Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce a print error in which print data is entered into a wrong hot folder.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus is provided, comprising: acquisition means that acquires print data including first print setting information indicating information on the settings of printing, and second print setting information set to a plurality of hot folders; determination means that determines the order of priority of the plurality of hot folders on the basis of the first print setting information and the second print setting information; and display control means that displays the plurality of hot folders on the basis of the determined order of priority.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for displaying a hot folder. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing field, where a printing company receives a request from a customer to create a printed matter, creates the printed matter desired by the customer, delivers it, and receives a fee from the customer, hot folders are widely used as a method for inputting print data into a printing device. Hot folders are classified by customer, by type of printed matter, and by print setting conditions such as substrate. Then, a large number of classified hot folders are registered in the printing device. Therefore, in the commercial printing field, it is necessary to select a hot folder appropriate for the print data from the large number of hot folders registered in the printing device.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a method for preventing jobs that cannot be printed from being mistakenly submitted to a folder icon associated with a printing device that is displayed on the UI screen when submitting print data to a hot folder using a GUI operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-2688 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to efficiently select a hot folder appropriate for print data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that it comprises an acquisition means for acquiring print data including first print setting information indicating print setting information and second print setting information set in multiple hot folders, a determination means for determining a priority order of the multiple hot folders based on the first print setting information and the second print setting information, and a display control means for displaying the multiple hot folders based on the determined priority order. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce printing errors caused by inputting print data into the wrong hot folder. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a hot folder service program. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder setting screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a hot folder setting information file. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a print job ticket. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a printer information file. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a label printing application screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a printer information folder setting screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder menu list. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder list registration screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder list deletion screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a hot folder list update process. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a hot folder setting information file. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a priority order table for hot folders. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder menu list. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a hot folder list update process. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a hot folder setting information file. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder priority order table. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder menu list. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority item setting screen. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a hot folder list update process. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a hot folder setting information file. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder priority order table. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hot folder menu list. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printability determination process. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the subject matter of the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential to the solution of the present disclosure. Note that the same components are given the same reference numbers and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) <Printing system hardware configuration> In this embodiment, an example of a printing system used in a printing process for commercial printing will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the printing system. The configuration of a host computer 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The host computer 101 is an example of an information processing device, and has an input interface 110, a CPU (Central processing unit) 111, and a ROM (Read only memory) 112. The host computer 101 has a RAM (Random access memory) 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. Input devices such as a pointing device 117 and a keyboard 118 are connected to the input interface 110. A display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115.

[0011] The host computer 101 accepts input of control data from a pointing device 117 and / or a keyboard 118 via an input interface 110. The ROM 112 is a non-volatile storage medium, and stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 111, an initialization program, and an operating system (OS). The external storage device 114 stores various programs acquired from the outside, such as application programs, and various other data. The RAM 113 is the main storage memory of the CPU 111, and is used as a temporary storage area for loading the programs stored in the ROM 112 and the external storage device 114. The CPU 111 is a central processing unit, and loads the programs stored in the ROM 112 and the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113, reads them out, and executes various controls. The host computer 101 displays image data on a display unit 119 via an output interface 115. The printing device 201 is connected to the host computer 101 via an input / output interface 116. The host computer 101 transmits a print job file (described later) or other setting information related to printing to the printing device 201 via the input / output interface 116. Note that a plurality of printing devices 201 may be connected to the host computer 101. In this embodiment, an example in which the host computer 101 is configured separately from the printing device 201 will be described, but this is not limiting. For example, the host computer 101 and the printing device 201 may be configured as a single information processing device. The host computer 101 may also be a desktop personal computer, a smartphone, or a notebook computer.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 201. The configuration of the printing device 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The printing device 201 has an input interface 210, a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213. The printing device 201 has a print engine 214, an output interface 215, an input / output interface 216, a key input unit 217, a display unit 218, and an external storage device 219. The key input unit 217 includes a numeric input key, a mode setting key, a decision key, and a cancel key. The printing device 201 accepts user operations from the key input unit 217 via the input interface 210. The display unit 218 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) and displays details of the received print data and the state of the device as image data via the output interface 215. The CPU 211 is a system control unit that controls the entire printing device 201 and executes a hot folder service program described later. The ROM 212 stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 211, a hot folder service program, and a data table. The external storage device 219 stores a plurality of hot folders registered by user operations, and stores print jobs and job tickets received from the host computer 101. The RAM 213 is used as a work memory for the CPU 211, and is also used as a buffer for temporarily storing print jobs.

[0013] The print engine 214 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording agent such as ink based on the print job file and / or print job ticket received from the host computer 101, and outputs the print result. Here, the print job file is a file that is output when print data set by a label printing application described later is input to the hot folder. The print job ticket is a file that is output when the hot folder to which the print data is input is a flexible type hot folder. A flexible type hot folder is a hot folder in which the setting value of at least one of the setting items of the hot folder can be specified by the print job ticket. In other words, the print engine 214 outputs the print result based on the print job file in which printing information is set and / or the print job ticket that specifies the setting value. In this embodiment, a PDF (Portable Document Format) file is used as the format of the print job file. Also, an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format is used as the format of the print job ticket. However, the file formats of the print job file and the print job ticket are not limited to this. By connecting the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101 and the input / output interface 216 of the printing device 201, the host computer 101 and the printing device 201 can communicate with each other. For example, a network connection is an example of the connection method, but it is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the printing device 201 is described as an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a paper surface, but printing may be performed by other methods (for example, electrophotography).

[0014] <Hot folder service program configuration> 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hot folder service program of the printing device 201. Each component, described later, operates on the printing device 201 as the CPU 211 of the printing device 201 reads and executes the program. The hot folder service program 300 has a setting unit 301, a folder sharing unit 302, a folder monitoring unit 303, a job management unit 304, and a printer status monitoring unit 305. The setting unit 301 sets the hot folder provided by the printing device 201. When an instruction to set a hot folder is given, the setting unit 301 displays a hot folder setting screen 401 shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 218.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder setting screen 401. Setting of a hot folder will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The hot folder setting screen 401 has a hot folder list 402, a hot folder registration button 403, a hot folder deletion button 404, and a hot folder edit button 405. The hot folder list 402 displays hot folders registered in the hot folder service program 300 in a list format. When a hot folder displayed in the hot folder list 402 is selected and the hot folder deletion button 404 is pressed, the selected hot folder is deleted, and the hot folder is unshared and excluded from monitoring targets. When a hot folder is not selected on the hot folder list 402 and the hot folder registration button 403 is pressed, a hot folder registration / edit screen 410 is displayed in a hot folder registration mode. When a hot folder displayed in the hot folder list 402 is selected and the hot folder edit button 405 is pressed, the hot folder registration / edit screen 410 is displayed in a hot folder edit mode.

[0016] The hot folder registration / editing screen 410 has a hot folder name setting section 411, and flexible setting sections 412, 414, and 416. The hot folder registration / editing screen 410 has a number of copies setting section 413, a substrate width setting section 415, an output profile setting section 417, a confirm button 418, and a cancel button 419. When the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 is displayed in the hot folder registration mode, each setting item from 411 to 417 is displayed as blank. When the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 is displayed in the hot folder editing mode, each setting item from 411 to 417 displays a current setting. The flexible setting sections 412, 414, and 416 are setting items for selecting whether to set the setting value of the corresponding setting item as an item to be rewritten in the print job ticket. The flexible setting section 412 corresponds to a number of copies setting section 413, the flexible setting section 414 corresponds to a substrate width setting section 415, and the flexible setting section 416 corresponds to an output profile setting section 417. When the flexible setting sections 412, 414, and 416 are in a selected state, the corresponding number of copies setting section 413, substrate width setting section 415, and output profile setting section 417 become inactive and do not accept setting input. When the cancel button 419 is pressed, the registration / editing contents on this screen are not reflected, and the screen returns to the hot folder setting screen 401.

[0017] When the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 is displayed in the hot folder editing mode, pressing the Confirm button 418 updates the hot folder setting information held by the setting unit 301 to the setting values ​​set on this screen. Also, when the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 is displayed in the hot folder registration mode, pressing the Confirm button 418 creates a new hot folder with the name entered in the hot folder name setting unit 411. Then, the hot folder setting information set on this screen is registered in the setting unit 301.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 3, the created hot folder is configured on the file system 310. A hot folder created with any one of the flexible setting sections 412, 414, and 416 selected is identified on the file system 310 as a flexible type hot folder 311. A hot folder created with any one of the flexible setting sections 412, 414, and 416 not selected is identified on the file system 310 as a fixed type hot folder 312. In other words, the fixed type hot folder 312 is a so-called fixed setting type hot folder in which specific setting values ​​are set for the setting items. Note that a hot folder is prepared for each print setting, and if even one item of print setting is set, a different hot folder is created. For this reason, as an example, the number of hot folders may reach several hundreds.

[0019] Furthermore, when a hot folder is created or when a hot folder setting is updated, the setting unit 301 outputs a hot folder setting information file 501 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder setting information file in XML format. The hot folder setting information file will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The hot folder setting information file 501 has elements 502 related to the hot folder. The elements 502 related to the hot folder include an element 503 related to the hot folder name, an element 504 related to the number of copies setting, an element 505 related to the substrate width setting, and an element 506 related to the output profile setting. In each of the elements 503 to 506, a setting value set in the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 in FIG. 4 is described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the flexible setting unit 412 in FIG. 4 is selected, the element 504 related to the number of copies setting describes "flexible" indicating that the setting can be changed. When the flexible setting is selected, not only the element 504 related to the number of copies setting, but also the element corresponding to the selected setting describes "flexible."

[0020] Returning to FIG. 3, the folder sharing unit 302 performs sharing settings for a hot folder created / edited by the setting unit 301, and performs unsharing settings for a hot folder deleted by the setting unit 301. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which SMB (Server Message Block) is used as a sharing protocol for a hot folder, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SSH (Secure Shell), or SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) may be used as a sharing protocol for a hot folder. When a hot folder is created or updated by the setting unit 301, the folder sharing unit 302 starts network file sharing of the folder using the SMB protocol. When sharing of the hot folder is started, file access to the hot folder is possible by using the SMB protocol on the host computer 101. Also, when a hot folder is deleted by the setting unit 301, the folder sharing unit 302 cancels network file sharing of the folder using the SMB protocol. When sharing of a hot folder is canceled, file access to the hot folder is not possible on the host computer 101.

[0021] The folder monitoring unit 303 monitors the hot folder and detects the print job file and / or the print job ticket. The folder monitoring unit 303 detects that the print job file has been saved in the flexible type hot folder 311 or the fixed type hot folder 312. Then, the folder monitoring unit 303 notifies the job management unit 304 of the hot folder and the print job file and / or the print job ticket, and issues a print request. When the job management unit 304 receives a print request from the folder monitoring unit 303, it performs a process for printing the print job file of the notified hot folder with the print engine 214. During this process, it refers to the hot folder setting information of the hot folder in which the print job file is stored, and performs a process for printing with the print engine 214 so as to output the image data set in the print job file according to the print setting of the setting information.

[0022] When the notified hot folder is a fixed type, the job management unit 304 performs a process for printing with the print engine 214 so as to output image data set in the print job file in the print settings of the hot folder setting information. When the notified hot folder is a flexible type, the job management unit 304 reflects the setting of the notified print job ticket to the setting item set as the flexible setting in the print settings of the hot folder setting information. In this embodiment, the print job ticket in the XML format shown in FIG. 6 is used as an example, but is not limited to this. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print job ticket. The print job ticket in the XML format will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The print job ticket 601 has a print setting element 602. The print setting element 602 describes a setting element corresponding to the setting item of the flexible setting selected on the hot folder registration / editing screen 410 in FIG. 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the flexible setting section 412 is selected, the print setting element 602 includes a number of copies setting element 603. The number of copies setting element 603 describes that the number of copies to be printed is set to 5000. 3, the job management unit 304 reflects the print settings of the print job ticket in the print settings of the hot folder setting information, and performs printing processing by the print engine 214 so as to output image data set in the print job file. Furthermore, when the job management unit 304 detects that the print processing by the print engine 214 is completed, it deletes the print job file and the print job ticket in the hot folder for which the print processing has been completed.

[0023] The printer status monitoring unit 305 monitors the printing device 201. The printer status monitoring unit 305 writes a printer information file 701 as shown in FIG. 7 to the printer information folder 313 configured on the file system 310. In this embodiment, the printer information file in XML format is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a printer information file. The printer information file in XML format will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The printer information file 701 has a printing device status element 702. The printing device status element 702 describes an element indicating the current status of the printing device 201. Specifically, the printing device status element 702 includes a Status element indicating the current printable status of the printing device 201, and a RollWidth element 704 indicating the roll paper width currently attached to the printing device 201. The printing device status element 702 describes a character string such as "Ready" when the printing device is in a printable state, and "Error" when the printing device is in an error state. 7, a value and unit indicating that roll paper with a width of 180.0 mm is loaded is described in the RollWidth element 704. If the roll paper loaded in the printing device 201 is changed and the roll paper width setting of the printing device 201 is updated, the RollWidth element 704 describes a value and unit indicating the changed roll paper width.

[0024] <Label printing application configuration> 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a label printing application that runs on the host computer 101. The print job settings and print job file will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The label printing application is an application that accepts layout settings of loaded label data and outputs a print job file and / or a print job ticket to a selected hot folder for printing by the printing device 201. An application window 801 in which label data has been loaded has a label data selection section 802, a preview section 803, a print job setting section 804, and an output setting section 805.

[0025] The label data selection area 802 is an area for selecting the loaded label data to be printed. As shown in Fig. 8, the label data selection area 802 displays the label data in thumbnail list format. Here, it is assumed that the label data of thumbnail 821 has been selected in selection frame 822 and is to be printed.

[0026] The preview area 803 is an area that displays the layout in which the selected label data will be printed based on the settings in the print job setting area 804. The print job setting area 804 is an area that accepts the settings of the print job file by the user. As shown in FIG. 8, the following settings are made in the print job setting area 804. First, in the print job setting area 804, the substrate width 811 is set to "300.0". The substrate width display 831 in the preview area 803 is displayed corresponding to the substrate width 811. Next, the number of arrangements horizontally 812 is set to "2". The setting value "2" of the number of arrangements horizontally 812 indicates that two pieces of label data are set to be arranged in line with respect to the width of the substrate. The number of arrangements 832 in the preview area 803 is displayed corresponding to the number of arrangements horizontally 812. The substrate is a recording medium such as roll paper that is attached to the printing device 201.

[0027] The number of labels arranged vertically 813 is set to "5000". The setting value "5000" of the number of labels arranged vertically 813 indicates that 5000 pieces of label data are arranged along the length of the substrate. The number of labels arranged 833 in the preview section 803 is displayed in accordance with the number of labels arranged vertically 813. The label data arranged along the length of the substrate (substrate length) may be displayed in any manner that allows visual confirmation that the specified number of label data are arranged along the substrate length, such as by displaying a scroll bar. In this embodiment, it is assumed that print data is created in which one label is arranged along the substrate length. Therefore, by setting the number of labels arranged vertically as the number of copies to be printed in the print job, multiple labels are printed consecutively along the substrate length. Next, the label interval horizontal 814 is set to "50.0". The setting value "50.0" of the label interval horizontal 814 indicates that the interval between adjacent label data in the substrate width direction is set to 50.0 mm. The interval horizontal width 834 in the preview section 803 is displayed in accordance with the label interval horizontal 814.

[0028] The label spacing vertical 815 is set to "20.0". The setting value "20.0" of the label spacing vertical 815 indicates that the spacing between adjacent label data in the substrate length direction is set to 20.0 mm. The spacing vertical width 835 of the preview section 803 is displayed corresponding to the label spacing vertical 815. In this embodiment, it is assumed that print data is created in which one label is arranged in the substrate length direction. In this case, it is assumed that a plurality of labels are continuously printed in the substrate length direction according to the number of copies setting, and that the label is arranged in a position where the spacing between adjacent labels in the substrate length direction is 20.0 mm as a print result. Next, "Coated_170um.icc" is selected as the output profile 816. The output profile 816 sets the output color of the label. The result of reproducing the output color when the profile selected in the color matching performed at the time of printing is used is displayed in the preview section 803 as a soft proof.

[0029] Next, the output setting section 805 is set by the user's operation to check the status of the printing device 201 and save the print job file. First, when the printer information setting button 818 is pressed to obtain information indicating the status of the printing device 201 to be used for printing (hereinafter referred to as printer information), a printer information folder setting screen 901 is displayed as shown in FIG. 9. Here, as described above, the printer information includes information indicating the current printable state of the printing device 201 and information indicating the width of the roll paper mounted in the printing device 201. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the printer information folder setting screen. The setting of the printer information folder for obtaining the printer information of the printing device 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The printer information folder setting screen 901 has a root folder display section 902, a folder display area 903, a folder name display section 904, a confirm button 905, and a cancel button 906. The root folder display section 902 is an area that displays the root folder of the printing device 201 by URI. In this embodiment, the host computer 101 shares the printer information folder 313 with the printing device 201 using the SMB protocol. As described above, when a hot folder is created or updated, the host computer 101 shares the hot folder with the printing device 201 using the SMB protocol. For example, if the IP address of the printing device 201 connected to the network is "192.168.0.100", the root folder display area 902 displays "smb: / / 192.168.0.100", which is a URI describing the protocol in a scheme format. That is, in the root folder display area 902, in order for the host computer 101 to access a folder including the printer information folder 313 shared with the printing device 201, the root folder in which the folder is saved is specified by the URI. The folder display area 903 displays a list of accessible folders including the printer information folder 313 under the root folder. When the user selects a printer information folder from the folders displayed in the folder display area 903, the name of the selected printer information folder is displayed in the folder name display area 904.Then, by pressing the Confirm button 905, the selected printer information folder is set as the folder for acquiring printer information. Thereafter, the printer information folder setting screen 901 is closed, and a display process is performed to return to the application window 801. On the other hand, if the Cancel button 906 is pressed, the printer information folder is not set. Thereafter, the same screen display process as when the Confirm button 905 is pressed is performed.

[0030] 8, once the printer information folder is set, the label printing application reads out the printer information file 701 stored in the printer information folder at regular time intervals. The label printing application then displays the value of the Status element 703, which indicates the current printable state of the printing device 201, in the printing device status 817. Note that if the printer information folder is not set, the label printing application cannot obtain the value of the Status element 703, and therefore the value is not displayed in the printing device status 817.

[0031] The hot folder selection section 819 is a selection area for selecting a hot folder in which print data is to be saved. When the user presses the hot folder selection section 819, hot folders that have been registered in advance and are shared with the printing apparatus 201 are displayed in a menu list format. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a hot folder menu list 1001 is displayed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder menu list. The list display of hot folders will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The hot folder menu list 1001 has a hot folder list registration menu 1003 and a hot folder list deletion menu 1004. Furthermore, when a hot folder has been registered in advance, the hot folder menu list 1001 displays a list of the registered hot folders. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10, an example will be described in which two hot folders are registered, but this is not limiting. For example, a large number of hot folders may be registered in accordance with an actual use example. When the user selects a hot folder in the hot folder menu list 1001, a selection mark 1002 indicating that the hot folder has been selected is displayed. That is, when the user selects hot folder 1, a selection mark 1002 is displayed in the list of hot folder 1, as shown in Fig. 10. The list display may be a list display of characters as shown in Fig. 10, or a list display in the form of folder icons. Also, although an example of a list display in one column is shown here, the list may be displayed in another format, such as a table format consisting of multiple rows and multiple columns.

[0032] The hot folder list registration menu 1003 is a menu for registering a hot folder. When the hot folder list registration menu 1003 is pressed, a hot folder list registration screen 1101 is displayed as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hot folder list registration screen. The hot folder list registration screen 1101 has a root folder display section 1102, a folder display area 1103, a folder name display section 1104, a confirm button 1105, and a cancel button 1106. In this embodiment, the host computer 101 shares the flexible type hot folder 311 and the fixed type hot folder 312 of the printing device 201 by the SMB protocol. For example, when the IP address of the printing device 201 connected to the network is "192.168.0.100", the URI "smb: / / 192.168.0.100" in which the protocol is described in a scheme format is displayed in the root folder display section 1102. That is, in order for the host computer 101 to access a folder including a hot folder shared with the printing apparatus 201, the root folder in which the folder is saved is specified by a URI in the root folder display section 1102. In the folder display area 1103, accessible folders including hot folders below the root folder are displayed in a list. When the user selects a hot folder to be registered from among the folders displayed in the folder display area 1103, the name of the selected hot folder is displayed in the folder name display section 1104. When the user presses the Confirm button 1105, the selected hot folder is registered in the hot folder menu list. For example, when the hot folder 3 is selected and the Confirm button 1105 is pressed, the hot folder list registration screen 1101 is closed and a process is performed to display the hot folder menu list 1011 after the list of the hot folder 3 is added. Also, when the cancel button 1106 is pressed, the selected hot folder list is not registered in the hot folder menu list. Then, the hot folder list registration screen 1101 is closed and a process is performed to return to the hot folder menu list 1001.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 10, the hot folder list deletion menu 1004 is a menu for deleting a registered hot folder. When the hot folder list deletion menu 1004 is pressed, a hot folder list deletion screen 1201 is displayed as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hot folder list deletion screen. The hot folder list deletion screen 1201 has a hot folder list 1202, a delete button 1203, and a cancel button 1204. The hot folder list 1202 displays the registered hot folder names in a list format. When deleting a hot folder from the hot folder list 1202, the hot folder is selected and the delete button 1203 is pressed, so that the selected hot folder can be deleted from the list. For example, when hot folder 3 is selected and the delete button 1203 is pressed, the hot folder list deletion screen 1201 is closed and a process is performed to display the hot folder menu list 1001 after the list of hot folder 3 has been deleted. When the cancel button 1204 is pressed, the selected hot folder list is not deleted. Thereafter, the hot folder list deletion screen 1201 is closed, and processing is performed to return to the hot folder menu list 1011.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 8, the save button 820 is a button for saving a print job file and / or a print job ticket. When the save button 820 is pressed, the label printing application saves the print data including setting information such as laid-out label data as a print job file in the selected hot folder. Furthermore, if the selected hot folder is a flexible type, the label printing application saves the print job ticket in the selected hot folder. Specifically, if the hot folder selected in the hot folder selection area 819 is a fixed type hot folder, the print job file is saved in the selected hot folder. Furthermore, if the hot folder selected in the hot folder selection area 819 is a flexible type hot folder, the print job file and the print job ticket are saved in the selected hot folder.

[0035] <Hot folder list update process> FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of hot folder list update processing. The hot folder list update processing executed by the label printing application will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The processing shown in FIG. 13 is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the like into the RAM 113 and executing it. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 13 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. The symbol "S" in the description of each process means that it is a step in the flowchart (the same applies to the flowcharts in the following specification). In addition, when the label printing application accepts input of a setting value for a setting item related to the print setting in the print job setting section 804, it executes the hot folder list update processing shown in FIG. 13. For example, when a setting value is input or changed in the substrate width 811, the number of arrangements vertical 813, or the output profile 816 related to the print setting, the CPU 111 executes the hot folder list update processing.

[0036] In S1301, CPU 111 acquires print data attributes (first print setting information) of a print job to be input into the hot folder. Here, it is assumed that CPU 111 has acquired, as print data attributes, substrate width 811 of 300.0 mm, arrangement number vertical 813 of 5000, and output profile 816 of Coated_170um.icc. Thereafter, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1302. Note that substrate width 811, arrangement number vertical 813, and output profile 816 of the print data attributes correspond to an element related to substrate width setting, an element related to number of copies setting, and an element related to the output profile, respectively, of the hot folder setting information file.

[0037] In S1302, the CPU 111 acquires setting information (second print setting information) of a hot folder that has been registered in the list. For example, as shown in the hot folder menu list 1011, it is assumed that hot folder 1, hot folder 2, and hot folder 3 are registered in the list. In this case, the CPU 111 acquires 501 in FIG. 5, 1401 in FIG. 14, and 1411 in FIG. 14 as hot folder setting information files of the respective hot folders. After that, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1303. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder setting information file. The hot folder setting information files of the hot folder 2 and the hot folder 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. The hot folder setting information file 1401 includes elements 1404 to 1406 that are set in the hot folder 2. The configuration of the hot folder setting information file 1401 is similar to that of the hot folder setting information file 501, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In hot folder setting information file 1401, element 1404 relating to the number of copies setting describes a value of "5000". On the other hand, in hot folder setting information file 501, element 504 relating to the number of copies setting describes "flexible". In other words, the number of copies of labels printed is set differently between hot folder 1 and hot folder 2. Hot folder setting information file 1411 includes elements 1414 to 1416 set for hot folder 3. In hot folder setting information file 1411, element 1415 relating to the substrate width setting describes a value of "180.0 mm". On the other hand, in hot folder setting information file 501, element 505 relating to the substrate width setting describes a value of "300.0 mm". In other words, the substrate width setting is different between hot folder 1 and hot folder 3.

[0038] In S1303, the CPU 111 determines the priority of the hot folder based on the print data attributes acquired in S1301 and the hot folder setting information acquired in S1302. In this embodiment, the priority is determined after weighting the items to be prioritized for each setting item. Here, the weight of the number of copies setting is 2.0, the weight of the base material width setting is 1.5, and the weight of the output profile setting is 1.0.

[0039] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder priority table. With reference to FIG. 15, the determination of the priority of hot folders executed by a label printing application will be described. First, for hot folder 1, the settings of the base material width and output profile are compared with the settings of the print data attributes and match. If the settings match, a weighted numerical value is added to each setting. On the other hand, the layout number vertical 813 of the print data attributes is 5000, but the number of copies setting of hot folder 1 corresponding to this is flexible. In this case, since printing is possible by outputting a print job ticket to a hot folder set to flexible, a weight of 2.0 for this setting item is further added. That is, for hot folder 1, the total weight is 4.5 as shown in FIG. 15. In this way, when the print data attributes and the setting information of the hot folder are compared and the corresponding setting values ​​match, the weight of the corresponding setting is added. Also, even if the corresponding setting values ​​do not match, if the hot folder setting is flexible, the weight of the setting is added. Next, when the weight is calculated in the same manner as above for hot folder 2, the total weight is 4.5. For hot folder 3, substrate width 811 in the print data attributes is 300.0 mm, but the corresponding substrate width setting for hot folder 3 is 180.0 mm. In this case, since the corresponding setting values ​​do not match, the weights of the corresponding settings are not added. Furthermore, when the same method is used to calculate the other setting items, the total weight for hot folder 3 is 3.0. CPU 111 determines that hot folders 1 and 2 will have priority 1, and hot folder 3 will have priority 3, in terms of the priority order based on the total of these weights. After this, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1304.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 13, in S1304, the CPU 111 determines whether or not there are hot folders of different types and with the same priority in the priority table determined in S1303. If the CPU 111 determines that there are hot folders of different types and with the same priority (Yes), the process proceeds to S1305, and if the CPU 111 determines that there are not hot folders of different types and with the same priority (No), the process proceeds to S1306. For example, for the hot folders shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 111 determines in S1303 that hot folders 1 and 2 have the same priority. The CPU 111 also determines the type of the hot folder based on whether flexible is set in the setting items of hot folders 1 and 2. Specifically, the CPU 111 determines that hot folder 1 is a flexible type hot folder because flexible is set in the number of copies setting. The CPU 111 also determines that hot folder 2 is a fixed type hot folder because flexible is not set in any setting items. That is, in this case, the CPU 111 determines that there are hot folders that are different types and have the same priority order.

[0041] In S1305, CPU 111 performs processing to lower the priority of a flexible type hot folder among hot folders with the same priority in the priority table determined in S1303. In this case, CPU 111 changes the priority of flexible type hot folder 1 from 1 to 2. That is, with regard to the priority of hot folders after the processing of S1305, CPU 111 determines that hot folder 2 will be given priority 1, hot folder 1 will be given priority 2, and hot folder 3 will be given priority 3. The reason for performing such processing is that flexible type hot folders require generation and interpretation of a print job ticket and therefore have a higher processing cost than fixed type hot folders. That is, from the viewpoint of improving the throughput of the entire printing system, fixed type hot folders are given priority. After that, CPU 111 proceeds to the processing of S1306.

[0042] In S1306, the CPU 111 updates the hot folder list based on the determined priority order of the hot folders, and ends this process. After that, when the user presses the hot folder selection section 819, the CPU 111 displays an updated hot folder menu list 1601 as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an updated hot folder menu list. Registered hot folders are displayed in a list based on the priority order of the hot folders determined in S1305. That is, the list of hot folders is displayed in order of priority from the top of the list. In addition, the hot folder 2 with the highest priority becomes the currently selected hot folder, and a selection mark 1602 is displayed next to the hot folder 2. In this embodiment, "Hot Folder 1" is displayed in the hot folder selection section 819 of the application window 801, but this is not limiting. For example, after the hot folder list update process, the hot folder selection section 819 may display "Hot Folder 2" with the highest priority in a selected state.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the hot folder list update process is executed when the label printing application accepts input of a setting value for a setting item related to the print settings in the print job setting section 804, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 111 may execute this update process in response to accepting registration or deletion of a hot folder list. In this case, when the hot folder list registration screen 1101 or the hot folder list deletion screen 1201 is closed upon acceptance of the registration or deletion, the hot folder list is updated to reflect the registration or deletion. Thereafter, a hot folder menu list reflecting the registration or deletion is displayed, allowing the user to efficiently select a hot folder suitable for printing from the displayed hot folders.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the label printing application determines the priority order of hot folders based on the print data attributes of a print job and the hot folder settings of registered hot folders, and displays a hot folder list based on the priority order. This makes it possible to easily select a hot folder for printing an image set in print data, even in an environment where a large number of hot folders are registered, and prevents printing errors in advance.

[0045] Second embodiment Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of hot folder list update processing in the second embodiment. The hot folder list update processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, only the characteristic configuration will be described below. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when an input of a setting value for a setting item related to print settings in the print job setting section 804 is accepted, the label printing application executes the hot folder list update processing shown in Fig. 17.

[0046] In S1701, the CPU 111 acquires print data attributes of a print job to be input to a hot folder. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the CPU 111 acquires the substrate width 811 of 300.0 mm, the layout number vertical 813 of 5000, and the output profile 816 of Coated_170um.icc as print data attributes. Then, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1702.

[0047] In S1702, the CPU 111 acquires setting information of the hot folders registered in the list. Here, it is assumed that hot folder 1, hot folder 2, and hot folder 3 are registered in the list. It is also assumed that hot folder setting information files 1801, 1811, and 1821 shown in FIG. 18 have been acquired as hot folder setting information files of the respective hot folders. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder setting information file. The configuration of the hot folder setting information file of each hot folder in FIG. 18 is similar to that of the hot folder setting information file 501 in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. A set numerical value or flexible is written in each element of each folder. In S1702, the CPU 111 acquires elements related to the number of copies setting, elements related to the substrate width setting, and elements related to the output profile of the hot folder setting information file of each hot folder in FIG. 18. Thereafter, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1703. In S1703, the CPU 111 determines the priority order of the hot folders based on the print data attributes acquired in S1701 and the hot folder setting information acquired in S1702.

[0048] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder priority order table. The determination of the priority order of hot folders executed by a label printing application will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The detailed calculation method of the sum of the weights is as described above, and therefore will not be described here. First, by comparing the print data attributes with the setting information of hot folder 1, the sum of the weights of hot folder 1 is calculated as 4.5. By calculating in a similar manner, the sum of the weights of hot folder 2 is calculated as 3.0. Furthermore, the sum of the weights of hot folder 3 is calculated as 4.5. Regarding the priority order based on the sum of these weights, CPU 111 determines that hot folders 1 and 3 have priority order 1, and hot folder 2 has priority order 3. Thereafter, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1704.

[0049] The processes of S1704 and S1705 are similar to those of S1304 and S1305, respectively, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that the priority order of each hot folder when the process of S1705 has been performed is shown in FIG. 19. Specifically, CPU 111 changes the priority order of flexible type hot folder 3 from 1 to 2. Then, with regard to the priority order of the hot folders after the process of S1705, CPU 111 determines that hot folder 1 will be given priority order 1, hot folder 3 will be given priority order 2, and hot folder 2 will be given priority order 3. CPU 111 then proceeds to the process of S1706.

[0050] In S1706, the CPU 111 determines whether or not there is a hot folder in the current priority order table that is set to be unable to print. If the CPU 111 determines that there is a hot folder that is set to be unable to print (Yes), the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1707, and if the CPU 111 determines that there is not a hot folder that is set to be unable to print (No), the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1708. For example, the substrate width 811 of the print data attribute of the print job to be input to the hot folder, acquired in S1701, is 300.0 mm, whereas the substrate width setting of the hot folder 2, acquired in S1702, is 180.0 mm. In other words, the substrate width set in the print data is longer than the substrate width setting of the hot folder 2, and the CPU 111 determines that printing is impossible. As a result, the CPU 111 determines that the hot folder 2 is set to be unable to print. In this case, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1707. The CPU 111 also determines whether or not the hot folders 1 and 3 are set to be unable to print. In this way, the CPU 111 judges whether printing is possible for each hot folder registered in the list. FIG. 19 shows an example of the CPU 111 judging whether printing is possible for the hot folders 1 to 3. In FIG. 19, the items for printing possible for the hot folders 1 and 3 are "Yes", indicating that printing is possible. On the other hand, as described above, the hot folder 2 is set to be unable to print, so the item for printing possible for the hot folder 2 is "No", indicating that printing is impossible. Returning to FIG. 17, in S1707, the CPU 111 removes the hot folder in the current priority order table that is set to be unable to print. Specifically, in the case described in S1706, the CPU 111 removes the hot folder 2 that is set to be unable to print from the current priority order table. After that, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S1708.

[0051] In S1708, the CPU 111 updates the hot folder list based on the determined priority order of the hot folders, and ends this process. Thereafter, when the user presses the hot folder selection unit 819, the CPU 111 displays an updated hot folder menu list 2001 as shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the updated hot folder menu list. As shown in FIG. 20, the registered hot folders are displayed in a list based on the determined priority order of the hot folders. That is, the list of hot folders is displayed in descending order of priority from the top of the list. On the other hand, the hot folder 2, which is excluded because it is set to be unprintable, is not displayed in the list. In addition, the hot folder 1 with the highest priority becomes the currently selected hot folder, and a selection mark 2002 is displayed next to the hot folder 1.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the label printing application determines the priority order of printable hot folders based on the print data attributes of a print job and the setting information of registered hot folders, and displays a hot folder list based on the priority order. In this embodiment, hot folders that are set to be unable to print are excluded from the hot folder list, so that hot folders that are set to be able to print for the print data are displayed in a list in the appropriate hot folder order. Therefore, even in an environment where many hot folders are registered, it is possible to easily select a hot folder for printing an image set in the print data, and to prevent printing errors in advance.

[0053] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, the label printing application accepts in advance a change of a priority setting item for determining the priority of a hot folder. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a priority item setting screen 2101. A change of a priority setting item for determining a priority will be described with reference to FIG. 21. The priority item setting screen 2101 has a priority setting item list 2102, a top replacement button 2103, a bottom replacement button 2104, and a confirmation button 2105. The priority setting item list 2102 displays setting items in order of priority. That is, FIG. 21 shows that the output profile has the highest priority, the substrate width has the second highest priority, and the number of copies has the third highest priority. In this case, when a setting item is selected in the list and the top replacement button 2103 is pressed, the selected setting item and its top item are replaced. That is, when the substrate width is selected in the priority setting item list 2102 and the top replacement button 2103 is pressed, the substrate width is replaced with an output file having a higher priority than the substrate width. Furthermore, when a setting item is selected in the list and the lower order swap button 2104 is pressed, the selected setting item and its lower order items are swapped. In other words, when substrate width is selected in the priority setting item list 2102 and the lower order swap button 2104 is pressed, substrate width is swapped with the number of copies, which has a lower priority than substrate width. When the confirm button 2105 is pressed, the label printing application confirms the weighting of the setting items to be used when determining the priority order, which will be described later, based on the priority of the changed setting item. Here, the following explanation will be given assuming that the priority setting items are set in the order of output profile, substrate width, and number of copies.

[0054] Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of hot folder list update processing in the third embodiment. The hot folder list update processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first and second embodiments, only the characteristic configuration will be described below. When an input of a setting value for a setting item related to print settings in the print job setting section 804 is accepted, the label printing application executes the hot folder list update processing shown in Fig. 22.

[0055] In S2201, the CPU 111 acquires print data attributes of a print job to be input to a hot folder. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the CPU 111 acquires the substrate width 811 of 300.0 mm, the arrangement number vertical 813 of 5000, and the output profile 816 of Coated_170um.icc as print data attributes. Thereafter, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2202. In S2202, the CPU 111 acquires setting information of registered hot folders. Here, it is assumed that hot folder 1, hot folder 2, and hot folder 3 are registered in the list. It is also assumed that the hot folder setting information files 2301, 2311, and 2321 shown in FIG. 23 have been acquired as hot folder setting information files for the respective hot folders. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder setting information file. The configuration of hot folder setting information files 2301, 2311, and 2321 is similar to that of hot folder setting information file 501 in Fig. 5, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. A set numerical value or flexible is described in each element of each folder in Fig. 23. In S2202, CPU 111 acquires elements related to the number of copies setting, elements related to the substrate width setting, and elements related to the output profile for each hot folder in Fig. 23. Thereafter, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2203. In S2203, CPU 111 determines the priority order of the hot folders based on the print data attributes acquired in S2201 and the hot folder setting information acquired in S2202.

[0056] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a hot folder priority order table. With reference to FIG. 24, the determination of the priority order of hot folders executed by a label printing application will be described. The detailed calculation method of the sum of weights is as described above, and therefore will not be described. First, by comparing the print data attributes with the setting information of hot folder 1, the sum of weights of hot folder 1 is calculated to be 1.0. By calculating in a similar manner, the sum of weights of hot folder 2 is calculated to be 4.5. Furthermore, the sum of weights of hot folder 3 is calculated to be 4.5. With respect to the priority order based on the sum of these weights, CPU 111 determines that hot folders 2 and 3 are given priority order 1, and hot folder 1 is given priority order 3. After that, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2204.

[0057] In S2204, the CPU 111 determines whether or not there are hot folders with the same priority among the hot folders in the priority table determined in S2203. If the CPU 111 determines that there are hot folders with the same priority (Yes), the process proceeds to S2205, and if the CPU 111 determines that there are not hot folders with the same priority (No), the process proceeds to S2206. For example, for the hot folders shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 111 determines that hot folders 2 and 3 have the same priority in S2203. That is, in this case, the CPU 111 determines that there are hot folders with the same priority. In S2205, the CPU 111 performs a process of setting different setting items and their setting values ​​for the hot folders with the same priority in the priority table determined in S2203 as character strings to be additionally displayed in the hot folder name in the hot folder menu list. For example, in FIG. 24, the hot folders 2 and 3 are hot folders with the same priority. Also, the setting value of the number of copies setting for the hot folder 2 is flexible, whereas the setting value of the number of copies setting for the hot folder 3 is 5000. That is, CPU 111 determines that there are different setting items for hot folders with the same priority in the priority table determined in S2203. Then, CPU 111 sets the different setting items and their setting values ​​as character strings to be additionally displayed in the hot folder names in the hot folder menu list for hot folders 2 and 3. In this case, "(number of copies setting: flexible)" is set as the additional display character string for hot folder 2, and "(number of copies setting: 5000)" is set as the additional display character string for hot folder 3. Then, CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2206.

[0058] In S2206, the CPU 111 distinguishes between hot folders that are set to be printable and hot folders that are set to be unprintable in the hot folder list based on the determined priority order of the hot folders. Then, the CPU 111 updates the hot folder list and ends this process. After that, when the user presses the hot folder selection unit 819, the CPU 111 displays the updated hot folder menu list as shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of an updated hot folder menu list screen 2501. First, the CPU 111 displays a list of hot folders that are set to be printable in the order of hot folder 2 and hot folder 3 based on the priority order of the hot folders. Specifically, for hot folder 2, an additional display character string 2502 is displayed to the right of the display name, and for hot folder 3, an additional display character string 2503 is displayed to the right of the display name. In order to distinguish between hot folders that are set to be printable and hot folders that are set to be unprintable, the CPU 111 determines whether or not each hot folder is printable, as was executed in the process of S1706. 24, it is assumed that hot folder 1 is determined to be set so that printing is not possible, and hot folders 2 and 3 are determined to be set so that printing is possible. Then, in order to enable the user to know which hot folders are set so that printing is possible and which are set so that printing is not possible, CPU 111 displays separator control 2504 as shown in Fig. 25. CPU 111 also displays hot folder 1, which is set so that printing is not possible, by using separator control 2504 to distinguish it from hot folders 2 and 3. Hot folder 2, which is displayed at the top of the list display, becomes the currently selected hot folder, and a selection mark 2505 is displayed next to hot folder 2.

[0059] Fig. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the printability determination process. The printability determination process executed by the label printing application will be described with reference to Fig. 26. The process shown in Fig. 26 is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the like into the RAM 113 and executing it. The process in Fig. 26 is started after the save button 820 is pressed. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the save button 820 is pressed with hot folder 2, which is set as printable, selected in the hot folder selection area 819.

[0060] In S2601, the CPU 111 acquires the current state of the printing device 201. Here, it is assumed that the CPU 111 acquires from the printer information file 701 a value indicating that the printing device 201 is in a printable state and a value indicating that roll paper with a width of 180.0 mm is installed. After that, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2602. In S2602, the CPU 111 acquires the setting information of the hot folder to which the print job is to be submitted, selected in the hot folder selection unit 819. Here, it is assumed that the CPU 111 acquires from the hot folder setting information file 2311 a setting value of the number of copies, "flexible," a setting value of the substrate width, "300.0 mm," and a setting value of the output profile, "Coated_170um.icc." After that, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2603. In S2603, the CPU 111 acquires the print data attributes of the print job to be submitted. Here, it is assumed that the CPU 111 has acquired 300.0 mm for the substrate width 811, 5000 for the arrangement number vertical 813, and Coated_170um.icc for the output profile 816. Thereafter, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2604.

[0061] In S2604, the CPU 111 determines whether printing is possible based on the current state of the printing device 201 acquired in S2601, the setting information of the hot folder to which the print job is to be submitted acquired in S2602, and the print data attribute of the print job to be submitted acquired in S2603. Here, the substrate width is set to 300.0 mm in the print data attribute of the print job to be submitted, and the substrate width in the hot folder to be submitted is also set to 300.0 mm. Meanwhile, the printing device 201 is set to have roll paper with a width of 180.0 mm. Therefore, the CPU 111 determines that printing may not be possible because the current setting of the printing device 201 differs from the setting information of the hot folder to which the print job is to be submitted acquired and the print data attribute of the print job to be submitted. After that, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2605. In S2605, the CPU 111 determines whether printing is possible. If CPU 111 determines that printing is possible (Yes), the process proceeds to S2608, and if it determines that printing is not possible (No), the process proceeds to S2606. Since CPU 111 determines in S2604 that printing is not possible, in this case the process proceeds to S2606.

[0062] In S2606, the CPU 111 displays a warning message screen 2701 as shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the warning message screen. A warning message displayed when it is determined that there is a possibility that printing cannot be performed will be described with reference to FIG. 27. The warning message screen 2701 has a warning message 2702, a continue button 2703, and a cancel button. The warning message 2702 is a message for warning the user about the contents of the setting value determined to be different in S2604. Specifically, the CPU 111 displays a message to the effect that there is a possibility that printing cannot be performed because the width of the roll paper currently mounted in the printing apparatus 201 is different from the base material width set in the print data of the print job to be input. It goes without saying that the display contents of the warning message 2702 change depending on the setting value determined to be different in S2604. After that, when the continue button 2703 or the cancel button 2704 is pressed, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of S2607. Here, it is assumed that the roll paper of the printing device is changed from 180.0 mm wide roll paper to 300.0 mm wide roll paper, and the continue button 2703 is pressed to continue saving the print job.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 26, in S2607, CPU 111 determines whether continue button 2703 or cancel button 2704 has been pressed on warning message screen 2701. If continue button 2703 has been pressed, CPU 111 proceeds to processing of S2608, and if cancel button 2704 has been pressed, CPU 111 does not output the print job file to the hot folder and ends this processing. Here, since continue button 2703 has been pressed on warning message screen 2701, CPU 111 proceeds to processing of S2608. In S2608, CPU 111 outputs the print job file to hot folder 2, which is the hot folder to which the print job is submitted. After that, CPU 111 proceeds to processing of S2609. In S2609, CPU 111 determines whether the hot folder type of the hot folder to which the print job is submitted is a flexible type. If CPU 111 determines that the hot folder is a flexible type hot folder (Yes), it proceeds to processing in S2610, and if it determines that the hot folder is a fixed type hot folder (No), it ends this processing. Here, hot folder 2, which is the destination hot folder, is a flexible type hot folder, so CPU 111 proceeds to processing in S2610. In S2610, CPU 111 outputs a print job ticket to hot folder 2, which is the destination hot folder to which the print job is submitted, and ends this processing. Here, CPU 111 outputs print job ticket 601, in which 5,000 copies are set as the number of copies to be printed, to hot folder 2, and ends this processing.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, hot folders that are set to be printable and hot folders that are set to be unprintable are identified and displayed in a list so that the user can understand them. This makes it possible to easily select a hot folder for printing print data even in an environment where many hot folders are registered, and prevents printing errors in advance. Furthermore, when saving a print job file, the label printing application acquires the current status of the printing device and determines whether printing is possible based on the acquired status, the print data attributes of the print job, and the hot folder settings to which the print job is submitted. If the label printing application determines from the determination result that there is a possibility that printing is not possible, a warning is displayed, thereby preventing printing errors in advance when saving a print job file.

[0065] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0066] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes configurations represented by the following information processing device example, control processing method example, and program example.

[0067] <Configuration 1> An acquisition means for acquiring print data including first print setting information indicating print setting information and second print setting information set in each of a plurality of hot folders; a determining unit that determines a priority order of the plurality of hot folders based on the first print setting information and the second print setting information; a display control means for displaying the plurality of hot folders based on the determined priority order; An information processing device comprising: <Configuration 2> 2. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the acquiring means acquires the first print setting information when the acquiring means accepts an input of the first print setting information. <Configuration 3> The information processing device described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means performs the display in response to a user pressing a selection area on a screen of an application that accepts input of the first print setting information, for selecting a hot folder for outputting the print data from among the multiple hot folders. <Configuration 4> The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that, when there are hot folders with the same priority level in the determined priority level, the determination means gives priority to a hot folder for which a specific setting value is set. <Component 5> 5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising: a means for excluding a hot folder in which printing is disabled from the plurality of hot folders displayed by the display control means. <Component 6> The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the display control means, when there are hot folders with the same priority based on the determined priority, displays different setting items and setting values ​​of the different setting items for each of the hot folders with the same priority. <Component 7> The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control means displays hot folders that are set to allow printing and hot folders that are set to not allow printing, based on the determined priority order. <Component 8> a determination unit that, when a printing device to be printed is selected and a hot folder is selected from the plurality of hot folders, determines whether printing is possible based on information indicating a state of the selected printing device, the first print setting information, and the second print setting information set in the selected hot folder; 8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the display control means displays a warning message when the determination means determines that printing is not possible. <Component 9> 9. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the display control means displays the plurality of hot folders in a state in which a hot folder with the highest priority is selected. <Component 10> 10. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the display control means displays the plurality of hot folders as a list. <Component 11> acquiring print data including first print setting information indicating print setting information and second print setting information set in each of a plurality of hot folders; determining a priority order of the plurality of hot folders based on the first print setting information and the second print setting information; displaying the plurality of hot folders based on the determined priority order; 23. An information processing method according to claim 22, further comprising: <Component 12> 12. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the information processing device according to claim 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 101: Host computer 111:CPU 201:Printing device

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires print data including first print setting information indicating print setting information and second print setting information set in each of a plurality of hot folders; a determining unit that determines a priority order of the plurality of hot folders based on the first print setting information and the second print setting information; a display control means for displaying the plurality of hot folders based on the determined priority order; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the first print setting information upon receiving an input of the first print setting information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means performs the display in response to a user pressing a selection area on a screen of an application that accepts input of the first print setting information, for selecting a hot folder from among the plurality of hot folders for outputting the print data.

4. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when there are hot folders with the same priority level in the determined priority level, the determining unit gives priority to a hot folder for which a specific setting value is set.

5. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for excluding a hot folder for which printing is disabled from the plurality of hot folders displayed by the display control means.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when there are hot folders with the same priority based on the determined priority, the display control means displays different setting items and setting values ​​of the different setting items for each of the hot folders with the same priority.

7. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays hot folders that are set to allow printing and hot folders that are set to not allow printing, in a distinguished manner, based on the determined priority order.

8. a determination unit that, when a printing device to be printed is selected and a hot folder is selected from the plurality of hot folders, determines whether printing is possible based on information indicating a state of the selected printing device, the first print setting information, and the second print setting information set in the selected hot folder; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays a warning message when the determination means determines that printing is not possible.

9. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the plurality of hot folders in a state in which the hot folder with the highest priority is selected.

10. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the plurality of hot folders as a list.

11. acquiring print data including first print setting information indicating print setting information and second print setting information set in each of a plurality of hot folders; determining a priority order of the plurality of hot folders based on the first print setting information and the second print setting information; displaying the plurality of hot folders based on the determined priority order; 23. An information processing method according to claim 22, further comprising:

12. 12. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the information processing device according to claim 11.

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