined in step S1004 that there is a request to change the print settings, the process proceeds to step S1005. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1004 that there is no request to change the print settings, the process proceeds to step S1006.

[0078] In step S1005, the printer information management unit 515 determines the print settings according to the change request in step S1004.

[0079] In step S1006, the printer information management unit 515 determines whether printing has been decided under the print setting conditions in step S1005 via the print screen control unit 511. If it is determined in step S1006 that printing has been decided, the process proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1006 that printing has not been decided, the process returns to step S1001, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0080] In step S1007, the IPP client control unit 503 transmits print data to the printing device 101 in accordance with information from the print screen control unit 511 and information from the printer information management unit 515. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1001, and the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, even when the registration of the printing device 101 is omitted and the printing device 101 is used, the capability information of the printing device 101 is displayed as an icon. This makes it easy to know the capabilities of each printing device 101, and therefore makes it possible to quickly select the printing device 101 on which the user wants to execute printing from among multiple printing devices 101.

[0082] <<Third embodiment>> Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The differences from the above-mentioned embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar matters will be omitted. In the first and second embodiments, all the printing devices 101 as candidates for registration and the printing device 101 as the printing destination are displayed on the information processing device 100. In this case, depending on the number of printing devices 101 displayed on the information processing device 100, it may be difficult to select a desired printing device 101 from among the multiple printing devices 101. Therefore, the information processing device 100 of this embodiment is configured to be able to suppress such a situation. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a capability display process according to the third embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the process from step S1301 to step S1306 is the same as the process from step S801 to step S806 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the description of the process from step S1301 to step S1306 will be omitted. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the capability information of the printing device. FIG. 14(A) is a diagram showing a state in which all the printing devices 101 as candidates for registration and the printing device 101 as the printing destination are displayed. FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a state in which the display of some printing devices 101 is suppressed, that is, hidden, as compared to FIG. 14A.

[0083] 13, in step S1307, printer information management unit 515 determines whether or not there is capability information that has been set to hidden via print screen control unit 511. If it is determined in step S1307 that there is capability information that has been set to hidden, the process proceeds to step S1308. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1307 that there is no capability information that has been set to hidden, the process ends.

[0084] The screen shown in FIG. 14(A) displays candidates 1401 for printing devices 101 and a setting section 1402 for switching between displaying and hiding each piece of capability information. The candidates 1401 include printing devices 101 registered in the information processing device 100 or printing devices 101 used for printing. In the state shown in FIG. 14(A), the setting section 1402 is set so that all capability information can be displayed. In this case, the printer information management section 515 determines that there is no capability information set to hidden. Then, the printer information management section 515 displays device information related to all candidate printing devices 101 (printing devices 101X to 101Z) and ends the capability display process. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 14(B), the setting section 1402 is set so that inkjet capability information is set to hidden and other capability information can be displayed. In this case, the printer information management section 515 determines that there is capability information set to hidden.

[0085] In step S1308, printer information management unit 515 hides the device information of printing devices 101 having capability information set to hidden, i.e., printing device 101X and printing device 101Y. As a result, as shown in Fig. 14(B), only electrophotographic printing devices 101, i.e., printing device 101Z, are displayed in candidate 1401. After step S1308 is executed, the process ends.

[0086] Thus, in this embodiment, the setting unit 1402 functions as an operation unit that performs an operation to suppress the display of the capability information (icon). When the display suppression operation is performed in the setting unit 1402, the display of the icon that is the target of the operation and the name information of the printing device 101 having the capability information converted into the icon is suppressed. This makes it possible to narrow down the candidate conditions even if there are many candidate printing devices 101, and therefore makes it easy to select the desired printing device 101. Note that, in this embodiment, the setting unit 1402 is displayed on a screen, but is not limited to this and may be configured, for example, with a mechanical button. Also, instead of the setting unit 1402, the display / non-display of the capability information may be switched by an OFF / ON operation on the icon.

[0087] <<Fourth embodiment>> Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The differences from the above-mentioned embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar matters will be omitted. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the capability information of a printing device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, in the printer information display section 516, a character string "monochrome" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to a monochrome machine icon 1101. In addition, a character string "color" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to a color machine icon 1102. A character string "ink" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to an inkjet type icon 1103. A character string "toner" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to an electrophotographic type icon 1104. A character string "stationery" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to a sheet paper icon 1105. A character string "roll" indicating the capability information is displayed adjacent to a roll paper icon 1106. This allows the user to accurately grasp what each icon indicates, thereby improving the convenience when selecting a printing device 101.

[0088] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) A program for controlling an information processing device communicably connected to a printing device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring capability information relating to capabilities of the printing device; a conversion step of converting the capability information acquired in the acquisition step into an icon representing the capability information; a display step of displaying the icon converted in the conversion step, on a computer of the information processing device. (Configuration 2) The computer may be caused to execute a storage step of storing a table showing a relationship between the capability information and the icon, 2. The program according to configuration 1, wherein the conversion step converts the capability information into the icon based on the table. (Configuration 3) In the acquiring step, name information related to a name of the printing device can be acquired, the name information being associated with the capability information; 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the display step, the name information can be displayed together with the icon. (Configuration 4) The method may be configured to cause the computer to execute an operation step of suppressing display of the icon in the display step, The program described in configuration 3, characterized in that in the display step, when the operation is performed in the operation step, the display of the icon that was the target of the operation and the name information of the printing device having the capability information converted into the icon is suppressed. (Configuration 5) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein in the display step, a character string indicating the capability information can be displayed adjacent to the icon. (Configuration 6) A registration step of registering the printing device can be executed by the computer, 6. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein in the display step, the icon can be displayed prior to registration of the printing device in the registration step. (Configuration 7) The computer may be caused to execute an instruction step of instructing the printing device to print, 7. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein in the display step, the icon can be displayed prior to the instruction to print being given in the instruction step. (Configuration 8) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein in the acquiring step, information on printing that can be performed by the printing device is acquired as the capability information. (Configuration 9) The computer may be caused to execute a determination step of determining whether the capability information can be converted into the icon, 9. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the conversion step converts the capability information determined in the determination step to be convertible into the icon into the icon. (Configuration 10) The information processing device is communicably connected to a plurality of the printing devices, In the acquiring step, the capability information is acquired for each of the printing devices, In the converting step, the capability information for each of the printing devices is converted into the icon, 10. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein in the display step, the icon can be displayed for each of the printing devices. (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device communicatively connected to a printing device, comprising the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring capability information relating to capabilities of the printing device; a conversion step of converting the capability information acquired in the acquisition step into an icon representing the capability information; a display step capable of displaying the icon converted in the conversion step.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. In addition, any two or more configurations (features) of the embodiments can be combined. For example, the display mode shown in FIG. 14 may include a character string indicating the capability information shown in FIG. 15. The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors of a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. In addition, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit that realizes one or more functions. The circuit is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 100 Information processing device 101, 101X, 101Y, 101Z printing equipment 103, 104 Mobile terminals 501 Printing Application 511 Print screen control unit 514 OS drawing engine

Claims

1. A program supporting general-purpose software that generates print data that can be printed by multiple printing devices from multiple manufacturers, a receiving step of receiving, from a target printing device included in the plurality of printing devices, capability information indicating a plurality of capabilities of the target printing device; a determining step of determining whether each of the plurality of abilities indicated by the ability information received in the receiving step can be converted into a corresponding icon; a generating step of generating icons that reflect the plurality of abilities determined to be convertible in the determining step, respectively; A program that causes a computer of an information processing device to execute a display process that displays identification information of the target printing device and a plurality of icons that respectively indicate the plurality of capabilities indicated by the capability information received in the receiving process.

2. causing the computer to further execute another receiving step of receiving the identification information of the target printing device; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the identification information and the icon received in the other receiving step are displayed in the displaying step.

3. The program described in Claim 1, characterized in that the computer is further made to execute a display control process that, when an operation to not display the icon is performed, controls the display of the icon that is the target of the operation and the identification information of the printing device having the capability information item corresponding to the icon.

4. The program described in Claim 1, characterized in that a character string is displayed on the icon.

5. causing the computer to further execute a registration step of registering the target printing device; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the generated icons are displayed before the target printing device is registered.

6. causing the computer to further execute an instruction step of instructing the printing device to print; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of icons are displayed before the printing is instructed in the instructing step.

7. In the receiving step, the capability information of each of the plurality of printing devices is received, 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of icons are displayed that respectively indicate the identification information of the plurality of printing devices and the capability information of the plurality of printing devices.

8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the general-purpose software is software that uses the Internet Printing Protocol.

9. A method for supporting general-purpose software that generates print data printable by multiple printing devices from multiple manufacturers, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, from a target printing device included in the plurality of printing devices, capability information indicating a plurality of capabilities of the target printing device; a determining step of determining whether each of the plurality of abilities indicated by the ability information received in the receiving step can be converted into a corresponding icon; a generating step of generating icons that reflect the plurality of abilities determined to be convertible in the determining step, respectively; a display step of displaying identification information of the target printing device and a plurality of icons respectively representing the plurality of capabilities indicated by the capability information received in the receiving step.

10. An information processing device having a program that supports general-purpose software that generates print data that can be printed by multiple printing devices from multiple manufacturers, The program a receiving step of receiving, from a target printing device included in the plurality of printing devices, capability information indicating a plurality of capabilities of the target printing device; a determining step of determining whether each of the plurality of abilities indicated by the ability information received in the receiving step can be converted into a corresponding icon; a generating step of generating icons that reflect the plurality of abilities determined to be convertible in the determining step, respectively; an information processing device that causes a computer of the information processing device to execute a display step of displaying identification information of the target printing device and a plurality of icons indicating each of the plurality of capabilities indicated by the capability information received in the receiving step.

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