Print management program, print management method, and information processor

Abstract

To provide a print management program that improves convenience of print setting.SOLUTION: A print management program causes a computer (100) to execute steps of: storing in a storage unit (103) first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue managed by an OS of the computer (100); displaying, when the first print queue is deleted by a user interface provided by the OS, on the basis of the first usage information stored in the storage unit (103), a display screen and making it possible to receive an instruction indicating whether or not to generate a second print queue; instructing, when the instruction to generate the second print queue is received on the display screen, on the basis of the first setting information stored in the storage unit, the OS to generate the second print queue associated with second setting information generated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a print management program, a print management method, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an information processing apparatus in which a program for transmitting a print job to a printer is installed, and print settings are saved for each print queue, and any of the saved print settings can be selected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional program, when a new print queue is generated, there is a problem that the user needs to newly make print settings for the generated new print queue.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a print management program, a print management method, and an information processing apparatus capable of improving convenience regarding print settings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The print management program of the present disclosure is a program installed in an information processing apparatus for managing printing, and includes steps of causing a storage unit to store first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue managed by an operating system of the information processing apparatus; when the first print queue is deleted by a user interface provided by the operating system, causing a display screen to be displayed based on the first usage information stored in the storage unit and enabling reception of an instruction indicating whether to generate a second print queue; and when receiving the instruction indicating generation of the second print queue on the display screen, instructing the operating system to generate the second print queue associated with second setting information generated based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus is caused to execute the above steps.

[0007] The print management method of the present disclosure is a method installed in an information processing apparatus for managing printing, and includes steps of causing a storage unit to store first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue managed by an operating system of the information processing apparatus; when the first print queue is deleted by a user interface provided by the operating system, causing a display screen to be displayed based on the first usage information stored in the storage unit and enabling reception of an instruction indicating whether to generate a second print queue; and when receiving the instruction indicating generation of the second print queue on the display screen, instructing the operating system to generate the second print queue associated with second setting information generated based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit. The method is characterized by having the above steps.

[0008] The information processing apparatus of the present disclosure is an apparatus in which the above print management program is installed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] By using the print management program, print management method, or information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience regarding print settings when newly generating a print queue.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a print management program, a print management method, and an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0012] 《1》Configuration of the Embodiment 《1-1》Hardware Configuration of Computer 100 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 100 that executes a print management program according to this embodiment. The computer 100 is an information processing apparatus that can execute the print management program according to this embodiment. Also, the computer 100 is an information processing apparatus that can implement the print management method according to this embodiment. The computer 100 is, for example, a device such as a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The computer 100 may be configured by a dedicated processing circuit connected to or built into a printer 500.

[0013] Computer 100 includes a processor 101 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory 102 which is a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 103 which is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an interface 104. Connected to the interface 104 are a display device 105 as a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, an input device 106 as an operation unit for receiving user operations, and a printer 500 as a printing device.

[0014] The processor 101 can execute the printing management program according to this embodiment. The printing management program is recorded on a recording medium such as an SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory card, or is installed in the memory 102 or the storage unit 103 by downloading via a network. The hardware configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the hardware configuration can be variously changed.

[0015] The computer 100 and the printer 500 as a printing device are connected so as to be communicable, either wired or wirelessly. The printer connected to the computer 100 is not limited to one printer 500, and may be a plurality of printers.

[0016] The display device 105 may be a part of the computer 100. The input device 106 may be a part of the computer 100. The display device 105 and the input device 106 may be an integrated device such as a touch panel (i.e., a user interface).

[0017] The computer 100 may be a computer system including a plurality of information processing devices connected to communicate with each other, or a cloud computer existing on a network.

[0018] The print management program according to this embodiment is installed in the computer 100 and manages printing by one or a plurality of printers 500. The print management program according to this embodiment causes the computer 100 to execute the following processes (that is, steps S1 to S3).

[0019] (Step S1) A step of storing, in the storage unit 103, first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue (for example, a first virtual printer associated with a new print queue) managed by the operating system (OS) of the computer 100.

[0020] (Step S2) When the first print queue is deleted by the user interface provided by the OS of the computer 100, a display screen (for example, shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 described later) is displayed on the display device 105 based on the first usage information stored in the storage unit 103, and an instruction indicating whether to generate a second print queue (for example, a second virtual printer associated with a new print queue) is received.

[0021] (Step S3) When an instruction indicating generation of the second print queue is received on the display screen, an instruction is given to the OS to generate the second print queue associated with the second setting information generated based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit 103. At this time, the OS associates the second setting information with the second print queue to generate the second print queue, or associates the second setting information with the second print queue after generating the second print queue. Note that when migrating from the first print queue (virtual printer) to AirPrint (a trademark of Apple Inc.) as the second print queue, if there is setting information that is not supported, the second setting information becomes part of the first print information.

[0022] 《1-2》Functions of the computer 100 Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of computer 100 that executes the print management program according to the present embodiment. In computer 100, an OS, which is basic software, operates. On the OS of computer 100, a print system 200, which is a software program for managing the print operation executed by printer 500, a print application 300, which is a software program for a user to edit a document or the like and instruct a print operation, one or more virtual printers 420, and a print server 400, which is a software program for managing one or more virtual printers 420, operate.

[0023] The print system 200 is a software program for managing information necessary for performing printing on the OS, and has a print queue 201 used for printing by printer 500 and a print queue management unit 202 for managing print queue 201.

[0024] The print application 300 is a general software program for creating a document, an image, or both, and causing printer 500 to print the created document and image.

[0025] The print server 400 has a search request receiving unit 401, a search request response unit 402, a print job receiving unit 403, a print job conversion unit 404, a print job transmitting unit 405, a management screen display unit 406, a virtual printer management unit 407, a virtual printer deletion determination unit 408, a print queue monitoring unit 409, a print queue creation unit 410, a preset information creation unit 411, a usage / setting information management unit 412, and an alternative print queue estimation unit 413.

[0026] The search request receiving unit 401 receives a search request for information on virtual printer 420 from the print system 200. The search request response unit 402 responds with information corresponding to the search request.

[0027] The print job receiving unit 403 receives print data from the printing system 200. The print job conversion unit 404 converts the print data received by the print job receiving unit 403 into data that can be interpreted by the printer 500. The print job transmitting unit 405 transmits the print data converted by the print job conversion unit 404 to the printer 500.

[0028] The management screen display unit 406 causes the management screen of the print server 400 to be displayed as a display screen on the display device 105.

[0029] The virtual printer management unit 407 creates a virtual printer 420. The virtual printer deletion determination unit 408 determines whether to delete the virtual printer 420.

[0030] The print queue monitoring unit 409 monitors the state of the print queue 201 managed by the printing system 200. The print queue creation unit 410 creates a driverless print queue, which is the print queue 201 corresponding to the virtual printer 420 managed by the virtual printer management unit 407 or the printer 500 that is a physical printer.

[0031] The preset information creation unit 411 creates preset information corresponding to the print queue 201.

[0032] The usage / setting information management unit 412 manages the usage frequency of the print queue 201 associated with the virtual printer 420 or the physical printer and the setting information regarding the available virtual printer 420 or physical printer.

[0033] When the print queue 201 associated with the virtual printer 420 is deleted, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 performs a process of estimating an alternative print queue that is an alternative print queue.

[0034] When the computer 100 causes the printer 500 to execute printing, the printing system 200 creates a logical printer called a print queue 201, which is associated with the printer 500 connected to the computer 100.

[0035] The user selects one of the one or more print queues 201 displayed on the display device 105 by the printing application 300 as the printer to be used at the time of printing, and performs a process for causing the printer 500 corresponding to the selected print queue 201 to execute printing. Thereby, the printing system 200 generates a print job and transmits the print job to the printer 500 corresponding to the selected print queue 201 based on the information associated with the selected print queue 201.

[0036] When the computer 100 causes the printer 500 to execute printing using the virtual printer 420, the printing system 200 creates a print queue 201 corresponding to the virtual printer 420, and the printing application 300 gives a print instruction to the virtual printer 420. In this case, the target associated with the created print queue 201 is the virtual printer 420, and the data transmission destination of the printing system 200 is the virtual printer 420. Therefore, the process of transmitting data to the printer 500 connected to the computer 100 is performed by the virtual printer 420.

[0037] 《1-3》Print Queue Management Screen 600 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print queue management screen 600 which is a display screen displayed on a display device 105 by a print queue management unit 202 of a computer 100 that executes a print management program according to the present embodiment. The print queue management screen 600 is displayed on the display device 105 or a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the user. That is, when generating a new print queue, the computer 100 can display a list of printers 500 connected to the computer 100 and virtual printers 420 existing on the OS on the display screen. The user performs an operation of adding or deleting a print queue corresponding to the connected printer using the print queue management screen 600.

[0038] The print queue management screen 600 includes a print queue list screen 601 that includes a list of registered print queues, a print queue addition button 602 that is an operation button for adding a print queue, and a print queue deletion button 603 that is an operation button for deleting a registered print queue.

[0039] When performing printing with the print application 300, the user can perform printing by performing an operation of selecting a print queue registered in the print queue management screen 600 on the print application 300.

[0040] When adding a newly used printer, the user opens the print queue management screen 600 and performs an operation of registering a new print queue from the print queue addition button 602.

[0041] When deleting a print queue, the user opens the print queue management screen 600, selects the target print queue from the print queue list screen 601, and performs a deletion operation by pressing the print queue deletion button 603.

[0042] 《1-4》Print Queue Creation Screen 700 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print queue creation screen 700 which is a display screen displayed on a display device 105 by a computer 100 that executes a print management program according to the present embodiment. The print queue creation screen 700 is displayed when a user performs an operation of pressing a print queue addition button 602 on the print queue management screen 600. The print queue creation screen 700 is displayed on the display device 105 or a touch panel that accepts a touch operation by the user.

[0043] The print queue creation screen 700 includes a list display screen 701 of printers connected to the computer 100 and virtual printers activated on the computer 100, a list 702 for selecting a printer driver to be used when creating a print queue, a print queue name input field 703 for inputting the name of the print queue to be registered, and an addition button 704 for creating a print queue with the input content. By displaying a list of printers connected to the computer 100 and virtual printers existing on the OS as the list display screen 701 when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue, a selection operation for copying the deleted print settings to the print queue corresponding to which printer becomes possible.

[0044] The user selects a printer to be added as print queue 201 from the list display screen 701 of printers, selects the corresponding driver in the list 702, inputs a name in the print queue name input field 703, and presses the addition button, whereby the print queue 201 is registered in the printing system 200.

[0045] 《2》Operations of the Embodiment 《2-1》Overview of User Operations in the Comparative Example A user using a computer in the comparative example, during the print queue registration operation, (U1) Performs an operation for creating a virtual printer corresponding to a printer in a printer application, (U2) Perform an operation to register a print queue corresponding to the virtual printer with the OS.

[0046] A user using the computer of the comparative example, as a printing operation, (U3) Perform an operation of selecting the registered print queue and instructing the execution of printing.

[0047] A user using the computer of the comparative example, when deleting the print queue and constructing the print queue, (U4) Perform an operation of deleting the print queue determined to be unnecessary on the user interface (UI) of the OS, (U5) Perform an operation of deleting the virtual printer determined to be unnecessary on the UI provided by the vendor, (U6) Perform an operation of newly adding the replacement printer on the UI of the OS, (U7) Perform an operation of changing the desired print settings one by one at the first printing of the added printer, (U8) Perform an operation of registering the set print settings again as a preset, (U9) Repeat the above operations (U7) and (U8) for the number of presets.

[0048] Thus, in the comparative example, in order to replace the registration of the printer, the user needs to grasp the registration information in advance, and the convenience for the user is low.

[0049] 《2-2》 Outline of the operation of the embodiment FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams showing examples of a proposal screen displayed on the display device 105 when the print server 400 detects that the user has deleted the print queue related to the virtual printer.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen 800 for setting replacement (replacement with a driverless print queue) when deleting a print queue (virtual printer A) displayed as a display screen by a computer 100 that executes a print management program according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a proposal screen 810 for setting replacement (replacement with a driverless print queue) when deleting a print queue (virtual printer A) displayed as a display screen by a computer 100 that executes a print management program. FIG. 5 shows an example of displaying print functions that become unavailable when a driverless print queue is used as a replacement.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen 820 for setting inheritance (inheritance of printer B settings) when deleting a print queue (virtual printer A) displayed as a display screen by a computer 100 that executes a print management program. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a proposal screen 830 for setting inheritance (inheritance of printer B settings) when deleting a print queue (virtual printer A) displayed as a display screen by a computer that executes a print management program. FIG. 8 shows an example of displaying print functions that become unavailable.

[0052] A user who uses the computer 100 installed with the print management program according to the present embodiment, at the time of registering a print queue operation, (U1) Performs an operation for creating a virtual printer corresponding to a printer in a print application, (U2) Performs an operation for registering a print queue corresponding to the virtual printer in the OS. After that, the print application (P2) Starts monitoring the registered print queue.

[0053] A user who uses the computer 100 installed with the print management program according to the present embodiment, as a print operation, (U3) Performs an operation of selecting a registered print queue and instructing execution of printing. After that, the printing application (P3) causes the storage unit 103 to store the print history (i.e., usage history) and setting information (including the print settings and preset information used) for the registered print queue.

[0054] A user who uses the computer 100 on which the print management program according to this embodiment is installed, when deleting a print queue and constructing a print queue, (U4) performs an operation to delete the print queue determined to be unnecessary on the user interface (UI) of the OS. After that, the printing application (P5) When the usage frequency of the print queue detected as a deletion target is high and the unique function of the virtual printer corresponding to this print queue is not used, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, a proposal screen for proposing to the user to migrate to a driverless print queue (e.g., AirPrint), or as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, a proposal screen for proposing to the user to migrate to the setting information of the existing printer B is displayed, (P6) deletes the virtual printer by an operation of approval of replacement by the user, (P7) adds the OS standard printer settings or the settings of the existing printer B to the physical printer, (P8) creates the preset information of the added printer from the preset information of the virtual printer.

[0055] As described above, the computer 100 on which the print management program according to this embodiment is installed analyzes the preset information stored in the virtual printer and performs processing for user support for replacement. Therefore, it is possible to automatically register the preset information for the added printer, and the burden on the user when the printer environment can be reproduced without the user being aware of it is small, and the convenience is excellent.

[0056] 《2-3》Processing of Print Server 400 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing process (printing process of the print server 400) by the computer 100 installed with the print management program according to the present embodiment.

[0057] First, the print server 400 of the computer 100 operates in the background on the computer 100 and starts a standby process for waiting for reception of an external event (step S101).

[0058] When the print server 400 receives an event from the outside (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103, and the process corresponding to the received event is started. When the print server 400 has not received an event from the outside (NO in step S102), the process returns to step S101, and the event waiting process is continued.

[0059] When the received event is a virtual printer creation request (YES in step S103), the virtual printer management unit 407 of the print server 400 performs a virtual printer creation process (step S107). Otherwise (NO in step S103), the virtual printer management unit 407 proceeds to step S104 and performs a determination process as to whether the received event is an execution of a print job for the virtual printer.

[0060] When the received event is an execution of a print job for the virtual printer (YES in step S104), the virtual printer management unit 407 proceeds to step S108 and performs a process related to saving print settings. Otherwise (NO in step S104), the virtual printer management unit 407 proceeds to step S105 and performs a determination process as to whether the received event is a request for virtual printer information.

[0061] If the received event is a request for virtual printer information (YES in step S105), the virtual printer management unit 407 advances the process to step S111 and performs the process of transmitting virtual printer information in the print server 400 (step S111). Otherwise (NO in step S105), the virtual printer management unit 407 advances the process to step S106 and performs a determination process as to whether the received event is an end request for the print server 400.

[0062] If the received event is an end request for the print server 400 (YES in step S106), the virtual printer management unit 407 ends the process of the print server 400. Otherwise (NO in step S106), the virtual printer management unit 407 returns the process to step S101 and continues the event waiting process.

[0063] In step S107, the virtual printer management unit 407 performs a virtual printer creation process. After the end of the virtual printer creation process, the virtual printer management unit 407 returns the process to step S101 and continues the event waiting process.

[0064] In step S108, the usage / setting information management unit 412 of the print server 400 performs a print setting saving process. In this saving process, the usage / setting information management unit 412 saves the print queue used for print execution, the preset information registered in the print queue, and the information on the specified print settings. After the end of the saving process, the usage / setting information management unit 412 of the print server 400 advances the process to step S109 and performs a print data creation process.

[0065] In step S109, the print job receiving unit 403 of the print server 400 receives a print job, and the print job conversion unit 404 of the print server 400 performs a process of creating print data from the received print job. After the completion of this process, in step S110, the print job transmitting unit 405 of the print server 400 performs a transmission process of the print data. In other words, in the transmission process of the print data, the print job transmitting unit 405 of the print server 400 transmits the print data created by the print job conversion unit 404 to a printer associated with the virtual printer. After the completion of this transmission process, the print server 400 returns the process to step S101 and continues to wait for an event.

[0066] In step S111, the search request receiving unit 401 of the print server 400 receives a request for device information, the virtual printer management unit 407 of the print server 400 creates virtual printer information which is data of the corresponding virtual printer, and the search request reply unit 402 of the print server 400 transmits the created virtual printer information. After the completion of this transmission process, in step S112, the print queue monitoring unit 409 of the print server 400 performs a process of determining whether to start monitoring the print queue. Details of the determination process (step S112) for starting the monitoring of the print queue performed by the print queue monitoring unit 409 of the print server 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10.

[0067] After the completion of the determination process for starting the monitoring of the print queue, the print server 400 returns the process to step S101 and continues to wait for an event.

[0068] 《2-4》Determination Process for Starting Monitoring of Print Queue FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the determination process (step S112) for starting the monitoring of the print queue in FIG. 9.

[0069] After the search request response unit 402 of the print server 400 responds to the request for virtual printer information (after step S111), the print queue monitoring unit 409 of the print server 400 acquires the information of the print queue 201 from the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200, and determines whether a print queue associated with the virtual printer has been added (step S201). If an addition has occurred (YES in step S201), the print queue monitoring unit 409 performs print queue monitoring processing (step S202). If no addition has occurred (NO in step S201), the print queue monitoring unit 409 ends the determination process of whether a print queue associated with the virtual printer has been added.

[0070] In step S202, the print queue monitoring unit 409 periodically acquires the information of the print queue 201 from the print queue management unit 202. After acquiring the information of the print queue 201, the print queue monitoring unit 409 proceeds with the process to determine whether there is a deletion of the print queue 201 (step S203).

[0071] In step S203, based on the information of the print queue 201 acquired from the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200, the print queue monitoring unit 409 determines whether the print queue 201 associated with the virtual printer managed by the virtual printer management unit 407 of the print server 400 has been deleted. If it has been deleted (YES in step S203), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 of the print server 400 performs the process of estimating an alternative recommended print queue (step S204). If it has not been deleted (NO in step S203), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 returns the process to the print queue monitoring process (step S202).

[0072] (Step S204) When the print queue 201 associated with the virtual printer managed by the virtual printer management unit 407 is deleted (YES in step S203), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 estimates a recommended print queue that is an alternative to the deleted print queue, and performs an estimation process of the recommended print queue, which is a process of presenting this to the user (step S204). The details of the estimation process of the recommended print queue will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0073] In step S205, the print queue monitoring unit 409 of the print server 400 determines whether there is a remaining print queue associated with the virtual printer. If not (NO in step S205), the print queue monitoring unit 409 ends the estimation process of the recommended print queue. If there is a remaining print queue (YES in step S205), the print queue monitoring unit 409 returns the process to the print queue monitoring process (step S202).

[0074] 《2-5》Estimation Process of Recommended Print Queue FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the details of the estimation process of the recommended print queue (step S204) in FIG. 10.

[0075] The alternative print queue estimation unit 413 of the print server 400 acquires information about the print queue deleted from the usage / setting information management unit 412, and determines whether the information about the deleted print queue had a high usage frequency (for example, whether it was equal to or higher than a preset reference frequency) (step S301). If the usage frequency is high (YES in step S301), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 proceeds to step S302 and determines whether the virtual printer's own print settings were used. If the usage frequency is low (NO in step S301), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 performs a comparison process of the print functions available between the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer and the driverless print queue (step S307).

[0076] That is, when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue (the second print queue), the print server 400 determines the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen based on the usage information (the first usage information) of the deleted print queue (the first print queue) stored in the storage unit 103. Specifically, when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue (the second print queue), the print server 400 determines the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen differently depending on whether the usage information of the print queue (the first print queue) stored in the storage unit 103 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value or less than the reference value.

[0077] In step S307, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 compares the printing functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the printing functions available in the driverless print queue as an alternative candidate to obtain a function difference.

[0078] In step S302, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 acquires information regarding the deleted print queue from the usage / setting information management unit 412 and determines whether the virtual printer's unique printing settings were used. If they were used (YES in step S302), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 proceeds to step S303 to determine whether there is another print queue targeting the same printer. If they were not used (NO in step S302), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 proceeds to step S307 to compare the printing functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the printing functions available in the driverless print queue as an alternative candidate to obtain a function difference.

[0079] That is, when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue (the second print queue), the print server 400 determines the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen based on the setting information (the first setting information) of the deleted print queue (the first print queue) stored in the storage unit 103. Specifically, when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue (the second print queue), the print server 400 determines the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen differently depending on whether the setting information of the print queue (the first print queue) stored in the storage unit 103 includes unique setting information or not.

[0080] In step S303, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 acquires information on the print queue 201 from the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200, and determines whether there is another print queue associated with the same printer as the printer associated with the deleted print queue. If there is no associated another print queue (NO in step S303), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 proceeds to step S304 and compares the print functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the print functions available in the driverless print queue as an alternative candidate to obtain a function difference. If there is an associated another print queue (YES in step S303), the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 proceeds to step S309 and compares the print functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the print functions available in the found another print queue associated with the same printer to obtain a function difference.

[0081] That is, when instructing the OS to generate a new print queue (the second print queue), the print server 400 determines the proposed content on the display screen differently depending on whether there is another print queue associated with the same printer as the printer associated with the deleted print queue or not.

[0082] In step S304, the usage / setting information management unit 412 of the print server 400 compares the printing functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the printing functions available in another print queue associated with the same printer as the printer associated with the deleted virtual printer, and obtains a function difference. After the completion of this comparison process, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 determines the content of the alternative print queue to propose to the user.

[0083] In step S305, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 determines the proposed content to propose to the user as "addition of a driverless print queue" or "restoration of the deleted print queue". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S306, and the process of displaying a proposal screen is executed.

[0084] In step S306, according to the content of the alternative print queue determined by the alternative print queue estimation unit 413, the management screen display unit 406 of the print server 400 causes the proposal screen presented to the user to be displayed on the display device 105. The details of the process of displaying the proposal screen (step S306) are described in the flowchart of FIG. 12.

[0085] In step S307, the usage / setting information management unit 412 compares the printing functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the printing functions available in the driverless print queue, and obtains a function difference. After the completion of this comparison process, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 determines the content of the alternative print queue to propose to the user.

[0086] In step S308, the alternative print queue estimation unit 413 determines the proposed content to propose to the user as "addition of a driverless print queue". Thereafter, the management screen display unit 406 advances the process to step S306, and causes the proposal screen presented to the user to be displayed on the display device 105.

[0087] In step S309, the Usage / Setting Information Management Unit 412 compares the print functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer with the print functions available in another print queue associated with the same printer as the printer associated with the deleted virtual printer, and obtains a function difference. After the completion of this comparison process, the Usage / Setting Information Management Unit 412 proceeds with the process to step S310 and determines whether there are more print functions available in the print queue associated with the deleted virtual printer.

[0088] In step S310, the Alternative Print Queue Estimation Unit 413 determines, from the result of the function difference comparison process of the Usage / Setting Information Management Unit 412, whether there are more print functions available in the print queue associated with the virtual printer. If there are more print functions available in the print queue (YES in step S310), the process proceeds to step S311. If there are fewer print functions available in the print queue (NO in step S310), the process proceeds to step S312, and in each case, determines the content of the alternative print queue to be proposed to the user.

[0089] In step S311, the Alternative Print Queue Estimation Unit 413 determines, as the content to be proposed to the user, "inheritance processing of presets to the existing print queue" and "restoration of the deleted print queue". Thereafter, the Management Screen Display Unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S306 and causes the display device 105 to display the proposal screen presented to the user.

[0090] In step S312, the Alternative Print Queue Estimation Unit 413 determines the content to be proposed to the user as "inheritance processing of presets to the existing print queue". Thereafter, the Management Screen Display Unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S306 and causes the display device 105 to display the proposal screen presented to the user.

[0091] 《2-6》Processing to display the proposal screen FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the process (step S306) of displaying the proposed screen of the alternative printer in FIG. 11.

[0092] In step S401, the management screen display unit 406 of the print server 400 determines whether the restoration process of the deleted print queue has been selected. If the restoration process of the deleted print queue has been selected (YES in step S401), the management screen display unit 406 instructs the print queue creation unit 410 to proceed with the process to step S404 and issue an instruction to create the deleted print queue, and perform the addition process of the print queue. If the restoration process of the deleted print queue has not been selected (NO in step S401), the management screen display unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S402 and determines whether the addition process of the driverless print queue has been selected.

[0093] In step S402, the management screen display unit 406 determines whether the creation process of the driverless print queue has been selected. If the creation process of the driverless print queue has been selected (YES in step S402), the management screen display unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S406 and instructs the print queue creation unit 410 to create the print queue associated with the target printer, and perform the addition process of the print queue. If the creation process of the driverless print queue has not been selected, the management screen display unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S403 and determines whether the process of inheriting the preset information to the existing print queue has been selected.

[0094] In step S403, the management screen display unit 406 determines whether the process of inheriting the preset information to the existing print queue has been selected. If the process has been selected (YES in step S403), the management screen display unit 406 proceeds with the process to step S408 and instructs the usage / setting information management unit 412 to perform the combination process of the preset information. If the process has not been selected (NO in step S403), the management screen display unit 406 ends the process for displaying the proposed screen.

[0095] In step S404, the print queue creation unit 410 of the print server 400 acquires the information of the deleted print queue from the usage / setting information management unit 412, and performs a creation process of a print queue associated with the virtual printer held by the virtual printer management unit 407 based on the acquired information for the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200. Then, in step S405, the print queue creation unit 410 performs a preset restoration process.

[0096] In step S405, the print queue creation unit 410 acquires the information of the print queue deleted from the usage / setting information management unit 412, and instructs the preset information creation unit 411 to perform a registration process of the preset information of the print queue created in step S404. The preset information creation unit 411 performs a preset registration process for the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200. Then, the management screen display unit 406 ends the process for displaying the proposal screen.

[0097] In step S406, the print queue creation unit 410 acquires the information of the virtual printer associated with the print queue deleted from the virtual printer management unit 407, and instructs the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200 to perform a creation process of a driverless print queue of the printer 500 associated with the virtual printer. Then, in step S407, the print queue creation unit 410 performs a preset restoration process.

[0098] In step S407, the print queue creation unit 410 acquires the information of the print queue deleted from the usage / setting information management unit 412, and issues an instruction to register the preset information of the print queue created in step S406 to the preset information creation unit 411. The preset information creation unit 411 performs a preset registration process on the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200. If there is a difference in the preset information that can be registered, for the functions with differences, the preset information creation unit 411 ignores them and creates and registers only the registrable ones as new preset information. Then, in step S409, a determination process is performed to check whether there is a print queue associated with the virtual printer managed by the virtual printer management unit 407.

[0099] In step S408, the print queue creation unit 410 acquires the information of the print queue deleted from the usage / setting information management unit 412, and issues an instruction to register the preset information to the existing print queue selected as an alternative print queue to the preset information creation unit 411. The preset information creation unit 411 performs a preset registration process on the print queue management unit 202 of the printing system 200. If there is a difference in the preset information that can be registered, for the functions with differences, the preset information creation unit 411 ignores them and creates and registers only the registrable ones as new preset information. Then, in step S409, a determination process is performed to check whether there is a print queue associated with the virtual printer managed by the virtual printer management unit 407.

[0100] In step S409, the virtual printer deletion determination unit 408 checks with the print queue monitoring unit 409 whether there is a print queue associated with the virtual printer management unit 407. If not (NO in step S409), the process proceeds to step S410, and the virtual printer deletion determination unit 408 performs a process of deleting the target virtual printer. If there is (YES in step S409), the management screen display unit 406 ends the process for displaying the proposal screen.

[0101] In step S410, the virtual printer deletion determination unit 408 instructs the virtual printer management unit 407 to delete the target virtual printer. The virtual printer management unit 407 performs the deletion process of the designated virtual printer. Thereafter, the management screen display unit 406 ends the process for displaying the proposal screen.

[0102] 《3》Effects of the Embodiment As described above, by using the print management program, print management method, or computer 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience regarding print settings when newly generating a print queue. Specifically, when a print queue via a virtual printer becomes unnecessary, it is possible to easily construct a standard driverless print queue of the OS, reducing waste paper and the labor of adjusting the paper setting values.

[0103] Also, by using the print management program, print management method, or computer 100 according to the present embodiment, the computer 100 automatically determines whether a print environment via a virtual printer is actually unnecessary, preventing the user from accidentally deleting the virtual printer and avoiding a situation where the print environment needs to be reconstructed again.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0104] 100 Computer (information processing device), 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 103 Storage unit, 104 Interface, 105 Display device, 106 Input device, 200 Printing system, 201 Print queue, 202 Print queue management unit, 300 Printing application, 400 Print server, 401 Search request receiving unit, 402 Search request reply unit, 403 Print job receiving unit, 404 Print job conversion unit, 405 Print job sending unit, 406 Management screen display unit, 407 Virtual printer management unit, 408 Virtual printer deletion determination unit, 409 Print queue monitoring unit, 410 Print queue creation unit, 411 Preset information creation unit, 412 Usage / setting information management unit, 413 Alternative print queue estimation unit, 420 Virtual printer, 500 Printer, 600 Print queue management screen, 700 Print queue creation screen, 800, 810, 820, 830 Proposal screen.

Claims

1. A print management program installed in an information processing device for managing printing, comprising: storing, in a storage unit, first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue managed by an operating system of the information processing device; when the first print queue is deleted by a user interface provided by the operating system, displaying a display screen based on the first usage information stored in the storage unit and enabling reception of an instruction indicating whether to generate a second print queue; when receiving the instruction indicating generation of the second print queue on the display screen, instructing the operating system to generate the second print queue associated with second setting information generated based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit; A print management program that causes the information processing device to execute the above steps.

2. When instructing generation of the second print queue, displaying a list of printers connected to the information processing device and virtual printers existing on the operating system on the display screen The print management program according to claim 1.

3. When instructing generation of the second print queue, determining proposed content to be displayed on the display screen based on the first usage information of the first print queue stored in the storage unit The print management program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When instructing generation of the second print queue, the proposed content displayed on the display screen differs depending on whether the first usage information of the first print queue stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a preset reference value for the usage frequency of the first print queue or less than the reference value The print management program according to claim 3.

5. When instructing generation of the second print queue, determining proposed content to be displayed on the display screen based on the first usage information and the first setting information of the first print queue stored in the storage unit The print management program according to claim 1 or 2.

6. When instructing the generation of the second print queue, the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen differs depending on whether the first usage information of the first print queue stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a preset reference value for the usage frequency of the first print queue, or less than the reference value. The print management program according to claim 5.

7. When instructing the generation of the second print queue, the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen differs depending on whether the first setting information of the first print queue stored in the storage unit includes unique setting information or does not include it. The print management program according to claim 5.

8. When instructing the generation of the second print queue, the proposed content to be displayed on the display screen differs depending on whether another print queue associated with the same printer as the printer associated with the first print queue stored in the storage unit exists in the storage unit or not. The print management program according to claim 1.

9. A print management method installed in an information processing device for managing printing, comprising: storing, in a storage unit, first usage information and first setting information of a first print queue managed by an operating system of the information processing device; when the first print queue is deleted by a user interface provided by the operating system, displaying a display screen based on the first usage information stored in the storage unit and making it possible to receive an instruction indicating whether to generate a second print queue; when receiving the instruction indicating to generate the second print queue on the display screen, instructing the operating system to generate the second print queue associated with second setting information generated based on the first setting information stored in the storage unit; A print management method having the above steps.

10. An information processing device in which the print management program according to claim 1 is installed.

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