Printer, printer control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of improving convenience of a preset used in printing based on an IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), a printer control method, and a program.SOLUTION: A printer 101, which is capable of performing printing using an IPP preset, registers one or more print settings as one preset, and, when all of the one or more print settings belong in common to the same preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to the printing function of the printer 101, registers the preset in association with that preset group. The printer 101 prints a print job by reflecting each of the plurality of presets included in the print job when all of the preset groups associated with each of the plurality of presets included in the print job are different.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method for a printing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that allows a printing device and an information processing device to communicate based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) so that the information processing device can make the printing device print without using a printer driver designed for the printing device. Furthermore, IPP defines a specification that allows a user to save setting information related to print settings in a printing device, the printing device to transmit the saved setting information to an information processing device, and the information processing device to reflect the print settings based on the received setting information in a printed document. Such a technology is called IPP preset. With IPP preset, a user can register one print setting or a combination of two or more print settings as one preset in a printing device, and select only one desired preset from the registered one or more presets on an information processing device. Then, all of the print settings registered as the preset selected by the user are reflected in a printed document. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses IPP preset. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-97179 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the IPP presets used in the technology described in Patent Document 1, as the number of print settings that can be registered as presets increases, the number of combinations of print settings that can be registered as presets also increases. In such a case, in order to allow a user to use all combinations of print settings, it is necessary to register the same number of presets as the number of combinations of print settings, so the number of registered presets becomes enormous. In this respect, it is difficult for a user to register a huge number of presets in a printing device, and it is also difficult for a user to select one preset that he or she currently wants to use from the huge number of presets in an information processing device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide a printing device, a control method for a printing device, and a program that can improve the convenience of presets used in IPP-based printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a printing device of the present invention is a printing device capable of printing using a preset of IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), and includes: a registration means for registering at least one or more print settings in the printing device as one preset; a transmission means for transmitting preset information related to valid presets registered by the registration means to an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device; a reception means for receiving a print job including a preset selected by the information processing device from the information processing device; and a printing means for printing the print job by reflecting the preset included in the print job, wherein, when all of the one or more print settings belong in common to one preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to printing functions of the printing device, the registration means registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common, and when the print job includes a plurality of presets, and when all of the preset groups associated with each of the plurality of presets included in the print job are different, the printing means prints the print job by reflecting each of the plurality of presets included in the print job. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of presets used in IPP-based printing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a printing sequence. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of operations in communication based on IPP. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow of a printing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in a remote UI (User Interface). [Figure 10] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating examples of a preset management table and a preset group management table. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a preset is selected on the information processing apparatus. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in the embodiments. For example, each part constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Any configuration may be added. Any two or more configurations (features) of the present embodiment can be combined. Examples of application of the printing device of the present invention include, for example, a printer, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), or an image forming device that forms an image on paper by an electrophotographic method, but in this embodiment, a printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "printing device") will be described. Note that a multifunction device is a device that has at least two or more functions among multiple types of functions including, for example, a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

[0010] <Printing system configuration> First, an example of the configuration of a printing system 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing system 100. As shown in Fig. 1, in the printing system 100, a printing device 101 and an AP (Access Point) 102 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other on a LAN (Local Area Network) 103. Mobile terminals such as a tablet 104 and a notebook PC (Personal Computer) 105 are connected to the AP 102 so as to be able to communicate with each other. In the following description, when the tablet 104 and the notebook PC 105 are described collectively without distinction, they will be referred to as "information processing device".

[0011] The tablet 104 and the notebook PC 105 can communicate with the printing device 101 on the LAN 103 via the AP 102. Note that the information processing device is not limited to the tablet 104 or the notebook PC 105, and may be, for example, a smartphone or a desktop PC. Also, in this embodiment, the printing system 100 will be described with the above configuration example as an example, but is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the printing device 101 is communicably connected to at least one or more information processing devices via a network. In this case, the network may be wired or wireless.

[0012] <Printing device hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 101. The printing device 101 has a printing function for printing images on paper, and executes printing processing based on a print job received via a LAN 103. In this embodiment, a print job refers to print settings such as the number of copies, color / monochrome, single-sided / double-sided, etc., a print document to which the print settings are reflected, or a combination of both. In this embodiment, the print document is a PDF (Portable Document Format) document, but is not limited to this.

[0013] 2, the printing device 101 has a control unit 201, an operation unit 202, a printing unit 203, and a paper processing unit 204. The control unit 201 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213. The control unit 201 further has a storage 214, an operation unit I / F (interface) 215, a printing unit I / F 216, a paper processing unit I / F 217, an image processing unit 218, and a network I / F 219.

[0014] The control unit 201 including the CPU 211 is a computer that performs overall control of the operation of the printing device 101. The CPU 211 performs print control by loading into the RAM 213 and executing a program stored or stored in the ROM 212 or storage 214. The ROM 212 stores a control program, a boot program, and the like that can be executed by the CPU 211. The RAM 213 is the main storage 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 jobs, image data, various programs, and various setting information.

[0015] In this embodiment, the storage 214 is assumed to be an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), but a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) may be used. In the printing device 101, one central processing unit (CPU 211) executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 213), but other modes may be used. For example, each process shown in the flowchart described later may be executed by a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages working together. Also, some of the processes may be executed by hardware circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0016] The operation unit I / F 215 connects the operation unit 202 and the control unit 201. The operation unit 202 has a touch panel and various hardware keys, and functions as a display unit that displays information and a reception unit that receives user instructions. The print unit I / F 216 connects the print unit (printer engine) 203 and the control unit 201. Image data generated by analyzing a print job received from an information processing device is transferred from the control unit 201 to the print unit 203 via the print unit I / F 216. The print unit 203 receives a control command and a print job to be printed via the control unit 201, and prints an image on paper fed from a paper feed cassette based on the received print job.

[0017] In this embodiment, the printing unit 203 supports at least one paper type as a paper type that can be fed from a paper feed cassette. The printer attributes of the paper types that the printing unit 203 can feed are notified to the control unit 201 in advance (for example, when the printing device 101 is started up) via the printing unit I / F 216, and are stored in the RAM 213 or the storage 214. The printing method of the printing unit 203 may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printing method of the printing unit 203 may also be another printing method, such as a thermal transfer method.

[0018] The control unit 201 is also connected to the LAN 103 via a network I / F 219. The network I / F 219 transmits image data and information to an information processing device on the LAN 103, and receives print jobs and information from the information processing device on the LAN 103. The image processing unit 218 has a RIP (Raster Image Processor) function that develops a print job received via the LAN 103 and generates image data to be used for printing. The image processing unit 218 can also perform resolution conversion and correction processing of image data obtained by developing a print job.

[0019] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image processing unit 218 is realized by a hardware circuit (ASIC, FPGA, etc.), but this is not limited to this. For example, the printing device 101 may further include a processor for image processing (hereinafter referred to as an "image processing processor"), and the image processing processor may execute an image processing program to realize image processing and expansion processing into a print job. In this case, the image processing processor and the CPU 211 cooperate to realize a flowchart described later. Furthermore, the image processing and expansion processing into a print job may be performed by the CPU 211 executing a program for performing image processing, etc. Furthermore, the image processing and expansion processing into a print job may be performed by any combination of these.

[0020] The paper processing unit I / F 217 connects the control unit 201 and the paper processing unit 204. The paper processing unit 204 receives a control command from the control unit 201, and performs post-processing on the paper printed by the printing unit 203 in accordance with the received control command. For example, the paper processing unit 204 executes post-processing such as stapling multiple sheets of paper (stapling function) and punching holes in the paper (punching function).

[0021] <Printing device software configuration> Next, the software configuration of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the printing device 101. Note that each functional block shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 211 in the printing device 101 expanding a program stored in the ROM 212 into the RAM 213 and executing it. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 101 has an IPP print service control unit 301 (transmission means) (reception means), a print job management unit 302, an IPP attribute control unit 303 (registration means), and a job control unit 304 (printing means) as its software configuration. The printing device 101 further has a data reception control unit 305, a PDL analysis unit 306, an operation control unit 307, a RIP control unit 308, and an engine control unit 309. The IPP attribute control unit 303 has a preset management unit 310. The preset management unit 310 has a preset group management unit 311. The job control unit 304 has a job attribute storage unit 312 and a page control unit 313. The page control unit 313 includes a page storage unit 314 , a print control unit 315 , and a page attribute storage unit 316 .

[0022] The IPP print service control unit 301 collectively notifies the information processing device of the preset information managed by the preset management unit 310 and the functions supported by the printing device 101 as printer attributes of the printing device 101 via the IPP attribute control unit 303. Note that the preset information is information related to the presets registered in the printing device 101. Furthermore, when the IPP print service control unit 301 receives an IPP-based print job from the information processing device via the LAN 103, it passes the received print job to the print job management unit 302.

[0023] When the print job management unit 302 receives a print job from an information processing device via the IPP print service control unit 301, it writes the received print job in the data reception control unit 305 and requests the job control unit 304 to start print processing as a new job. Next, the print job management unit 302 passes information on print settings to be applied to the received print job to the job attribute storage unit 312 via the IPP attribute control unit 303. The attributes stored in the job attribute storage unit 312 include print settings such as paper type, number of copies, Nup (multiple printing), print side (single-sided / double-sided) setting, color / monochrome, and finishing settings that are set as IPP job attributes. All of these attributes are managed in the job attribute storage unit 312 in association with a job ID.

[0024] The data reception control unit 305 is a buffer area for print jobs received by the print job management unit 302, and temporarily stores each print job in the storage 214. When the job control unit 304 instructs the PDL analysis unit 306 to analyze a print job, the PDL analysis unit 306 requests the data of the print job to the data reception control unit 305. In response, the data reception control unit 305 passes the data of the print job to the PDL analysis unit 306. The PDL analysis unit 306 analyzes the print document included in the print job data, and generates intermediate data according to the analysis results. The generated intermediate data is stored in the page storage unit 314, and page-by-page information such as the width and height of each page is stored in the page attribute storage unit 316.

[0025] The page control unit 313 controls the analysis process of the PDL analysis unit 306, the RIP process of the RIP control unit 308, and the print control process of the print control unit 315 on a page-by-page basis of a print document. The page control unit 313 passes intermediate data generated by the PDL analysis unit 306 and stored in the page storage unit 314 to the RIP control unit 308. The RIP control unit 308 renders the received intermediate data to generate image data. The page control unit 313 further passes the generated image data to the print control unit 315. The print control unit 315 separates the received image data into CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and transfers the separated data to the engine control unit 309. The engine control unit 309 receives image data for each CMYK on a page-by-page basis from the print control unit 315, controls the print unit 203 via the print unit I / F 216, and executes print processing for each page. The preset group management unit 311 will be described later.

[0026] <Hardware configuration of information processing device> Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device. As shown in Fig. 4, the information processing device (tablet 104 or notebook PC 105) has a control unit 400 and an operation unit 401. The operation unit 401 has, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The control unit 400 has a CPU 411, a ROM 412, a RAM 413, a storage 414, an operation unit I / F 415, and a network I / F 416.

[0027] The control unit 400 including the CPU 411 is a computer that performs overall control of the operation of the information processing device. The CPU 411 performs arithmetic processing by loading a program stored or stored in the ROM 412 or storage 414 into the RAM 413 and executing it. The ROM 412 stores a control program executable by the CPU 411, a boot program, and the like. The RAM 413 is the main storage memory of the CPU 411, and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for loading various control programs. The storage 414 stores application data, print jobs, various programs, and various setting information. In this embodiment, an SSD is assumed as the storage 414, but an HDD or the like may also be used.

[0028] The operation unit I / F 415 connects the operation unit 401 and the control unit 400. The touch panel of the operation unit 401 functions as a display unit that displays information and a reception unit that receives user instructions. The control unit 400 also connects to the LAN 103 via the network I / F 416. In the information processing device (tablet 104 or notebook PC 105), one central processing unit (CPU 411) executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 413), but other modes may be used. For example, each process shown in the flowchart described later may be executed by a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages working together. Also, some of the processes may be executed by hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0029] <Software configuration of information processing device> Next, the software configuration of the information processing device will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the information processing device. Note that each functional block shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 411 in the information device (tablet 104 or notebook PC 105) expanding a program stored in the ROM 412 into the RAM 413 and executing it. As shown in Fig. 5, the information processing device has, as its software configuration, an OS print framework 501, a data communication control unit 502, an application 503, a print screen control unit 504, and an OS drawing engine 505. The OS print framework 501 has an IPP client control unit 506 and a print spooler 507.

[0030] IPP client control unit 506 has a printer information management unit 508 that holds printer attributes of printing device 101 acquired from printing device 101, and a print job generation unit 509 that generates a print job in accordance with an instruction from print screen control unit 504. Printer information management unit 508 acquires printer attributes from printing device 101 through data communication control unit 502. The information acquired by printer information management unit 508 is also provided to print screen control unit 504. Print job generation unit 509 has an attribute generation unit 510 and a PDL generation unit 511, and upon receiving an instruction to generate a print job from print screen control unit 504, the attribute generation unit 510 and PDL generation unit 511 each start processing.

[0031] An attribute generation unit 510 generates attribute information of an IPP job according to an instruction from a print setting management unit 512 of the print screen control unit 504. A PDL generation unit 511 acquires page data generated by the OS drawing engine 505 in page order, and generates a print document in a PDL format that can be processed by the printing device 101. The PDL generation unit 511 acquires a PDL format that can be processed by the printing device 101 from a printer information management unit 508. An application 503 is an application that runs on an information processing device, and provides a user with general application functions such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. In addition, the application 503 not only draws a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for user operation through an OS drawing engine 505 provided by an operating system on the information processing device, but also generates data for printing.

[0032] When a user calls a print function on the application 503, the application 503 calls a print screen control unit 504. The print screen control unit 504 has a print setting management unit 512 and a preview display unit 513. The print setting management unit 512 acquires the printer attributes of the printing device 101 from the printer information management unit 508, and generates and draws a UI screen for print settings that matches the capabilities of the printing device 101. The preview display unit 513 displays each page data generated by the application 503 via the OS drawing engine 505 according to the print settings of the print setting management unit 512. The print spooler 507 transfers the print jobs generated by the IPP client control unit 506 to the printing device 101 in order via the data communication control unit 502.

[0033] <Print sequence> Next, a print sequence will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print sequence. In the sequence shown in FIG. 6, a user 600 causes the printing device 101 to print using a preset displayed on the information processing device 104. Therefore, communication based on IPP is performed between the printing device 101 and the information processing device 104. Note that in the sequence shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the tablet 104 is used as the information processing device. Therefore, in FIG. 6 and the following description, the reference number 104 is attached to the information processing device. However, the description of the case where the notebook PC 105 is used as the information processing device is the same as the case where the tablet 104 is used as the information processing device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation in communication based on IPP. Below, the sequence shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to each operation example shown in FIG. 7. The sequence shown in FIG. 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 211, 411 of each of the devices 101, 104 reading out a program stored in the ROM 212, 412 of each of the devices 101, 104 into the RAM 213, 413 of each of the devices 101, 104 and executing it.

[0034] 6, in step S601, the information processing device 104 receives a printer registration instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401. In step S602, the information processing device 104 generates a printer attribute acquisition operation 701 shown in FIG. 7, and transmits the generated printer attribute acquisition operation 701 to the printing device 101. In step S603, the printing device 101 receives the printer attribute acquisition operation 701 of step S602. Furthermore, the printing device 101 generates a printer attribute acquisition response operation 702 shown in FIG.

[0035] In step S604, the information processing device 104 receives the response operation 702 to the printer attribute acquisition in step S603. Furthermore, the information processing device 104 stores the printer attributes in its printer information management unit 508, completing the printer registration. In step S605, the information processing device 104 receives an instruction to call up a print setting screen from the user 600 via its operation unit 401. In step S606, the information processing device 104 generates a printer attribute acquisition operation 703 shown in Fig. 7, and transmits the generated printer attribute acquisition operation 703 to the printing device 101. Note that the printer attribute acquisition operation 703 requests acquisition of preset information in addition to acquisition of printer attributes.

[0036] In step S607, the printing device 101 receives the printer attribute get operation 703 of step S606. The printing device 101 also generates a printer attribute get response operation 704 shown in Fig. 7 based on a preset management table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, which is stored in the preset management unit 310. The printing device 101 then transmits the generated printer attribute get response operation 704 to the information processing device 104. The printer attribute get response operation 704 will also be described in the flowchart shown in Fig. 8, which will be described later.

[0037] In step S608, the information processing device 104 receives the response operation 704 to the printer attribute acquisition in step S607, and displays a print setting screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11 described later. In step S609, the information processing device 104 receives a preset display instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401. In response to this, the information processing device 104 displays a list of presets 1111 shown in FIG. 11 described later, based on the response operation 704 to the printer attribute acquisition in step S607. In step S610, the information processing device 104 stores the preset of the selection instruction (not shown) received from the user 600 in the print setting management unit 512. This completes the preset setting.

[0038] In step S611, the information processing device 104 receives a print start instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401. In step S612, the information processing device 104 generates a print setting verification operation 705 shown in FIG. 7 based on the information specified in the print start instruction in step S611, and transmits the generated print setting verification operation 705 to the printing device 101. The print setting verification operation 705 will also be described in the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. In step S613, the printing device 101 receives the print setting verification operation 705 in step S612. Furthermore, the printing device 101 determines whether printing is possible with the print settings included in the received print setting verification operation 705. Then, if the printing device 101 determines that printing is possible, it generates a print setting verification response operation 706 shown in FIG. 7 that includes a status code successful-ok indicating success. Furthermore, the printing device 101 transmits the generated print setting verification response operation 706 to the information processing device 104.

[0039] In step S614, when the information processing device 104 receives the print setting verification response operation 706 of step S613 including the status code successful-ok, it generates a print job creation operation 707 shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the information processing device 104 transmits the generated print job creation operation 707 to the printing device 101. Note that the print job creation operation 707 will also be described in the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. In step S615, when the printing device 101 receives the print job creation operation 707 of step S614, it generates a print job creation response operation 708 shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the printing device 101 transmits the generated print job creation response operation 708 to the information processing device 104.

[0040] In step S616, the information processing device 104 receives the print job creation response operation 708 of step S615, including the status code successful-ok. Furthermore, the information processing device 104 generates a print document transmission operation 709 shown in FIG. 7, and transmits the generated print document transmission operation 709 to the printing device 101. In step S617, when the printing device 101 receives the print document transmission operation 709 of step S616, it performs printing processing based on the information included in the print job creation operation 707 of step S614. In step S618, when the printing processing ends, the printing device 101 generates a print document transmission response operation 710 shown in FIG. 7, including the status code successful-ok indicating the success of the printing processing. Furthermore, the printing device 101 transmits the generated print document transmission response operation 710 to the information processing device 104. Note that the print setting verification operation 711 and the print job creation operation 712 shown in FIG. 7 will be described later.

[0041] <Printing device processing procedure> Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, a process when a new preset is registered in the printing device 101 and a process when a print job with a preset setting is printed in the printing device 101 will be described. That is, the following describes the registration of a preset and printing using a preset. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the printing device 101. The flowchart in FIG. 8 is realized by the printing device 101 having the CPU 211 (computer) load a program stored in the ROM 212 into the RAM 213 and execute it. As shown in FIG. 8, in step S801, the operation control unit 307 determines whether there is a request to register a new preset. In this process, when the printing device 101 receives a registration request from the information processing device via the network I / F 219, it is determined that there is a request to register a new preset. If the operation control unit 307 determines that there is a request to register a new preset, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 307 determines that there is no request to register a new preset, the process proceeds to step S805.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in a remote UI (user interface). The remote UI is a UI provided by the printing apparatus 101, and is a screen displayed on a display unit of an information processing apparatus different from the printing apparatus 101. The user 600 can easily register or delete a preset by using each screen shown in FIG. 9. Each screen shown in FIG. 9 is realized by a remote UI function of the printing apparatus 101. The preset management screen 900 is a screen when no preset has been registered yet, and when a preset is registered, the preset name of the registered preset is displayed in a "preset name" field 901. Only the administrator of the printing apparatus 101 can access the preset management screen 900. In other words, only the administrator of the printing apparatus 101 can register or delete a preset. In the following description, the preset name may be described as "preset name".

[0043] The preset management screen 900 has an "Add preset" button 902 for registering a new preset. When the "Add preset" button 902 is pressed, the preset management screen 900 transitions to a preset addition screen 910. In the preset addition screen 910, a preset name is entered in a text box of a preset name frame 911. A preset whose name has been entered in the text box of the preset name frame 911 can actually be used by checking a check box 912 of "Enable preset". In other words, when the "Enable preset" check box 912 is checked, the preset is changed to enabled, and when the "Enable preset" check box 912 is unchecked, the preset is changed to disabled.

[0044] To additionally register a preset, the user 600 only needs to select a desired print setting from among the print settings displayed in the "item" column 913, and further select a setting value of the selected print setting from among the options presented in the drop-down list. In this case, the user 600 selects the desired print setting by checking a check box (selection means) corresponding to the desired print setting from among the check boxes (selection means) displayed in the "selection" column 914. Specifically, for example, when the user 600 additionally registers a print setting of "double-sided printing" as a preset, the user 600 checks a check box corresponding to "double-sided printing" in the "selection" column 914. Furthermore, the user 600 selects a desired setting value from among the options presented in the drop-down list corresponding to "double-sided printing" in the "setting value" column 915, which are "no", "yes (long edge binding)", and "yes (short edge binding)". This also applies to each of the print settings of "pages / sheet", "staple", "staple position", "toner saving", and "thickness adjustment" described later.

[0045] "Double-sided printing" displayed in the "item" column 913 is a print setting indicating a function for printing on both sides of a sheet of paper. The setting value for "double-sided printing" has options of "no," "yes (long edge binding)," and "yes (short edge binding)," as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to "double-sided printing" in the "setting value" column 915. "Pages / sheet" displayed in the "item" column 913 is a print setting indicating the number of pages printed on one sheet of paper. The setting value for "pages / sheet" has options of "1," "2," and "4," as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to "pages / sheet" in the "setting value" column 915. "Staple" displayed in the "item" column 913 is a print setting indicating a staple binding function. The setting value for "staple" has options of "yes" and "no," as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to "staple" in the "setting value" column 915.

[0046] The "staple position" displayed in the "item" column 913 is a print setting that indicates the position of staples. The setting value of the "staple position" has options of "upper left", "lower left", "upper right", and "lower right", as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to the "staple position" in the "setting value" column 915. However, the user 600 can select the setting value of the "staple position" from the options of "upper left", "lower left", "upper right", and "lower right" only when the user 600 selects "Yes" as the setting value of the "staple". The "toner save" displayed in the "item" column 913 is a print setting that indicates a function for reducing the amount of toner used during printing. The setting value of the "toner save" has options of "no" and "yes", as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to the "toner save" in the "setting value" column 915.

[0047] The "Thickness adjustment" displayed in the "Item" column 913 is a print setting indicating a function for printing lines and characters thicker. The setting value of the "Thickness adjustment" has options of "No," "Thick lines," "Thick characters," and "Thick lines and characters," as shown in the drop-down list corresponding to "Thickness adjustment" in the "Setting value" column 915. Each print setting displayed in the "Item" column 913 belongs to each preset group displayed in the "Preset group" column 916 (specifically, one of "Layout," "Finishing," and "Print adjustment"). The affiliation relationship between each print setting and each preset group is managed in the preset group management unit 311 in a preset group management table 1010 shown in FIG. 10 described later.

[0048] After selecting the print settings and setting values ​​of the preset on the preset addition screen 910, the user 600 presses an "Add" button 917 to complete the additional registration of the preset. If the user 600 does not wish to additionally register the preset on the preset addition screen 910, the user 600 presses a "Cancel" button 918 to cancel the additional registration of the preset. This causes the preset addition screen 910 to return to the preset management screen 900.

[0049] The preset addition screen 920 is a screen for additionally registering a preset whose name is "draft printing". In the preset addition screen 920, the preset name "draft printing" is entered in a text box (second input means) in a preset name frame 921, and a check is placed in a check box 922 for "enable preset". 923 indicates that the print settings "duplex printing" and "pages per sheet" belonging to the preset group "layout" have been selected, and that "on (long edge binding)" and "2" have been selected as the setting values ​​for each print setting. 924 indicates that the print settings "staple" and "staple position" belonging to the preset group "finishing" have not been selected. 925 indicates that the print setting "toner save" belonging to the preset group "print adjustment" has been selected, and that "on" has been selected as the setting value for that print setting. Meanwhile, 925 indicates that the print setting "thickness adjustment" belonging to the preset group "print adjustment" has not been selected.

[0050] Reference numeral 926 denotes an "Add" button. When the user 600 presses the "Add" button 926 on the preset addition screen 920, as described below, the user 600 can register a preset with the preset name "Draft Print" without associating it with any preset group. This registration makes it possible to include the preset name information of "Draft Print" entered in the text box of the preset name frame 921 in the preset information of the printer attribute acquisition response operation 704. Note that the preset with the preset name "Draft Print" is not associated with any preset group when it is registered, and is therefore registered as a conventional preset.

[0051] The preset addition screen 930 is a screen when additionally registering a preset with the preset name "Double-sided 2in1". In the preset addition screen 930, the preset name "Double-sided 2in1" is entered in the text box (first input means) of the preset name frame 931, and a check mark is placed in the "Enable preset" check box 932. 933 indicates that the print settings "Double-sided printing" and "Pages per sheet" belonging to the "Layout" preset group have been selected, and that "Yes (long edge binding)" and "2" have been selected as the setting values ​​for each print setting. 934 indicates that the print settings "Staple" and "Staple position" belonging to the "Finishing" preset group have not been selected.

[0052] Reference numeral 935 indicates that the print settings of "toner save" and "thickness adjustment" belonging to the preset group of "print adjustment" are not selected. Reference numeral 936 denotes an "add" button. When the user 600 presses the "add" button 936 on the preset addition screen 930, the user 600 can register a preset with the preset name "duplex 2in1" in association with the preset group of "layout", as described below. This registration allows the preset information of the response operation 704 for printer attribute acquisition to include the information on the preset name of "duplex 2in1" entered in the text box of the preset name frame 931. Furthermore, the preset information of the response operation 704 for printer attribute acquisition can include information that associates the preset name of "duplex 2in1" with the preset group name "layout" by using preset-group.

[0053] The preset management screen 940 is a screen when other presets are registered in addition to the above-mentioned "Draft Print" preset and "Double-Sided 2in1" preset. A total of 10 presets are registered in the preset management screen 940, and the preset name of each preset is displayed in a "Preset Name" field 941. The "Preset Group" field 942 is a new function introduced in this embodiment. The "Preset Group" field 942 displays the preset groups. The preset groups are divided into "Layout", "Finishing", and "Print Adjustment" according to the printing functions supported by the printing device 101. According to the "Preset Group" field 942, the presets with the preset names "Double-Sided 2in1", "Double-Sided 4in1", and "Single-Sided 2in1" are associated with the "Layout" preset group.

[0054] The presets with the names "Staple Top Left" and "Staple Top Right" are associated with the "Finishing" preset group. The presets with the names "Thick Line", "Thick Text", and "Thick Line and Text" are associated with the "Print Adjustment" preset group. However, the presets with the names "Normal Printing" and "Draft Printing" have no preset group (displayed with a hyphen) and are not associated with any preset group. Here, we will use the presets with the names "Duplex 2in1" and "Draft Printing" as examples to explain which presets are associated with any preset group and which are not associated with any preset group.

[0055] When a preset with the name "Double-Sided Printing 2in1" was added and registered on the Add Preset screen 930, the selected print settings "Double-Sided Printing" and "Pages / Number" both belonged to the preset group "Layout" (see 933). In addition, print settings belonging to other preset groups were not selected. As a result, for a preset with the name "Double-Sided Printing 2in1", the associated preset group is "Layout", to which both the selected print settings "Double-Sided Printing" and "Pages / Number" belong in common.

[0056] On the other hand, when a preset with the name "Draft Print" is added and registered on the preset addition screen 920, one of the three selected print settings, "Toner Save", belongs to the preset group "Print Adjustment" (see 925). In contrast, the remaining print settings, "Double-Sided Printing" and "Pages per Sheet", belong to the preset group "Layout" (see 923). Therefore, there is no preset group to which the three selected print settings belong in common. In other words, for a preset with the name "Draft Print", it is not possible to determine a single preset group to which the three print settings selected when the preset is added and registered belong in common. For the above reasons, there is no preset group associated with a preset with the name "Draft Print" (displayed as a hyphen).

[0057] The "Status" column 943 of the preset management screen 940 displays whether the preset is valid or invalid. The validity / invalidity of the preset can be changed by checking the "Enable Preset" checkbox (changing means) in the preset edit screen linked to the preset name displayed in the "Preset Name" column 941. That is, when the "Enable Preset" checkbox is checked, the preset is changed to be valid, and when the "Enable Preset" checkbox is unchecked, the preset is changed to be invalid. In this way, the user 600 can easily change the validity / invalidity of the preset. In addition, the screen configuration of the preset edit screen is different from the screen configuration of the preset addition screens 920 and 930 in that the "Add" buttons 926 and 936 are simply changed to "Edit" buttons. For this reason, the preset edit screen is not illustrated in this embodiment. In addition, a "Delete" button is displayed in the "Delete" column 944 of the preset management screen 940 to delete the registered preset.

[0058] FIG. 10 shows an example of a preset management table 1000. The preset management table 1000 is for a case where each preset, whose name is displayed in the "preset name" column 941 of the preset management screen 940, is registered in the printing device 101. The preset management table 1000 is held in the preset management unit 310 of the printing device 101. A column 1001 holds a preset ID for managing each preset. A column 1002 holds a preset name entered in a text box in the preset name frame 911 of the preset addition screen 910. A column 1003 holds print settings corresponding to the preset, that is, print settings of attributes and attribute values ​​circulating within the printing device 101. The attributes circulating within the printing device 101 also include attributes unique to the printing device 101 that are not defined in IPP.

[0059] Column 1004 holds print settings of IPP attributes corresponding to the print settings in column 1003. As shown by the record including the preset ID "8", there is no corresponding IPP attribute print setting for "thickness adjustment (line)", which is a print setting of an attribute unique to the printing device 101. The same is true for the records including the preset IDs "9" and "10", respectively, where there is no corresponding IPP attribute print setting for "thickness adjustment (text)" and "thickness adjustment (line and text)", which are print settings of attributes unique to the printing device 101.

[0060] Column 1005 holds IPP attributes related to presets. As shown by the records containing the respective preset IDs "1" and "2," the presets with the names "Normal Print" and "Draft Print," respectively, do not have a preset group (see 942), and therefore do not have the preset-group attribute. On the other hand, as shown by the records containing the respective preset IDs "3" through "10," each of the other presets has a preset-group attribute. The attribute value of preset-group is the same as the preset group displayed in the "Preset Group" column 942 on the preset management screen 940.

[0061] FIG. 10 further shows an example of a preset group management table 1010. A column 1011 holds item IDs for managing the affiliation relationship between print settings and preset groups. A column 1012 holds each print setting displayed in the "item" column 913 of the preset addition screen 910. A column 1013 holds one of the preset groups displayed in the "preset group" column 916 of the preset addition screen 910. In this way, the preset group management table 1010 manages the affiliation relationship between print settings and preset groups by item IDs using records including item IDs, print settings, and preset groups. Specifically, the preset group management table 1010 manages, for example, that the print setting "double-sided printing" belongs to the preset group "layout" using an item ID of "1".

[0062] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a preset is selected on the information processing device 104. A detailed description of the print setting screen 1100 will be given later. The preset display 1110 is displayed on the information processing device 104 when each preset whose preset name is displayed in the "preset name" column 941 on the preset management screen 940 is registered in the printing device 101. This display is performed by pressing an arrow in a display column of 1100b (described later) when the information processing device 104 registers the printing device 101 (step S604) and displays the print setting screen 1100 (step S608) (step S609).

[0063] In the preset display 1110, a list of presets 1111 is displayed with a conventional preset (presets without preset groups) column 1112 and a preset group column 1113 introduced in this embodiment. In the preset group column 1113, the names of the preset groups "Layout", "Finishing", and "Print Adjustment" are displayed. Under the "Layout" preset group name, the preset names of the presets associated with the "Layout" preset group are displayed. This is the same for both the "Finishing" and "Print Adjustment" preset group names. In the following explanation, the preset group name may be referred to as the "name of the preset group".

[0064] In the preset (presets without preset groups) column 1112, the user 600 can select only one of the multiple presets whose preset names are displayed in that column. In contrast, in the preset group column 1113, the user 600 can select one preset for each preset group from the multiple presets whose preset names are displayed under each preset group name. This allows the user 600 to select multiple presets at the same time. The preset display 1120 is an example of a display when the "Draft Print" preset is selected in the preset (presets without preset groups) 1112 column of the preset display 1110. To realize this display example, the user 600 checks the check box corresponding to the preset name of "Draft Print" as in the preset (presets without preset groups) column 1121 of the preset display 1120.

[0065] Preset display 1130 is a display example when multiple presets are selected simultaneously in the preset group 1113 column of preset display 1110. Specifically, the presets "Double-Sided 2in1" are selected simultaneously in the "Layout" preset group, "Staple Top Left" in the "Finishing" preset group, and "Thick Lines" in the "Print Adjustment" preset group. To realize this display example, the user 600 checks the check boxes corresponding to the preset names "Double-Sided 2in1," "Staple Top Left," and "Thick Lines," as shown in the preset group column 1131 of the preset display 1130.

[0066] As described above, the user 600 can simultaneously select multiple presets by selecting one preset from each preset group in the preset group field 1131 of the preset display 1130. Therefore, the user 600 can, for example, change the preset selection in the "Finishing" preset group to "Staple Top Left" and change the preset selection in the "Layout" preset group to "Double-Sided 4-in-1" or "Single-Sided 2-in-1." The user 600 can also change the preset selection in the "Print Adjustment" preset group to "Bold Characters" or "Bold Lines and Characters" and change the preset selection in the "Finishing" preset group to "Staple Top Left."

[0067] Also, if the user 600 selects one preset from at least one preset group, it is possible not to select a preset from the remaining preset groups. In this way, the user 600 can easily set multiple print settings by selecting a combination of multiple presets. However, the user 600 cannot simultaneously select presets from both the preset (preset without preset group) column 1112 and the preset group column 1113 in the preset display 1110.

[0068] Returning to the description of Fig. 8, in step S802, the IPP attribute control unit 303 determines whether or not the new preset can be associated with a preset group when registering the new preset in the preset management table 1000 of the preset management unit 310. If the IPP attribute control unit 303 determines that the new preset can be associated with a preset group, the process proceeds to step S803. On the other hand, if the IPP attribute control unit 303 determines that the new preset cannot be associated with a preset group, the process proceeds to step S804.

[0069] In step S803, the IPP attribute control unit 303 determines the preset group to be associated with the new preset, and registers the new preset (registration step). Specifically, for example, in the case of the preset addition screen 930, the "Double-Sided 2in1" preset, whose preset name has been entered in the text box of the preset name frame 931, is composed of the print settings of "Double-Sided Print" and "Pages / Sheet". In this regard, both the print settings of "Double-Sided Print" and "Pages / Sheet" belong in common only to the preset group whose preset group name is "Layout" (see preset group management table 1010).

[0070] Since such a preset can be associated with the preset group "Layout", the associated preset group is determined to be "Layout". Furthermore, in the preset management table 1000 of the preset management unit 310, preset-group="Layout" is stored in column 1005 of the preset-related IPP attributes together with preset-name="Double-Sided 2in1". Also, storage is performed in column 1002 of the preset name, column 1003 of the print settings, and column 1004 of the print settings of the IPP attributes.

[0071] In step S804, the IPP attribute control unit 303 determines that there is no preset group to be associated with the new preset, and registers the new preset. Specifically, for example, in the case of the preset addition screen 920, the preset of "draft printing" whose preset name has been entered in the text box of the preset name frame 921 is composed of the print settings of "duplex printing", "pages per sheet", and "toner save". In this regard, both the print settings of "duplex printing" and "pages per sheet" belong to the preset group whose preset group name is "layout" (see preset group management table 1010). On the other hand, the print setting of "toner save" belongs to the preset group whose preset group name is "print adjustment" (see preset group management table 1010).

[0072] Such a preset cannot be associated with any preset group, so it is determined that there is no associated preset group. Therefore, in the preset management table 1000 of the preset management unit 310, in the column 1005 of the preset-related IPP attributes, only preset-name='draft print' is stored, and the preset-group is not stored. In addition, the column 1002 of the preset name, the column 1003 of the print settings, and the column 1004 of the print settings of the IPP attributes are stored. In this way, in step S804, the conventional preset is registered.

[0073] In step S805, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines whether or not there is a printer attribute acquisition request from the information processing device 104. The printer attribute acquisition request is made by a printer attribute acquisition operation 703 (Get-Printer-Attributes) that requests acquisition of preset information in addition to acquisition of printer attributes (step S606). If the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is a printer attribute acquisition request from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S806. On the other hand, if the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is no printer attribute acquisition request from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S807.

[0074] In step S806, the IPP print service control unit 301 notifies the information processing device 104 of a printer attribute get response operation 704 (step S607) (transmission step). Specifically, in addition to the printer attributes, the preset information held in the preset management table 1000 is notified to the information processing device 104 by the printer attribute get response operation 704. Note that the preset information held in the preset management table 1000 refers to the preset names displayed in the "preset name" column 941 on the preset management screen 940, that is, information on the 10 presets registered in the printing device 101.

[0075] In step S807, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines whether or not there is a request for print setting verification from the information processing device 104. The request for print setting verification is made by a print setting verification operation 705 (Validate-Job) (step S612) (receiving step). The print setting verification operation 705 is performed when the presets "Double-sided 2-in-1", "Staple top left", and "Thicken lines" are selected simultaneously, as in the preset display 1130. If the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is a request for print setting verification from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S808. On the other hand, if the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is no request for print setting verification from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S811.

[0076] In step S808, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines whether a preset group is included in the print setting verification operation 705. If the print setting verification operation 705 includes a preset-group, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that the print setting verification operation 705 includes a preset group, and the process proceeds to step S809. On the other hand, if the print setting verification operation 705 does not include a preset-group, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that the print setting verification operation 705 does not include a preset group, and the process proceeds to step S810.

[0077] In step S809, the IPP attribute control unit 303 verifies the preset groups included in the print setting verification operation 705. In this verification, it is confirmed that each preset group included in the print setting verification operation 705 is a preset group that actually exists and that there are no settings for two or more presets. Note that confirmation as to whether a preset group actually exists is performed by referring to the preset group management table 1010. Specifically, the "layout" preset group included in the print setting verification operation 705 exists in the preset group management table 1010 and does not have settings for two or more presets.

[0078] Therefore, it is determined that there is no problem with the "Layout" preset group. The same is true for the "Finishing" and "Print Adjustment" preset groups included in the print settings verification operation 705. If there is a problem in the verification in step S809, the IPP print service control unit 301 (first notification means) responds by setting a value indicating an error in the status code. This enables the printing device 101 to notify the information processing device 104 that printing cannot be performed with the print settings of the presets associated with the preset groups included in the print settings verification operation 705.

[0079] In step S810, the IPP print service control unit 301 verifies the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705. If the print setting verification operation 705 includes a preset-group, the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705 include print settings other than the preset. Specifically, the print setting verification operation 705 includes print settings other than the preset, such as 2 copies (copies=2) and A4 paper (media=iso_a4_210x297mm). In this case, the verification in step S810 checks whether the printing device 101 can process the combination of these print settings other than the preset and the print settings of the preset group. Note that the print settings of the preset group in this verification refer to the print settings of the preset associated with the preset group included in the print setting verification operation 705. In this manner, the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705 is verified.

[0080] On the other hand, if the print setting verification operation 705 does not include preset-group, the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705 include preset print settings and non-preset print settings. In this case, the verification in step S810 confirms whether the printing device 101 can process the preset print settings, non-preset print settings, or a combination of preset print settings and non-preset print settings. In this manner, the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705 is verified.

[0081] Furthermore, in step S810, the IPP print service control unit 301 responds to the print verification request with a print setting verification response operation 706 (step S613). If the print setting verification operation 705 includes a preset-group, and there are no problems in both the verifications in steps S809 and S810, the IPP print service control unit 301 responds with successful-ok. In contrast, if the print setting verification operation 705 does not include a preset-group, and there are no problems in the verification in step S810, the IPP print service control unit 301 responds with successful-ok.

[0082] If there is a problem in the verification in step S810, the IPP print service control unit 301 (second notification means) responds by setting a value indicating an error in the status code. This enables the printing device 101 to notify the information processing device 104 that printing is not possible with the "print settings other than the preset group" included in the print setting verification operation 705. Cases in which there is a problem in the verification in step S810 include, for example, the following cases (1) to (3).

[0083] (1) When the print setting verification operation 705 includes a preset-group, printing is not possible with a combination of print settings other than the preset and print settings in the preset group.

[0084] (2) When the print setting verification operation 705 does not include a preset-group, printing is not possible with a preset print setting, a non-preset print setting, or a combination of a preset print setting and a non-preset print setting.

[0085] (3) The setting value of the print setting included in the print setting verification operation 705 is invalid.

[0086] In step S811, the IPP print service control unit 301 determines whether or not there is a request for print job creation from the information processing device 104. The request for print job creation is made by the print job creation operation 707 (Create-Job) (step S614). If the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is a request for print job creation from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S812. On the other hand, if the IPP print service control unit 301 determines that there is no request for print job creation from the information processing device 104, the process returns to step S801.

[0087] It should be noted that the print setting verification operation 705 and the print job creation operation 707 are transmitted from the information processing device 104 to the printing device 101 when multiple presets are selected simultaneously, as in the preset display 1130. Incidentally, the print setting verification operation 711 and the print job creation operation 712 shown in Fig. 7 are transmitted from the information processing device 104 to the printing device 101 when the "draft printing" preset is selected, as in the preset display 1120.

[0088] In step S812, the IPP print service control unit 301 creates a job ID (job_id) for performing print processing, and notifies the information processing device 104 of the job ID information. The notification to the information processing device 104 is performed by the print job creation response operation 708 (step S615). In step S813, the IPP print service control unit 301 receives the print document sent by the information processing device 104. The print document is sent by the print document sending operation 709 (Send-Document) (step S616).

[0089] In step S814, printing processing is performed (step S617) (printing step). In this printing processing, the job control unit 304 prints the print document received by the IPP print service control unit 301 while cooperating with the IPP attribute control unit 303, PDL analysis unit 306, RIP control unit 308, and engine control unit 309. Furthermore, in step S814, when printing is completed, the job control unit 304 notifies the information processing device 104 of the completion of printing by the response operation 710 for sending the print document (step S618). Thereafter, the process returns to step S801.

[0090] <Processing procedure of information processing device> Next, with reference to Fig. 12, a process of the information processing device 104 when acquiring preset information from the printing device 101 and causing the printing device 101 to perform printing using the preset will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of the information processing device 104. The process flow of the information processing device 104 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 12 is realized by the CPU 411 expanding a program stored in the ROM 412 into the RAM 413 and executing it. As shown in Fig. 12, in step S1201, the application 503 opens a file to be printed, that is, a print document.

[0091] In step S1202, the application 503 determines whether there is a request for print settings for the opened file. The request for print settings for the opened file is made by an instruction from the user 600 to call up a print setting screen via the operation unit 401 of the information processing device 104 (step S605). If the application 503 determines that there is a request for print settings for the opened file, the process proceeds to step S1203. On the other hand, if the application 503 determines that there is no request for print settings for the opened file, the process proceeds to step S1210.

[0092] In step S1203, the IPP client control unit 506 acquires the printer attributes of the printing device 101. At this time, the IPP client control unit 506 sends a printer attribute acquisition operation 703 to the printing device 101 (step S606), and receives a printer attribute acquisition response operation 704 from the printing device 101 (step S607). This allows the printer attributes to be acquired. The printer attribute acquisition response operation 704 includes job-presets-supported, so that it is possible to check the preset information. Furthermore, in step S1203, the print screen control unit 504 displays the print setting screen 1100 (step S608).

[0093] In step S1204, the print screen control unit 504 determines whether there is a display request for preset information on the print setting screen 1100. The display request for preset information is made by a preset display instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401 of the information processing device 104 (step S609). If the print screen control unit 504 determines that there is a display request for preset information on the print setting screen 1100, the process proceeds to step S1205. On the other hand, if the print screen control unit 504 determines that there is no display request for preset information on the print setting screen 1100, the process proceeds to step S1209.

[0094] The print setting screen 1100 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 11, the name of the printer to be printed (i.e., the name of the printing device 101) is displayed in the display frame 1100a in the print setting screen 1100. "Preset" and an arrow are displayed in the display frame 1100b, and when the arrow is pressed, it is determined that there is a request to display preset information in the print setting screen 1100, and a list of presets 1111 is displayed. Other basic print settings are displayed in the display frames 1100c to 1100i. In the display frame 1100c, the setting value for the print setting of the number of copies is input in a text box. In the display frames 1100d and 1100e, the setting value for the print setting of the print range is selected or input in a radio button or text box.

[0095] In display frame 1100f, the setting value for the print setting of color printing is selected from a drop-down list. In display frame 1100g, the setting value for the print setting of double-sided printing is selected from a drop-down list. If the selected preset includes a print setting of "double-sided printing," the setting value of the preset takes priority, and the setting value of "double-sided printing" of the selected preset is displayed in display frame 1100g. In display frame 1100h, the setting value for the print setting of paper size is selected from a drop-down list.

[0096] In the display frame 1100i, the print setting of the number of pages per sheet (Nup) is selected from a drop-down list. If the selected preset includes a print setting of "Number of pages per sheet," the preset setting takes priority, and the display frame 1100i displays the setting value of "Number of pages per sheet" of the selected preset. In addition, in the display frame 1100j, when the options are expanded, it is possible to set the print settings of finishing such as stapling and punching.

[0097] Return to the description of FIG. 12. In step S1205, the print screen control unit 504 determines whether the printer attributes of the printing device 101 acquired in step S1203 include preset information. This determination is made based on the presence or absence of job-presets-supported in the printer attribute acquisition response operation 704, as described above. If job-presets-supported is present in the printer attribute acquisition response operation 704, the print screen control unit 504 determines that the printer attributes of the printing device 101 acquired in step S1203 include preset information. Then, the process proceeds to step S1206. On the other hand, if job-presets-supported is not present in the printer attribute acquisition response operation 704, the print screen control unit 504 determines that the printer attributes of the printing device 101 acquired in step S1203 do not include preset information. Then, the process proceeds to step S1209.

[0098] In step S1206, the print screen control unit 504 determines whether the preset information includes preset group information. This determination is made based on the presence or absence of preset-group in the response operation 704 for printer attribute acquisition. If preset-group is present in the response operation 704 for printer attribute acquisition, the print screen control unit 504 determines that the preset information includes preset group information. Then, the process proceeds to step S1207. On the other hand, if preset-group is not present in the response operation 704 for printer attribute acquisition, the print screen control unit 504 determines that the preset information does not include preset group information. Then, the process proceeds to step S1208.

[0099] In step S1207, the print screen control unit 504 displays preset information including the preset group on the print setting screen 1100 (step S609). Specifically, the print screen control unit 504 displays a preset (presets without preset groups) column 1112 and a preset group column 1113 separately, as in the preset display 1110. Note that the description of the preset display 1110 has been given together with the description of the flowchart in FIG. 7, and will not be repeated here. In step S1208, the print screen control unit 504 displays preset information on the print setting screen 1100 (step S609). However, in this case, since there is no preset group information, only the preset (presets without preset groups) column is displayed on the print setting screen 1100 (not shown).

[0100] In step S1209, the print screen control unit 504 determines whether the setting of the print settings is complete. This determination is made based on an instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401 of the information processing device 104 (step S610). If the print screen control unit 504 determines that the setting of the print settings is complete, the process proceeds to step S1210. On the other hand, if the print screen control unit 504 determines that the setting of the print settings is not complete, the process returns to step S1204 and waits for the setting of the print settings to be completed.

[0101] In step S1210, the print screen control unit 504 determines whether there is a print request for the opened file. The print request for the opened file is made by a print start instruction from the user 600 via the operation unit 401 of the information processing device 104 (step S611). If the print screen control unit 504 determines that there is a print request for the opened file, the process proceeds to step S1211. On the other hand, if the print screen control unit 504 determines that there is no print request for the opened file, the process returns to step S1202. In step S1211, the IPP client control unit 506 causes the printing device 101 to print the opened file (steps S612 to S618). This causes the print document to be printed. After that, the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends. Note that the processes required for printing have been described in the print sequence in FIG. 6, and will not be described here.

[0102] <Summary> As described above, the printing device 101 has presets registered in association with one of a plurality of preset groups divided according to printing functions, and conventional presets registered without association with any preset group. As for the former presets, even if a print job from the information processing device 104 includes a plurality of presets, if the preset groups associated with the respective presets are different from each other, the printing device 101 performs printing reflecting the respective presets. As a result, the printing device 101 is capable of printing with various combinations of print settings by combining presets associated with different preset groups. Therefore, even if the printing device 101 has a large number of print settings that can be registered as presets, the number of registered presets can be suppressed. In this way, the printing device 101 can improve the convenience of presets used in IPP-based printing.

[0103] Furthermore, the printing device 101 notifies the information processing device 104 of the name of the preset and the name of the preset group associated with the preset in the preset information (preset-group) included in the response operation 704 of the printer attribute acquisition. This allows the information processing device 104 to clearly separate and display the preset (preset without preset group) column 1112 and the preset group column 1113 together in the preset list 1111 of the preset display 1110. Furthermore, the information processing device 104 can display the names of the presets associated with each preset group together in an easy-to-understand manner by displaying the name of the preset group, such as "Layout," in the preset group column 1113. This display makes it easy for the user 600 to distinguish between the preset (preset without preset group) column 1112 in which only one preset can be selected and the preset group column 1113 in which one preset can be selected for each preset group.

[0104] Therefore, the user 600 can easily use the preset (presets without preset groups) column 1112 and the preset group column 1113 depending on the printing occasion. For example, if the user 600 selects a conventional preset in the preset (presets without preset groups) column 1112, he / she cannot select other presets, including those in the preset group column 1113. On the other hand, the user 600 can simultaneously select multiple presets in the preset group column 1113 as long as the preset groups do not overlap. By using them in this way, the user 600 can print from the information processing device 104 to the printing device 101 while using detailed print settings for each function related to printing of the printing device 101.

[0105] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A printing device capable of printing using a preset of the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), a registration means for registering at least one print setting in the printing device as one preset; a transmission means for transmitting preset information relating to the valid presets registered by the registration means to an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device; a receiving means for receiving a print job including a preset selected by the information processing device from the information processing device; a printing unit that performs printing of the print job by reflecting a preset included in the print job, When all of the one or more print settings belong to one preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to print-related functions of the printing device, the registration means registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common; The printing device is characterized in that, when the print job includes multiple presets, and when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, the printing means prints the print job by reflecting each of the multiple presets included in the print job. (Configuration 2) The printing device according to configuration 1, wherein the registration means, when there are different preset groups among the preset groups to which each of the two or more print settings to be registered as the one preset belongs, registers the one preset without associating it with any of the multiple preset groups. (Configuration 3) A printing device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a first notification means for notifying the information processing device of an error when it is confirmed that the same preset group exists among the respective preset groups associated with the plurality of presets included in the print job. (Configuration 4) A printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that when the print job includes, in addition to multiple presets, print settings that are not registered as presets, even when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, when it is confirmed that printing by the printing means is not possible in relation to print settings that are not registered as presets included in the print job, the printing device is further characterized by having a second notification means for notifying the information processing device of an error. (Configuration 5) The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising a user interface for causing the registration means to register presets. (Configuration 6) The printing device according to configuration 5, wherein the user interface includes a change means for allowing a user to change whether a preset registered by the registration means is valid or invalid. (Configuration 7) The user interface includes a selection unit for allowing a user to select one or more print settings from among a plurality of print settings that indicate a relationship of belonging to any one of the plurality of preset groups; The printing device described in configuration 5 or 6, wherein when registering the one or more print settings selected by the selection means as the one preset, if all of the one or more print settings selected by the selection means belong to one preset group in common, the registration means registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common. (Configuration 8) The user interface includes a selection unit for allowing a user to select one or more print settings from among a plurality of print settings that indicate a relationship of belonging to any one of the plurality of preset groups; The printing device described in configuration 5 or 6, wherein when the registration means registers the one or more print settings selected by the selection means as the one preset, if at least two of the one or more print settings selected by the selection means belong to different preset groups, the registration means registers the one preset without associating it with any of the multiple preset groups. (Configuration 9) The user interface includes a selection unit for allowing a user to select one or more print settings from among a plurality of print settings that indicate a relationship of belonging to any one of the plurality of preset groups; The printing device described in configuration 5 or 6, wherein when registering the one or more print settings selected by the selection means as the one preset, if all of the one or more print settings selected by the selection means belong to one preset group in common, the registration means registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common, whereas if at least two print settings among the one or more print settings selected by the selection means each belong to a different preset group, the registration means registers the one preset without associating it with any of the multiple preset groups. (Configuration 10) The user interface includes a first input means for a user to input a preset name of a preset to be registered by the registration means in association with any one of the plurality of preset groups; A printing device as described in any one of configurations 5 to 9, characterized in that the preset information transmitted by the transmitting means to the information processing device includes information corresponding to a preset name inputted by the first input means and a preset group name of a preset group associated with a preset of the preset name inputted by the first input means. (Configuration 11) The user interface includes a second input means for a user to input a preset name of a preset to be registered by the registration means without being associated with any of the plurality of preset groups, 11. The printing device according to any one of configurations 5 to 10, wherein the preset information transmitted by the transmitting means to the information processing device includes information on the preset name inputted by the second input means. (Method 1) A method for controlling a printing device capable of printing using IPP presets, comprising the steps of: a registration step of registering at least one print setting in the printing device as one preset; a transmission step of transmitting preset information related to the valid presets registered by the registration step to an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device; a receiving step of receiving a print job including a preset selected by the information processing device from the information processing device; a printing step of printing the print job by reflecting a preset included in the print job, When all of the one or more print settings belong to one preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to print-related functions of the printing device, the registration step registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common; The printing process is characterized in that, when the print job includes multiple presets, and when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, the print job is printed by reflecting each of the multiple presets included in the print job. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means of the printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11.

[0106] 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. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors of a computer in the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 101 Printing device 104 Tablet (information processing device) 105 Notebook PC (information processing device) 301 IPP print service control unit (transmission means) (reception means) 303 IPP attribute control unit (registration means) 304 Job control unit (printing means)

Claims

1. A printing device capable of printing using a preset of an Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), a registration means for registering at least one print setting in the printing device as one preset; a transmission means for transmitting preset information relating to the valid presets registered by the registration means to an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device; a receiving means for receiving a print job including a preset selected by the information processing device from the information processing device; a printing unit that performs printing of the print job by reflecting a preset included in the print job, the registration means, when all of the one or more print settings belong in common to one preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to functions related to printing of the printing device, registers the one preset in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common; The printing device is characterized in that, when the print job includes multiple presets, and when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, the printing means prints the print job by reflecting each of the multiple presets included in the print job.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when there are different preset groups among the preset groups to which each of the two or more print settings to be registered as the one preset belongs, the registration means registers the one preset without associating it with any of the multiple preset groups.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification means for notifying the information processing device of an error when it is confirmed that the same preset group exists among the respective preset groups associated with the plurality of presets included in the print job.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second notification means for notifying the information processing device of an error when it is confirmed that printing by the printing means is not possible in relation to a print setting that is not registered as a preset included in the print job, even when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, in addition to the multiple presets included in the print job.

5. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface for causing said registration means to register presets.

6. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user interface includes a change unit that enables a user to change whether the preset registered by the registration unit is valid or invalid.

7. the user interface includes a selection means for allowing a user to select one or more print settings from among a plurality of print settings indicating that the print settings belong to one of the plurality of preset groups; The printing device according to claim 5, wherein when the one or more print settings selected by the selection means are registered as the one preset, if all of the one or more print settings selected by the selection means belong to a single preset group in common, the registration means registers the one preset in association with the single preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common.

8. the user interface includes a selection means for allowing a user to select one or more print settings from among a plurality of print settings indicating that the print settings belong to one of the plurality of preset groups; The printing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when registering the one or more print settings selected by the selection means as the one preset, if at least two of the one or more print settings selected by the selection means belong to different preset groups, the registration means registers the one preset without associating it with any of the multiple preset groups.

9. the user interface includes a first input means for a user to input a preset name of a preset to be registered by the registration means in association with any one of the plurality of preset groups; 6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein the preset information transmitted by the transmitting means to the information processing device includes information correlating a preset name inputted by the first input means with a preset group name of a preset group associated with a preset of the preset name inputted by the first input means.

10. the user interface includes a second input means for a user to input a preset name of a preset to be registered by the registration means without being associated with any of the plurality of preset groups; 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the preset information transmitted by the transmitting means to the information processing apparatus includes information on the preset name inputted by the second input means.

11. A method for controlling a printing device capable of printing using an IPP preset, comprising the steps of: a registration step of registering at least one print setting in the printing device as one preset; a transmission step of transmitting preset information related to the valid presets registered by the registration step to an information processing device capable of communicating with the printing device; a receiving step of receiving a print job including a preset selected by the information processing device from the information processing device; a printing step of printing the print job by reflecting a preset included in the print job, In the registration step, when all of the one or more print settings belong to one preset group among a plurality of preset groups divided according to functions related to printing of the printing device, the one preset is registered in association with the one preset group to which all of the one or more print settings belong in common; The printing process is characterized in that, when the print job includes multiple presets, and when all of the preset groups associated with each of the multiple presets included in the print job are different, the print job is printed by reflecting each of the multiple presets included in the print job.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means of the printing device according to claim 1.

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