Printing system and method for controlling the same

Abstract

To solve such a problem that a function that has been provided by a printer driver designed to use each printing device cannot be used in a case where a printer is used via a general-purpose print service.SOLUTION: A printing device registers setting information pertaining to printing and sends identification information of the registered setting information registered to an information processing device in response to an obtainment request from the information processing device. When a print job including the identification information is received from the information processing device, the printing device executes the print job having applied the setting information corresponding to the identification information to print settings of the print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a printing apparatus that is connected to a network and receives print data from an information processing apparatus via the network to perform printing. Also, in an information processing apparatus, it has been conventionally known to generate print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus using a printer driver (or print application) designed for using individual printing apparatuses.

[0003] In recent years, it has also been known to generate print data in an information processing apparatus without going through a printer driver (or print application) designed for using individual printing apparatuses. For example, print data is generated by a general-purpose print service provided as a function of an operating system (OS) of an information processing apparatus or a general-purpose print service provided by a print server on the cloud, and is transmitted to a printing apparatus. In such a general-purpose print service, a network protocol (IPP: Internet Printing Protocol) for transmitting print data to a printing apparatus to execute printing is implemented, and printing processing is realized by communication between the printing apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to this protocol.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that when an image is selected on the screen of a portable communication terminal device and printing is instructed, an MFP nearby is searched by NFC communication, and a list of the searched MFPs is displayed. Then, a protocol suitable for transmitting image data is selected based on the protocol information from the selected MFP, and the image data for printing is transmitted.

[0005] Print servers and information processing devices that provide general-purpose printing services in accordance with standards such as IPP are desired to support various types of printing devices. Therefore, in order to support different functions and specifications for each printing device, an information processing device that uses a general-purpose printing service needs to manage the configuration information of the printing device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] When an information processing device generates print data using a general-purpose printing service such as IPP, the print data is generated based on the configuration information of the printing device. However, in general-purpose printing services, in order to support various printing devices, printing settings are made on a print job setting screen that is standardized among different types of printers. For this reason, it is not always possible to make the printing settings that the user desires. In particular, finishing processes provided individually by printer vendors (for example, puncher specifications with unique colors for each region, folding process specifications, special binding process specifications) may not be set from the printing setting screen provided by general-purpose printing services. Therefore, even functions that were available to the user in a printer driver (or print application) designed for using individual printing devices may not be available when using a printer via a general-purpose printing service. Also, functions such as favorite printing settings used in regular operations provided by conventional printer drivers etc. may not be available when using a printer via a general-purpose printing service.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for enhancing convenience when printing via a general-purpose printing service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, registration means for registering setting information related to printing; transmission means for transmitting identification information of the setting information registered in the registration means to the information processing apparatus in response to an acquisition request from the information processing apparatus; printing control means for, when receiving a print job including the identification information from the information processing apparatus, reflecting the setting information corresponding to the identification information in the print settings of the print job and performing printing.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, even when printing from an information processing apparatus via a general-purpose printing service, there is an effect that a printed matter applying complex setting information can be obtained.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, form a part thereof, show embodiments of the present invention, and are used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the description.

Figure 1

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Figure 7A

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] On a LAN (Local Area Network) 100, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101 and an access point (AP) 102 are connected to be able to communicate with each other. In Embodiment 1, as an example of a printing apparatus, the MFP 101 having a scanning function, a printing function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a box function, etc. will be described as an example. Also, as an example of an information processing apparatus, portable terminals 103 and 104 such as a tablet and a smartphone will be described as an example. In the following description, the tablet 103, the smartphone 104, etc. are collectively referred to as an information processing apparatus. This information processing apparatus can communicate with the MFP 101 on the LAN 100 via the AP 102. In Embodiment 1, the above-described configuration example will be described as an example of a printing system, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one or more information processing apparatuses and a printing apparatus may be communicably connected via a network. Also, the network may be wireless or wired. First, the MFP 101 will be described. This MFP 101 has a reading function of reading an image on a document and a printing function of printing an image on a sheet (recording medium). The MFP 101 can execute a printing process based on print data received via a network.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the MFP 101 according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] The MFP 101 has a reading function of reading an image on a sheet and a printing function of printing an image on a sheet. In addition, the MFP 101 also has a file transmission function of transmitting an image to an external information processing apparatus. In Embodiment 1, the MFP 101 is described as an example of a printing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a printing apparatus such as an SFP (Single Function Peripheral) without a reading function may also be used.

[0019] The control unit 210 including the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101. The CPU 211 expands the program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 212 or the storage 214 into the RAM 213 and executes it to perform various controls such as print control and read control. The ROM 212 stores control programs and boot programs that can be executed by the CPU 211. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 213 is the main memory of the CPU 211 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs. The storage 214 stores print data, image data, various programs, and various setting information. In the first embodiment, the storage 214 is assumed to be an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) may also be used.

[0020] Note that in the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment, it is assumed that one CPU 211 executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 213), but other modes may be adopted. For example, a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages may cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later. Also, some processes may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0021] The operation unit interface (I / F) 215 connects the operation unit 216 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 216 is provided with a display unit having a touch panel function, various hard keys, etc., and functions as a display unit for displaying information and a reception unit for receiving user instructions. The reading unit I / F 217 connects the reading unit (scanner) 218 and the control unit 210. The reading unit 218 reads a document and generates image data. Incidentally, the generated image data is stored in the storage 214 or the RAM 213. Also, the image data generated by the reading unit 218 is transmitted to an information processing apparatus or used for printing an image on a sheet. The printing unit I / F 219 connects the printing unit (printer engine) 220 and the control unit 210. The image data generated by analyzing a print job received from an information processing apparatus is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printing unit 220 via the printing unit I / F 219. The printing unit 220 receives a control command and a print job to be printed via the control unit 210, and prints an image on a sheet fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown) based on the print job. Incidentally, the printing method of the printing unit 220 may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Also, other printing methods such as a thermal transfer method can be applied. Also, the control unit 210 is connected to the LAN 100 via the communication unit I / F 223. The communication unit I / F 223 transmits image data and information to an information processing apparatus on the LAN 100, or receives a print job and information from an information processing apparatus on the LAN 100.

[0022] The image processing unit 224 has the function of a RIP (Raster Image Processor) that expands the print job received via the LAN 100 and generates image data to be used for printing. Also, the image processing unit 224 can perform resolution conversion and correction processing on the image data obtained by expanding the print job. Note that in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the image processing unit 224 is realized by a hardware circuit (such as an ASIC or an FPGA), but it is not limited thereto. For example, the MFP 101 may further include a processor for image processing applications, and the processor may execute an image processing program to realize image processing and the expansion processing to print data. In this case, it is assumed that this processor and the CPU 211 cooperate to realize the flowchart described later. Furthermore, the CPU 211 may execute a program for performing image processing and be configured to perform image processing and the expansion processing of print data. Also, image processing may be performed by any combination of these.

[0023] The sheet processing unit I / F 221 connects the control unit 210 and the sheet processing unit 222. The sheet processing unit 222 receives a control command from the control unit 210 and performs post-processing on the sheet printed by the printing unit 220 according to the control command. For example, it executes post-processing such as aligning a plurality of sheets, punching holes in the sheet, binding a plurality of sheets, etc. The sheet processing unit 222 according to Embodiment 1 can perform two types of binding processes. One is a binding process (hereinafter referred to as needle binding) that binds the sheets using needles, and in this needle binding, a plurality of sheets can be bound using needles. The other is a binding process (hereinafter referred to as needleless binding) that binds the sheets without using needles. In the needleless binding process, a special blade is pressed against the sheet to crimp a plurality of sheets to bind them, or holes are made in a plurality of sheet bundles and folded back to bind them. Since the needleless binding process does not require consumables such as needles, the binding process can be performed without considering the cost of consumables. However, the needleless binding process has a smaller upper limit number of sheets that can be bound (for example, about 5 to 10 sheets) compared to the binding process that binds the sheets using needles. The post-processing functions and post-processing capabilities provided by the sheet processing unit 222 are notified to the control unit 210 via the sheet processing unit I / F 221 in advance (for example, when the MFP 101 is started), and are stored in the storage 214 or the RAM 213.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the software configuration of the MFP 101 according to Embodiment 1. In addition, each functional block shown in this FIG. 3 is achieved by the CPU 211 executing a program expanded in the RAM 213 in Embodiment 1.

[0025] The IPP print service control unit 315 notifies the information processing device of the "printer information" by combining the identifier for searching for the print preset stored in the print preset storage unit 304 and the configuration information of the printer obtained from the engine control unit 314. Here, the print preset includes print specifications such as color, monochrome, single-sided / double-sided, N-up, etc., and post-processing specifications such as binding, punching, and folding. Also, the identifier for searching is the identifier (owner identification information) of the user who registered the print preset in the MFP 101. Further, the configuration information of the printer is the function information of the printer (here, the MFP 101). In the case of an MFP shared by multiple people, a large number of print presets will be registered in that MFP. When the printer search / ability acquisition request of the information processing device is received, the identifier of the print preset to be notified is searched based on the owner identification information of the information processing device included in the request. Then, the matching print preset is notified to the information processing device that made the request. The method of notifying the print preset extracted by the owner identification information is realized by the IPP printer search / response protocol. Furthermore, when the IPP print service control unit 315 receives a print job based on the IPP standard from the information processing device via the network, it passes the print job to the print job generation unit 302.

[0026] The UI control unit 301 displays a print preset registration UI screen, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. After the user logs in, the user can save the desired print preset information in the print preset storage unit 304, and can also display, edit, delete, etc. Further, the UI control unit 301 acquires information regarding the state of the print job being processed from the job control unit 307, and displays the processing status of the print job on the UI screen. The print job generation unit 302 receives a print job from the information processing device via the IPP print service control unit 315, writes it to the data reception control unit 305, registers the job as a new job in the job control unit 307, and requests the start of print processing. When the received print job is an IPP print job, the print job generation unit 302 passes the print setting information applicable to the print job to the job attribute storage unit 308 via the mobile job setting update unit 303. Also, data of a print job other than IPP is directly written by the print job generation unit 302 to the job attribute storage unit 308.

[0027] The mobile job setting update unit 303 is called via the print job generation unit 302, and searches for an identifier of a print preset included in the IPP header of the received print job. When an identifier of a print preset is embedded in the IPP header, the data in the print preset storage unit 304 is searched using the identifier, and the print preset corresponding to the identifier is acquired. When the mobile job setting update unit 303 acquires the corresponding print setting information from the identifier of the print preset, it sets the acquired print preset in the job attribute storage unit 308.

[0028] The print preset storage unit 304 stores the print presets set by the user of the information processing device through the UI screens of FIGS. 7A and 7B in the storage 214. Also, when the stored print preset is updated, the update content is notified to the IPP print service control unit 315. When the IPP print service control unit 315 receives a print preset update notification, it notifies the information processing device on the network of the update of printer information (print preset and preset identifier) by the IPP protocol.

[0029] The data reception control unit 305 is a buffer area for the print job received by the print job generation unit 302, and temporarily stores it in the storage 214 for each print job. When the job control unit 307 instructs the PDL analysis unit 306 to perform PDL analysis processing on the print job, the PDL analysis unit 306 requests the print job from the data reception control unit 305. Thereby, the data reception control unit 305 passes the data of the print job to the PDL analysis unit 306.

[0030] When the job control unit 307 receives the registration of the print job from the print job generation unit 302, it stores the attribute information of the print job in the job attribute storage unit 308. In addition, the job control unit 307 issues an analysis instruction for the print job to the PDL analysis unit 306, and causes the page control unit 309 and the page attribute storage unit 311 to store page data in units of pages. The page data created by the PDL analysis unit 306 is sequentially stored in the page control unit 309 and the page attribute storage unit 311 for each page.

[0031] The job attribute storage unit 308 stores the attribute information of the print job. This attribute information includes those set as IPP job attributes such as "number of copies", and those set based on print presets such as "N-up (consolidated printing)", "printing surface (single-sided / double-sided) setting", "color / monochrome mode", "finishing setting", etc. Furthermore, it includes those set by the PDL analysis unit 306, such as information on text objects within the page. All of these are managed by the job attribute storage unit 308 in association with the job ID. The page control unit 309 controls the page analysis processing of the PDL analysis unit 306, the RIP processing of the RIP control unit 313, and the print control processing of the print control unit 312. The print control unit 312 acquires the RIP-processed image data from the page storage unit 310, performs color separation into CMYK, and transfers it to the engine control unit 314. The engine control unit 314 receives the CMYK-separated image data in units of pages from the print control unit 312, and controls the printing unit 220 to perform printing processing for each page.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when the information processing apparatus causes the MFP 101 to perform printing in the printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0033] In S401, the user of the information processing apparatus registers a print preset via the UI screen (FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the operation unit 216 of the MFP 101. Assume that the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment can register an individual print preset for each user. The registration content at this time is stored in the print preset storage unit 304 together with the owner name (owner identification information) for identifying the user. A specific example of this registration is shown in the management table of FIG. 5.

[0034] After this registration, in S402, the user causes the information processing apparatus to send a printer search request by the IPP protocol. This search request includes the owner identification information (601 in FIG. 6), which is the identifier of the user.

[0035] Upon receiving this search request, the MFP 101 searches for registered print presets using the owner identification information included in the search request in S403. Then, in S404, the MFP 101 returns the search result (the identifier of the print preset that matches the owner identification information) and the configuration information of the MFP 101 to the information processing apparatus by the IPP protocol (610 in FIG. 6). As a result, in S405, the information processing apparatus holds the identifier of the individual print preset for each user and the configuration information of the printer sent from the MFP 101 by the IPP protocol. Details of this will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0036] Next, in S406, when the user of the information processing apparatus displays a print screen (901 in FIG. 9) on the information processing apparatus, the identifier of the print preset (921 in FIG. 9) saved in S405 is displayed in the print dialog. The list of identifiers of this print preset is different for each user. Details of this will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0037] Next, in S407, the user of the information processing apparatus selects the identifier of the print preset registered in the MFP101 and presses the print button (905 in FIG. 9). As a result, in S408, the information processing apparatus transmits a print job with the identifier of the print preset to the MFP101.

[0038] Thereby, in S409, the MFP101 acquires the setting information of the print preset registered in S401 from the identifier of the print preset given to the print job, and requests the print settings of the print job according to the setting information of the print preset. Then, in S410, printing based on the print job is executed according to the print settings.

[0039] The following S411 to S417 show the processing steps when the user of the information processing apparatus updates the print preset of the MFP101 after a certain period of time. When the MFP101 detects the update of the print preset by the user in S411, it transmits a print preset update notification including the owner identifier to the information processing apparatus in S412. Then, in S413, the information processing apparatus compares the owner identification information of the updated print preset with the owner information of the information processing apparatus. If the owner identification information of the updated print preset matches the owner information of the information processing apparatus, the process proceeds to S414. On the other hand, if the owner identification information of the updated print preset does not match the owner information of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus determines that the update is not directed to itself and does not perform the print preset update process.

[0040] Subsequently, in S414, the information processing apparatus transmits a request to the MFP101 to acquire the identifier of the print preset. This acquisition request includes the owner identifier of the information processing apparatus. The MFP101 that has received the request to acquire the identifier of the print preset searches for the print preset corresponding to the owner identifier included in the request to acquire the identifier of the print preset in S415. In S416, the MFP101 transmits the identifier of the print preset corresponding to the owner identifier found in the search in S415 to the information processing apparatus. As a result, in S417, the information processing apparatus updates the identifier of the print preset stored as the print setting with the identifier of the print preset received from the MFP101.

[0041] By the processes of S411 to S417 described above, when the print preset is updated in the MFP101, the information processing apparatus is notified of the update from the MFP101. Then, when the general-purpose print service of the information processing apparatus determines that the updated print preset is the print preset it needs, it can re-acquire that print preset.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the print preset stored in the print preset storage unit 304 of the MFP101 according to Embodiment 1 in the storage 214.

[0043] 501 indicates an item that is the identifier of the print preset, and here it includes "estimate", "declaration form", "accounting", "drawing", "catalog", "DM (direct mail)". 502 indicates the owner identification information (owner name) that registered the print preset. Now, when the user operates the UI screen of the operation unit 216 of the MFP101 to register one piece of preset information, one row of data in this management table is saved.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 5, as print presets, setting information such as color / monochrome printing, printing surface (single-sided / double-sided), N-up, presence or absence of binding (stitched binding, non-stitched binding), punching, folding, etc. is included. Further, N-up includes its type, binding includes its respective binding position, punching includes the presence or absence of punching, the number and position of holes, and folding includes the presence or absence of folding, the type of folding, etc. Note that each setting shown in 505 to 510 of FIG. 5 is an example, and can be appropriately changed based on the printing ability and post-processing ability of MFP 101. For example, in the case of a monochrome MFP, it is also possible to prevent color from being registered as a print preset.

[0045] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams showing an example of a UI screen when registering a print preset in MFP 101 according to Embodiment 1. This screen is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 216 by the UI control unit 301, and the values set by the user are acquired via this screen.

[0046] First, the process when the user registers a print preset in MFP 101 will be described. First, on the preset list screen 710 in FIG. 7A, a login screen 700 in which the user presses the login button 712 is displayed on the operation unit 216. Through this screen, the user inputs the user name 701 and the password 702 and presses the OK button 703. If the information input here matches the information pre-registered in MFP 101, the user can log in to MFP 101. After logging in, the user can add, edit, delete, etc. print presets via the list screen 710. The print preset registered after the user logs in makes the logged-in user the owner of that print preset, and that print preset can be used by only the owner from the information processing device. Note that the owner name of the print preset is held in the owner identifier 504 of the table in FIG. 5.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the MFP 101 for saving the print preset input by the user of the information processing apparatus by operating the UI screens of FIGS. 7A and 7B. The process shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 211 executing the program expanded in the RAM 213. Therefore, in the following description of FIG. 8, the main body of each step will be described as the CPU 211.

[0048] Hereinafter, FIGS. 5, 7A, 7B, and 8 will be described in order collectively. The list screen 710 in FIG. 7A is a screen for displaying a list of print setting presets.

[0049] First, in S801, when the CPU 211 detects that the user has pressed the add button 711 on the list screen 710, it proceeds to S802, and the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 720 in FIG. 7A on the operation unit 216. This preset registration screen 720 is a screen for inputting the "registration name" that serves as an identifier for the print preset. In the case of a print preset shared by all users, the user inputs the registration name and presses the "Next" button 721. The name of the print preset input on this preset registration screen 720 and the user's identification information correspond to the preset identifier 503 and the owner identifier 504 in the management table of FIG. 5. After the user inputs the registration name here and presses the "Next" button 721, it proceeds to S803, and the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 730 in FIG. 7B on the operation unit 216. The following processes from S803 to S810 are processes for acquiring the setting contents of each item of the print preset selected by the user via the preset registration screens 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, and 780 in FIG. 7B.

[0050] In S803, when the print mode 731 is selected, the preset registration screen 730 is displayed on the operation unit 216. Here, the user acquires the print mode of color printing or monochrome printing selected on the preset registration screen 730. The set value of the print mode selected here corresponds to the color printing 505 in the management table of FIG. 5.

[0051] Next, when the printing surface 741 is selected, the process proceeds to S804, and the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 740 on the operation unit 216. On this preset registration screen 740, either single-sided or double-sided printing can be selected as the printing surface setting, and the CPU 211 acquires the set value of the printing surface selected here. This set value corresponds to the printing surface 506 in the management table.

[0052] Next, when Nup 751 is selected, the process proceeds to S805, and the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 750 on the operation unit 216. Then, the CPU 211 acquires the Nup setting indicating how many printed pages are reduced and printed on one sheet of paper, which is set by this preset registration screen 750. This set value corresponds to the Nup 507 in the management table.

[0053] Next, in S806 to S808, the binding setting is performed. Here, the user can select whether to perform the binding process with or without stitches, and also select the binding position and the number of bindings. When binding 761 is selected, the process proceeds to S806, and the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 760 on the operation unit 216. On the preset registration screen 760, it is possible to select whether to perform binding, and if binding is performed, whether to use stitched binding or stitchless binding. Also, when performing binding, the closing position can be selected, for example, upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right, etc., and the CPU 211 acquires these set values. This set value corresponds to the binding 508 in the management table. When stitched binding is selected in S806, the process proceeds to S807, and the CPU 211 acquires the stitched binding selected by the user and its binding position, and advances the process to S809. On the other hand, when stitchless binding is selected in S806, the process proceeds to S808, and the CPU 211 acquires the stitchless binding selected by the user and its closing position, and advances the process to S809. These set values correspond to the binding 508 in the management table. Incidentally, although not shown in the flowchart, when the user selects not to perform binding, the process proceeds from S806 to S809.

[0054] Next, when the punch 771 is selected, in S809 the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 770 on the operation unit 216. Here, the user can specify whether to perform a punch, and if performing a punch, the number and position of the holes. The CPU 211 acquires the setting information set on the preset registration screen 770. The value set here corresponds to the punch 509 in the management table.

[0055] Next, when the fold 781 is selected, in S810 the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 780 on the operation unit 216. Here, the user can set whether to perform a fold and the type of the fold. In this way, the CPU 211 acquires the set fold information. The value set here corresponds to the fold 510 in the management table.

[0056] Still, the processes of S803 to S810 can be freely accessed during setting by pressing the tab buttons 731, 741, 751, 761, 771, 781 of the preset registration screen. Also, when the setting is completed and the save button 732 is pressed on the preset registration screen, it proceeds to S811 and the CPU 211 performs an exclusive check between those setting items. If there is no problem in this exclusive check, it proceeds to S812 and the CPU 211 saves those setting values to the management table in FIG. 5 (stored in the storage 214). Still, if there is a problem in the exclusive check of S811, it is displayed as such on a preset registration error screen 790. Thereby, the user performs the processes of S803 to S810 again to re - set. This prevents the user from setting an incorrect print preset. Still, before saving the selected content in S812, a confirmation screen including an illustration for checking the print finish may be displayed. In this case, the MFP 101 proceeds to S812 when receiving a user instruction indicating that this setting is okay on the confirmation screen. On the other hand, the MFP 101 proceeds to S803 when receiving a user instruction indicating to re - set each setting so that each setting can be re - done.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a request for acquiring printer capability information and information regarding identifiers of print presets between the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 and the MFP 101, and a response example thereof. In the acquisition request message 600 transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the MFP 101, the user of the information processing apparatus, who is the issuer of the request, desires to acquire only information regarding the identifier of the print preset registered by the user. For this reason, the message 600 includes information regarding the owner identifier 601 representing the user of the information processing apparatus as the owner of the print preset. In this message 600, information regarding the identifier of the print preset corresponding to the owner identifier "suzuki" is requested.

[0058] Message 610 includes a printer capability response transmitted from the MFP 101 to the information processing apparatus and information regarding the identifier of the print preset included in the capability response. 611 indicates a plurality of print presets in a list structure and includes the identifier 612 of each print preset and the owner information 613 of the print preset. Message 610 exemplifies a capability response to message 600. In this message 610, it can be seen that three print presets designated by the owner identifier "suzuki" are registered in the MFP 101, and the identifiers of each print preset are "estimate", "application form", and "drawing". Message 620 shows an example of data of a print job generated by the information processing apparatus and transmitted to the MFP 101. Here, among the job attributes, the identifier 621 of the print preset and the owner identifier 622 of the print preset are included.

[0059] When receiving this print job, the mobile job setting update unit 303 of the MFP 101 searches the print preset storage unit 304 using the identifier 621 of this print preset as a search key, and acquires the print preset corresponding to the preset identifier 621 (here, "estimate") whose owner identifier is "suzuki" and performs print processing.

[0060] For example, assuming that the management table in FIG. 5 is registered, this estimate will be printed in color, single-sided printing at 1 in 1, the upper left corner of the printed paper will be bound without a needle, and the paper will be discharged without punching or folding.

[0061] Next, the printing settings in a general-purpose printing service will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a printing settings screen displayed on the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0062] Screen 901 shows a print dialog called from an application of the information processing apparatus. At the stage when this screen 901 is first displayed, since the printer (MFP) to be used for printing has not been selected, the contents of the printer display column 906 and the identifier 902 of the print preset are not displayed. Next, when the user presses the printer search button 903 on this screen, the screen transitions to the printer selection screen 910. While this selection screen 910 is being displayed, the information processing apparatus is transmitting a search packet (S402 in FIG. 4) to search for a printing apparatus (MFP) on the LAN 100. Here, when MFP 101 returns a response in S404 of FIG. 4, the information of MFP 101 that has returned a response (S404) to the information processing apparatus is displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus. Screen 910 illustrates the case where three printing apparatuses are found. Here, for the sake of explanation, it will be described that 911 is the printing apparatus corresponding to MFP 101.

[0063] When the user selects any printing apparatus (here, "Printer (1)") via this selection screen 910, the screen returns to 901, and the identifier of the printer, "Printer (1)", is displayed in the printer display column 906. Also, based on the information of the identifier of the print preset received from MFP 101, a guiding button 904 to the identifier selection screen 920 is displayed (S405 / 406). Then, when the guiding button 904 is pressed on this selection screen 901, the screen transitions to 920, and a list 921 of the identifiers of the print presets available for the selected printing apparatus (MFP) is displayed.

[0064] If the user identifier is "suzuki", "Estimate", "Report", and "Drawing" are stored as print presets with the owner identifier 504 being "suzuki" in the management table (Fig. 5) of the print preset storage unit 304. Therefore, as shown in the list 921 on the print preset selection screen 920 by the preset identifier, "Estimate", "Report", and "Drawing" are displayed.

[0065] Here, when the user selects the identifier of one print preset (here, "Estimate") on the print preset selection screen 920 (S407), the screen of the information processing device returns to screen 901. At this time, on screen 901, the identifier of the selected printer, "Printer(1)", and "Estimate" as the print preset are displayed in the printer display column 906. In this state, when the user presses the print button 905, a print job with the identifier of the print preset embedded therein is sent from the information processing device to the MFP101 (S408). Then, in the MFP101, the estimate will be printed in color, 1 in 1, single-sided, the upper left corner of the printed paper will be bound without a needle, and the paper will be discharged without punching or folding.

[0066] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the MFP101 according to Embodiment 1 receiving and printing a print job. Note that the process shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 211 executing a program expanded in the RAM 213. Therefore, in the following description of Fig. 8, the main body of each step will be described as the CPU 211.

[0067] First, in S1001, the CPU 211 receives the print job sent from the information processing device, and in S1002, stores the received print job in the storage 214. Next, it proceeds to S1003, where the CPU 211 analyzes the IPP header of the print job to determine whether it contains the identifier of the print preset. If it is determined that the identifier of the print preset is included, it proceeds to S1004; otherwise, it proceeds to S1007.

[0068] In S1004, based on the identifier of the print preset included in the print job and the owner identification information of the print job, the CPU 211 searches for the print preset registered in the storage 214, for example, the print preset registered in the management table of FIG. 5. Then, it proceeds to S1005 where the CPU 211 determines whether a print preset that matches the identifier of the print preset included in the print job and the owner identification information of the print job is registered. If it is determined here that a matching print preset is registered, it proceeds to S1006; otherwise, it proceeds to S1010 where error processing is performed and this process ends. In this error processing, for example, a message indicating that the corresponding print preset does not exist is displayed on the operation unit 216, and an error response is returned to the information processing apparatus that is the source of the print job.

[0069] In S1006, the CPU 211 creates print setting information that reflects the matching print preset. This process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0070] Next, it proceeds to S1007 where the CPU 211 analyzes the PDL data included in the print job and executes RIP processing in S1008 to expand it into bitmap data. Then, it proceeds to S1009 where the expanded page data is output to the printing unit 220 to cause printing. In this printing process, printing is performed according to the printing specifications in which the print preset was reflected in S1006. Then, it proceeds to S1010 where the CPU 211 determines whether printing up to the final page has been completed. If not, it returns to S1007 and repeats the above-described process. In this way, when the printing of the print data specified in the print job is completed, this process ends. Note that if post-processing such as binding, punching, and folding processing for the printed matter is set, the CPU 211 shall execute post-processing for the printed sheet in addition to the printing process in the process of S1009. In this case, the CPU 211 executes post-processing for the sheet in cooperation with the printing unit 220 and the sheet processing unit 222.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reflecting the print preset of S1006 in FIG. 10 in print data.

[0072] First, at S1101, the CPU 211 reflects the color printing setting 505 (Fig. 5) corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "Color" is set from Fig. 5. Next, proceed to S1102 where the CPU 211 reflects the print surface setting 506 corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "Single-sided" is set from Fig. 5. Next, proceed to S1103 where the CPU 211 reflects the N-up setting 507 corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "1in1" is set from Fig. 5. Next, proceed to S1104 where the CPU 211 reflects the binding setting 508 corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "Stapleless binding" is set from Fig. 5, and the binding position is set to "upper left". Next, proceed to S1105 where the CPU 211 reflects the punching setting 509 corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "No punching" is set from Fig. 5. Next, proceed to S1106 where the CPU 211 reflects the folding setting 510 corresponding to the owner identification information and the identifier of the print preset. For example, when the identifier of the aforementioned print preset is "estimate" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "No folding" is set from Fig. 5. And finally, proceed to S1107 where the CPU 211 checks whether there is an inconsistency due to the combination of the setting values of the IPP job such as the number of printed copies and the setting values overwritten by the print preset. If there is no problem, it overwrites the updated print setting and saves it in the storage 214. Here, if an inconsistency occurs, it may be displayed on the operation unit 216 or notified to the information processing apparatus of the transmission source.

[0073] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a user registers a print preset in the MFP 101 in advance, and notifies the information processing apparatus that the user is operating of the identifier of the registered print preset together with the printer capability information of the IPP protocol. As a result, the user of the information processing apparatus can select the identifier of the print preset from the UI screen and issue a print instruction, and can reflect it in the print job and perform printing without setting a complicated print preset. Thereby, for example, even from a mobile terminal such as the tablet 103 or the smartphone 104, a printed matter with a complicated print specification can be easily obtained.

[0074] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the case where the identifier of the print preset is notified to the information processing apparatus as the printer capability information of the IPP protocol has been described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the MFP 101 notifies the information processing apparatus of information indicating the print settings (also referred to as print attributes) corresponding to the preset illustrated in FIG. 5 in addition to the identifier of the print preset. Further, when the identifier of the print preset is selected from the print dialog, the information processing apparatus reflects the information indicating the content of the preset in the current print settings. That is, in the print system of the second embodiment, a mechanism is provided in which, in response to receiving a user operation of selecting a preset via the print dialog, the content corresponding to the preset is reflected on the print settings screen on the information processing apparatus side. By this process, the content of the print preset can be confirmed from the print dialog on the information processing apparatus. Note that in the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the prerequisite device is the same as that of the first embodiment. Detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0075] Hereinafter, a specific control method in the second embodiment will be described. When the MFP 101 transmits a capability response including the configuration information and the identification information illustrated in S404 of FIG. 4 to the information processing apparatus, the MFP 101 transmits a capability response with the print settings (also referred to as print attributes) corresponding to the identification information of the preset added thereto. The difference between the capability response in the first embodiment and the capability response in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0076] In addition to the identifier 612 of the print preset and the owner information 613 of the print preset, the MFP 101 according to Embodiment 2 notifies the information processing apparatus of a print preset including the print attributes of each preset illustrated in FIG. 5. That is, attributes such as "color, 1 in 1, single-sided printing, and binding without a needle in the upper left corner of the paper" illustrated in 521 of FIG. 5 are added to the print preset whose name is "estimate". Also, attributes such as "monochrome, 2 in 1, double-sided printing" described in 522 of FIG. 5 are added to the print preset whose name is "application form". Further, attributes such as "monochrome, 1 in 1, single-sided, binding at two places on the left of the paper, and Z-folding" illustrated in 524 of FIG. 5 are added to the print preset whose name is "drawing".

[0077] Subsequently, setting reflection processing when the information processing apparatus receives a user operation of selecting a preset via a print dialog will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0078] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen that the processors of the information processing apparatuses 103 and 104 display on the operation unit of the information processing apparatus. The screen 1210 shows a print dialog called from an application of the information processing apparatus. Since the processing at the time of printer search and when the print button is pressed is the same as the processing described in FIG. 9 of Embodiment 1, the description thereof is omitted. Here, for the sake of explanation, "Printer(1)" is selected by a user operation, but a case where no print preset is selected will be described as an example.

[0079] When a printer is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing device displays the guidance button 1211 on the screen 1210. When the guidance button 1211 is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing device causes the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing device to transition to the screen 1230. The screen 1230 is the same as the screen 910 in Embodiment 1 and is a screen for selecting a preset to be used from a list of presets. When receiving a user operation for selecting any item from the list of presets displayed on the screen 1230, the processor of the information processing device causes the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing device to transition to the screen 1240. Here, for the sake of explanation, the case where "drawing" is selected from the list will be described as an example. The processor of the information processing device changes the print settings displayed in the print dialog based on the attributes such as "monochrome, 1 in 1, single-sided printing, staple two places on the left of the paper, Z-fold" corresponding to the print preset of "drawing".

[0080] Returning to the description of FIG. 12, the processor of the information processing device displays information 1241 indicating that the print settings based on the preset have been reflected on the screen 1240. The information 1241 is displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) after transitioning to the screen 1240. The processor fades out the display of the information 1241 from the screen 1240 when the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0081] The option button 1242 is a button used when checking and changing the current print settings. When the option button 1242 is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing device causes the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing device to transition to the setting screen 1250. The area 1251 of the setting screen 1250 is an area for checking and changing the current print settings. Here, print settings reflecting the print preset of "drawing" are exemplified. By the above-described reflection process, monochrome is set in the color mode setting 1252, and OFF is set in the duplex printing setting 1253. Also, 1 in 1 is set in the Nup setting 1254, and double indicating two-point binding is set in the binding setting 1255. Further, OFF is set in the punching setting 1256, and ON is set in the folding setting 1257.

[0082] As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism that reflects the content of the preset selected by the user in the print settings and allows the user to check the set content of the preset. Thereafter, since the printing process after the preset is selected is the same as S407 to S410 in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0083] Note that, in the second embodiment, although an example is given in which the print settings reflected based on the print preset selected by a user operation via the area 1251 can be changed, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a print preset is selected, the information processing device may prohibit changing the print settings. Also, it is possible to assign attribute information indicating whether setting changes are allowed for each print preset. For example, when an attribute that cannot be interpreted by the print service (for example, saddle stitching without needles) is set as an attribute of the print preset, the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 stores a print preset with information indicating that setting changes are not allowed added thereto. Also, the print preset including the above-described information is transmitted in response to the ability response to the information processing device.

[0084] In this case, when a print preset is specified and a setting is made that does not allow changes to the settings preset in the print preset, the processor of the information processing apparatus prohibits setting changes via area 1251. By this process, it is possible to suppress setting changes on the print service side when attributes not supported by the print service of the information processing apparatus are set in the print preset. Also, in this case, in addition to information 1241, information indicating that changes to the settings of the print preset are prohibited may be displayed. On the other hand, when a print preset is specified and a setting is made that allows changes to the preset settings, the processor of the information processing apparatus controls to accept setting changes via area 1251.

[0085] <Modification Example> In the above embodiment, an example in which printing can be realized with print settings desired by the user even from a general-purpose print service by registering print presets and their identifiers in the MFP in advance has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, in an MFP having a hot folder with print settings (a shared folder for waiting for print jobs provided by the MFP), the "folder name" of the hot folder may be transmitted to the identifier of the printer capability response included in message 610 of FIG. 6. In this case, when the MFP determines that the received print job includes the identifier of the hot folder, the received print job is stored in the hot folder specified by the identifier. Then, the MFP may overwrite the print settings set in the hot folder in which the print job is stored with the print settings of the print job, and then execute the print processing after S1007.

[0086] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when performing printer capability notification with the general-purpose print service described in S402 to S404 of FIG. 4, an example was described in which narrowing down of print presets is performed based on the owner identification information received from the general-purpose print service in S402. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer capability response including identifiers of all registered print presets may be returned. In this case, in order to suppress a large number of print presets from being displayed on the print preset selection screen 920 of FIG. 9, for example, a limit (for example, an upper limit of 10) may be provided on the number of print presets that the MFP can store.

[0087] Also, it can be applied even when the owner identification information transmitted by the general-purpose print service is different from the identification information of the user who registers the print preset (information for identifying the user of the MFP). In this case, the administrator of the MFP registers the correspondence between the owner identification information transmitted by the general-purpose print service and the identification information of the user who uses the MFP101 via a user management screen (not shown). The correspondence registered via the user management screen is stored in a user DB, a table, or the like. In this case, instead of the owner identification information transmitted to the MFP in S402 or S413, the general-purpose print service transmits a unique identifier possessed by the information processing apparatus (for example, the serial number of the device, the MAC address of the wireless LAN, etc.). The MFP101 uses the correspondence stored in the user DB, the table, or the like in the processes of S403 or S415 to identify the user of the MFP101 associated with the unique identifier received from the information processing apparatus. The MFP101 returns to the information processing apparatus a list of identifiers of the print presets registered by the identified user.

[0088] The general-purpose printing service in the above-described embodiment is assumed to be, for example, a printing service compliant with IPP, or a printing service with unique extensions based on the IPP mechanism. For example, it can be applied to general-purpose print applications pre-installed on the OS of an information processing device, printing services, etc. Also, for example, it can be applied to printing services that support printing devices of multiple vendors, print applications, etc.

[0089] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the MFP 101 receives a print job including an identifier of a print preset, the case where the print settings of the print job are overwritten with the attributes of the corresponding print preset is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. It is also possible to configure to enable overriding of print settings by comparing the attributes of the corresponding print preset with the print settings included in the received print job. For example, even if single-sided printing is set as the attribute of the print preset selected by the user, when double-sided printing is explicitly specified to be performed via the print dialog, it is also possible to control to prioritize the double-sided printing specified by the user. In this case, in the reflection process described in S1101 to S1106, if there are print settings explicitly specified in the print job, the print settings may be prioritized.

[0090] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain printed matter to which complex print settings are applied without impairing the print operability from a communication terminal such as a mobile device.

[0091] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in the computer of the system or device to read and execute the program. Also, it can be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to disclose the scope of the present invention, the following claims are appended.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 101…MFP, 103…tablet, 104…smartphone, 211…CPU, 213…RAM, 214…storage, 216…operation unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A registration means for registering setting information relating to printing; a transmitting means for transmitting, in response to an acquisition request from an information processing device, identification information of the setting information registered in the registering means to the information processing device; a print control means for, when receiving a print job including the identification information from the information processing device, printing the print job by reflecting setting information corresponding to the identification information in print settings of the print job; A printing device comprising:

Images