Application program, control method, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: consideration is not taken for a method for appropriately starting up an extended application for extending a function of a printer driver to execute print processing.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises print data generation software acquired at a first timing, and printing software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing and different from the print data generation software. When setting information corresponding to a start-up condition for the printing software is included in print setting information that is set by using a setting screen provided by the printing software, the information processing apparatus starts up the printing software.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Windows (registered trademark), a dedicated application for extending the functions of a printer driver can be provided. This application is called a Windows Store Device App (WSDA). By providing the WSDA, a vendor providing a printing device can customize a printing setting screen when printing from a specific application (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, further improvement in convenience in printing processing has been desired.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to further improve convenience in printing processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus including print data generation software acquired at a first timing and print software different from the print data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing, the apparatus comprising: an association means for associating the print data generation software with the print software; a specifying means for specifying print setting information set using a setting screen provided by the print software; a control means for starting the print software when the specified print setting information includes setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the print software, and suppressing the activation of the print software when the specified print setting information does not include the setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the print software; and the print data generation software associated with the print software generates print data based on the print setting information set using the setting screen provided by the print software.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention makes it possible to improve the convenience in print processing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred 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 the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system. In this figure, the host computer 101 is an example of an information processing apparatus, and has an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. Further, input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110, and a display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115.

[0011] The initialization program is stored in the ROM 112, and the external storage device 114 stores an application program group, an operating system (OS), a print data generation application, and various other data. The RAM 113 is used as a work memory or the like when executing various programs stored in the external storage device 114.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the CPU 111 executes the functions described below in the host computer 101 and the processes according to the flowchart described below by performing processing according to the procedures of the program stored in the ROM 112. The printing device 102, which is a device, is connected to the host computer 101 via the input / output interface 116. Here, the host computer 101 and the printing device 102 are separately configured, but they may be configured as one information processing device. Note that, although an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto the paper surface will be described as an example of the printing device, printing may be executed by other methods (for example, an electrophotographic method). Further, the host computer 101 may be a desktop personal computer, a smartphone, or a notebook personal computer.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data flow in printing. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing the data flow when the extended application 203 is not associated with the application 201, the print data generation software 202, and the printing device 102. The user instructs printing from the application 201. Note that the application 201 is software for creating the content to be printed, and corresponds to, for example, a document creation application or a spreadsheet application. When instructing printing, the user performs a setting process using the print setting screen provided by the OS or the print data generation software 202. By this setting process, the print data generation software generates print setting information. Note that the print setting information includes setting information corresponding to the set values set using the print setting screen. Note that the print setting information may also be called a PrintTciket. The OS generates intermediate data (also called input data) based on the application data output from the application based on the print instruction, and passes it to the print data generation software 202. Note that the data output by the application for printing is data in the Graphic Device Interface format (GDI format data) or data in the XML Paper Specification format (XPS format data). The print data generation software 202 generates print data interpretable by the printing device from the intermediate data based on the print setting information set by the user, and transmits it to the printing device 102. Note that the print data generation software 202 generates print data that can be used in printing devices of multiple vendors. That is, the printing device of vendor A can print using the print data generated by the print data generation software 202. Also, the printing device of vendor B can print using the print data generated by the print data generation software 202. The printing device 102 performs printing on the paper based on the print data sent from the print data generation software 202.

[0014] FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing a data flow when the extended application 203 is associated with the print data generation software 202. Note that the print data generation software 202 is software pre-included in the OS. That is, the print data generation software can also be used when the OS is installed in the device. On the other hand, the extended application 203 is software not pre-included in the OS. Therefore, the user needs to operate the host computer to download the extended application 203 from the server via the network and install it. Also, when the printing device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the CPU 111 acquires device identification information from the printing device 102. Then, the CPU 111 may acquire and install the extended application 203 corresponding to the acquired device identification information from the server via the network. That is, the print data generation software 202 and the extended application 203 are held in the host computer 101 as separate files. Note that the print data generation software 202 and the extended application 203 may be updated and version-updated, but this update process is also performed at different timings. That is, the timing at which the print data generation software 202 is acquired by the host computer 101 and the timing at which the extended application 203 is acquired are different. Also, the trigger at which the print data generation software 202 is acquired by the host computer 101 and the trigger at which the extended application 203 is acquired are different. Note that when the extended application 203 is installed, the OS associates the print data generation software 202 with the extended application 203. The extended application 203 described in this embodiment includes a print setting screen extension unit 204, a layout extension unit 205, and a preview unit 206.

[0015] Note that the operation of the extended application 203 may end each time the processing of each unit is completed. In that case, the OS will start the extended application 203 each time a request to use each unit is received. Also, another form is conceivable. For example, when the processing of the print setting screen extension unit 204 is completed, the OS ends the operation of the extended application 203, but the OS may leave the extended application 203 running even when the processing of the layout extension unit 205 is completed.

[0016] Subsequently, the layout extension unit 205 and the preview unit 206 will be described. The layout extension unit 205 performs layout processing based on the intermediate data before being processed by the print data generation software 202. For example, the layout extension unit 205 provides an assignment printing function (also called N-in-1 printing) that arranges and prints a plurality of pages on one side of a sheet of paper. Also, the preview unit 206 can execute at least one of display and editing of the print data generated by the print data generation software 202. Also, each unit of the extended application 203 can display a UI, but it is not necessary to display the UI. For example, for the layout extension unit 205, only the editing of the intermediate data may be performed without displaying the UI, and the edited intermediate data may be output to the print data generation software 202. Note that when the layout extension unit 205 can display a UI, for example, a preview screen including a setting area for changing the preview image and print setting information based on the intermediate data may be displayed. Needless to say, the configuration of the extended application 203 for realizing the present invention is not limited to having all of the above-described functions, and may have only some of the functions or may have other functions. Note that the extended application 203 may simply be called print software. As described above, it can be said that the extended application 203 has at least one of the functions of displaying a setting screen, editing input data input to the print data generation software, and displaying print data.

[0017] The user instructs printing from the application 201. At this time, the user performs setting processing using the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 204 provided by the extended application 203. Through this setting processing, the print setting screen extension unit 204 generates print setting information. Details of the print setting function will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0018] The OS generates intermediate data based on the print instruction, application data, and print setting information, and activates the layout extension unit 205 of the extended application 203. The intermediate data includes drawing data corresponding to the content to be printed and print setting information. Note that the OS generates XPS format data as intermediate data based on, for example, the GDI data output from the application 201. When the application 201 outputs XPS format data as application data, the OS may directly pass the XPS format data to the layout extension unit 205. Also, when the application 201 outputs XPS format data as application data, the OS may generate XPS format data obtained by modifying the XPS format data that is the application data. The layout extension unit 205 edits the drawing data based on the drawing data included in the generated intermediate data and the print setting information generated using, for example, the screen of FIG. 3. The layout extension unit 205 outputs the edited drawing data to the print data generation software 202. The print data generation software 202 generates and outputs print data interpretable by the printing device based on the print setting information generated based on the setting operation by the user and the edited drawing data. Next, the OS activates the preview unit 206 of the extended application 203. The preview unit 206 acquires the print data generated by the print data generation software 202 and displays a print preview. After the user confirms that the desired print result is obtained through the print preview, the user instructs the start of printing using the UI of the print preview. When the preview unit 206 receives an instruction to start printing from the user, it outputs the print data. The print data output from the preview unit 206 is sent to the printing device 102. The printing device 102 performs printing on the paper based on the print data sent from the host computer 101. With the above configuration, the user can use layout functions and print preview functions that the print data generation software 202 does not have through the extended application.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an example of a print settings screen provided by the print settings screen extension unit 204 of the extended application 203. When the user performs printing from the application, the user sets print setting information using this screen. When the extended application 203 is not associated with print data generation software 202 or the like, it is common to use the standard print settings screen provided by the OS or the print data generation software 202. In the standard print settings screen, only print setting information corresponding to the functions provided by the print data generation software 202 can be set. On the other hand, in the print settings screen provided by the extended application 203, print setting information corresponding to the extended functions provided by the extended application 203 can also be set. In the example of FIG. 3, it is possible to set the assignment printing provided by the layout extension unit 205 and the print preview function provided by the preview unit 206.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the assignment printing function provided by the layout extension unit 205 of the extended application 203. In assignment printing, layout is performed so that a plurality of pages in intermediate data based on application data are arranged on one side of a sheet of paper. In the example of FIG. 4, two-page printing (2in1) is set, and the layout extension unit 205 generates drawing data 403 in which two consecutive pages 401 and 402 are arranged on one side of a sheet of paper. In addition to two-page printing, there are also settings for arranging more pages on one side of a sheet of paper. The layout extension unit 205 in the present embodiment will be described hereinafter as having layout functions for two-page printing and four-page printing as the assignment printing function.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an example of a print preview screen provided by the preview unit 206 of the extended application 203. The display item 501 is used to change the page to be displayed on the print preview. The user can change the page to be displayed by operating this display item 501, and can also check the total number of pages of printing generated by the current print data and print settings. The display item 502 is a print preview screen showing an image of the print result of the specified page. The display item 503 is a button for starting printing. The display item 504 is a cancel button. When the user presses this button, subsequent printing processing is canceled. Note that the preview image displayed in FIG. 5 corresponds to the content generated by the application.

[0022] A vendor providing a printing device can expand the functions of the print data generation software 202 by using the extended application 203. However, there is a concern that if the extended application 203 is associated with the print data generation software 202 and the extended application 203 is launched every time printing is performed, the time required for the entire printing will increase. Therefore, by allowing the user to set the launch settings of the extended application 203 and switching whether to launch the extended application 203 or not, appropriate printing processing is executed.

[0023] That is, the user sets ON / OFF as the startup setting of the extension application 203. For example, ON / OFF may be set as the startup setting of the extension application 203 using the screen in FIG. 3. Also, before using the extension application 203, the user may use another application to set ON / OFF as the startup setting of the extension application 203. The OS checks the startup setting of the extension application 203 and starts it only when it is ON. Thereby, the user can select whether to use the extension application 203 or not. With this mechanism, when the user does not need the function expansion by the extension application 203, the increase in the time taken for the entire printing can be suppressed by setting it to OFF.

[0024] Also, it is desirable that the extension application 203 is started only when the user wants to use the functions provided by the extension application 203. For example, when the extension application 203 provides a print preview function, the extension application 203 should be started only when the user instructs printing with the print preview setting turned ON on the screen in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the startup source of the extension application 203 needs to recognize under what printing setting information the extension application should be started (hereinafter, the startup source of the extension application will be described as the OS). Therefore, a configuration will be described in which the extension application 203 registers startup conditions and the OS starts the extension application 203 when the registered startup conditions are met.

[0025] In implementing this configuration, first, a CUSTOM setting for determining startup availability based on print setting information is added to the above-described startup conditions of the extension application 203. When CUSTOM is selected in the startup setting, the OS makes a startup determination of the extension application based on the registered startup conditions.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of registration information of startup conditions. In the present embodiment, the extended application 203 provides an assignment printing function by the layout extension unit 205 and a print preview function by the preview unit 206. Also, the user can set the assignment printing and print preview for the print settings associated with the print job in the print settings screen extension unit 204.

[0027] When the extended application 203 is associated with the print data generation software 202, it registers the print setting information that serves as the startup trigger for the extended application 203 itself. Note that the timing of registering the information is not limited to the timing when the extended application 203 is associated with the print data generation software 202. It is also possible for the user to change it at any timing through the extended application 203, and the registration timing of the startup condition information is not limited.

[0028] As the registration information, there are three pieces of information: Feature indicating the target function, Options which is a list of setting items to be started when set, and Timing indicating the startup timing. Timing is associated with a numerical value and the startup timing. In the case of 1, the extended application 203 starts before the startup of the print data generation software 202, and in the case of 2, the extended application 203 starts after the startup of the print data generation software 202. In the example of FIG. 6, when the JobPreview setting corresponding to the print preview function is ON, it is registered so that the extended application 203 starts after the startup of the print data generation software 202. Also, for the Feature of JobNUpAllDocumentsContiguously corresponding to the assignment print setting, when 2-page printing (PagesPerSheet_2) or 4-page printing (PagesPerSheet_4) is set, it is registered so that the extended application 203 starts before the startup of the print data generation software 202.

[0029] Furthermore, the registration information of the startup conditions described in this embodiment is just an example for realizing this configuration, and the content of the registration information is not limited to the information described above. For example, when there is a setting that needs to be started either before or after, in addition to the above-mentioned settings, it is also conceivable to provide a setting for which both before and after are targets for startup in Timing. Also, when the extended application 203 starts only before or after the print data generation software 202, it is also conceivable that the Timing setting itself becomes unnecessary.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a flowchart regarding the control of the startup process of the extended application 203 in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the startup of the extended application is described as being borne by the OS, but in reality, a configuration in which there is a startup module held by the OS is conceivable. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 7 starts, for example, based on the user setting print setting information using FIG. 3 and then instructing printing using an application (that is, an instruction to generate intermediate data in the OS). Also, the flowchart in FIG. 7 starts based on the print data generation software 202 outputting print data.

[0031] First, the OS checks the startup setting of the extended application 203 (S701). The startup setting of the extended application 203 can be set to one of ON / OFF / CUSTOM. For example, in the selection options of "Extended App Startup" on the setting screen in FIG. 3, there are ON, OFF, and Automatic. When ON is selected as "Extended App Startup" using FIG. 3, S701 determines it as ON, and when OFF is selected, S701 determines it as OFF. On the other hand, when Automatic is selected, it is determined as CUSTOM. If the startup setting of the extended application 203 is ON, it proceeds to S702, and the OS starts the extended application 203. If the startup setting of the extended application 203 is OFF, the startup process ends without starting the extended application 203. If the extended application 203 is not started, the OS inputs intermediate data to the print data generation software 202 and outputs print data to the printing device 102, similar to FIG. 2(a).

[0032] When the startup setting of the extended application 203 is CUSTOM, it is determined whether the startup timing is before the processing of the print data generation software 202 (S703), and a numerical value corresponding to Timing to be confirmed among the startup condition information is stored in the variable n. Note that S703 is realized by determining whether the flowchart in FIG. 7 is started based on the user's instruction to print using the application or based on the print data generation software 202 outputting print data.

[0033] When the flowchart in FIG. 7 is started based on the user's instruction to print using the application, the OS determines that the startup timing is before the processing of the print data generation software 202 and stores 1 in the variable n (S704). On the other hand, when the flowchart in FIG. 7 is started based on the print data generation software 202 outputting print data, the OS determines that the startup timing is after the processing of the print data generation software 202 and stores 2 in the variable n (S705). Next, the OS acquires information in which Timing matches the value of n stored in S704 and S705 from the startup condition information (S706). For example, when it is determined in S703 that the startup timing is before the processing of the print data generation software 202, 1 is stored in the variable n in S704. Then, in S706, the item with Timing of 1 is acquired from the registration information of the startup conditions in FIG. 6. That is, "JobNUpAllDocumentsContiguously" and "PagesPerSheet_2 / 4" are acquired.

[0034] Next, the OS identifies the print setting information set by the user, compares it with the startup condition information acquired in S706, and checks whether there is matching print setting information (S707). When the startup condition in FIG. 6 is registered, the OS checks whether the setting value of JobNUpAllDocumentsContiguously in the print setting information is PagesPerSheet_2 or PagesPerSheet_4. If it is determined that there is matching print setting information, the process proceeds to S702, and the OS starts the extension application 203. In the example of FIG. 6, there is only one setting with Timing being 1, but it is also conceivable that the layout extension unit has multiple layout settings and there are settings for each of them. In that case, the OS performs collation for all the registered information, and if there is any match, the process proceeds to S702 and the extension application 203 is started. As a result of collating all the startup condition information, if there is no matching print setting information, the OS ends the startup process without starting the extension application 203. That is, in the present embodiment, when the extension application 203 is started before the print data generation software 202 generates print data, the extension application 203 executes editing processing on the intermediate data (input data).

[0035] Also, for example, when it is determined that the startup timing is after the processing of the print data generation software 202, the value 2 is stored in the variable n at S705. Then, at S706, the item with Timing equal to 2 is acquired from the startup condition registration information in FIG. 6. That is, "JobPreview" and "ON" are acquired. Next, the OS checks the print setting information set by the user, compares it with the startup condition information acquired at S706, and checks whether there is matching print setting information (S707). When the startup conditions in FIG. 6 are registered, the OS checks whether the setting value of Preview in the print setting information is ON. When it is determined that there is matching print setting information, the process moves to S702, and the OS starts the extended application 203. That is, in the present embodiment, when the extended application 203 is started after the print data generation software 202 generates the print data, the extended application 203 executes preview image display processing using the print data.

[0036] As described above, in the present embodiment, the OS can start the extended application 203 only when the function provided by the extended application 203 is used based on the registered startup condition information. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the performance degradation caused by the association of the extended application 203 for prints where the user does not use the extended function provided by the extended application 203.

[0037] In the process of FIG. 7, a case where three options, ON / OFF / CUSTOM, can be set as the startup setting of the extended application 203 has been described. However, the options for "Extended Application Startup" in FIG. 3 may also be only ON / OFF. In this case, the OS does not execute S703 - S707. On the other hand, in the process of FIG. 7, a case where only CUSTOM can be set as the startup setting of the extended application 203 is also conceivable. In this case, the option for "Extended Application Startup" may not exist on the screen of FIG. 3, and the OS executes S702 and S703 - S707 but does not execute S701.

[0038] Also, in this embodiment, it has been described that the startup settings of the extended application 203 are performed using the screen of FIG. 3, but other methods may also be used. For example, when the extended application 203 is started alone, a screen 1000 as shown in FIG. 10(A) may be displayed. The display item 1001 accepts the selection of the target printing device. The display item 1002 is used to display FIG. 10(B). The user may specify the startup method of the extended application 203 using the display item 1003 in FIG. 10(B). Also, FIG. 3 may be displayed when the display item 1002 is selected in FIG. 10(A). Note that the printing devices registered in the associated print data generation software 202 are displayed in the display item 1001 of FIG. 10A. If a plurality of printing devices are registered in the print data generation software 202, the plurality of printing devices are displayed as options. Also, when printer information is selected on the screen of FIG. 10A, the status information of the printing device selected by the display item 1001 (such as the status of the printing device and the remaining ink amount of the printing device) is displayed. Note that the status information of the printing device may be acquired via the print data generation software 202. Also, the address information of the printing device selected by the display item 1001 may be acquired from the print data generation software 202, and the extended application 203 may acquire the status information of the printing device using the acquired address information. Also, when an ink order is selected, a web browser may be launched and a web page for printing orders may be displayed. Also, when an ink model is selected, the ink information available for the printing device selected by the display item 1001 may be displayed.

[0039] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, print setting information serving as a startup condition is registered, and the OS starts the extension application 203 only when the corresponding print setting information is set, thereby realizing starting the extension application 203 only when the user needs an extension function. However, in Embodiment 1, at each startup timing, since it is necessary to compare the registered startup condition with the print setting information entered by the user, there is a problem that the setting confirmation process takes time. In particular, the more startup conditions are set, the more time the OS takes to determine whether the print setting information matches the startup conditions. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method for reducing the time required to determine whether to start the extension application 203 is proposed. In this embodiment, a common extension application startup setting serving as a trigger for starting the extension application 203 is provided in the print setting information. Then, the print setting screen extension unit 204 of the extension application 203 instructs startup by changing the extension application startup setting based on the print setting information set by the user. Although the extension application 203 is provided by each vendor, the above-mentioned extension application startup setting is commonly set for any extension application 203 from any vendor. As a result, the OS that starts the extension application 203 only needs to refer to, for example, only the extension application startup setting in the print setting information. Consequently, since the information referred to by the OS can be reduced, the time required to determine whether to start the extension application 203 can be shortened.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing the setting process of the extension application startup setting by the print setting screen extension unit 204. Note that FIG. 8 may be executed at the timing when the OK button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 3, or may be executed each time the print setting information is changed on the screen of FIG. 3.

[0041] Here, as extended application startup settings, there are two settings: LaunchExtendAppBefore, which indicates that the extended application 203 is to be launched before the print data generation software 202, and LaunchExtendAppLater, which indicates that the extended application 203 is to be launched after the print data generation software 202. For each of the extended application startup settings, ON and OFF can be set, and setting ON indicates that the extended application 203 is to be launched at the corresponding timing. In this embodiment, there are two settings and it is determined whether to launch before or after, but a configuration where a single setting is used and it is determined whether to launch before or after based on the setting value is also conceivable. In that case, the setting value needs to have three values: launch before the print data generation software 202 / launch after the print data generation software 202 / do not launch. Also, when the extended application 203 is launched only before or after the print data generation software 202, it is possible to determine using the ON / OFF of a single setting value.

[0042] First, the print setting screen extension unit 204 checks whether there is a setting to use the layout extension unit 205 in the print setting information set by the user (S801). When it wants to be launched under the same conditions as the registration information shown in FIG. 6, the print setting screen extension unit 204 checks whether two-page printing or four-page printing is set in the assignment setting.

[0043] When it is determined that there is print setting information using the layout extension unit 205, the print setting screen extension unit 204 sets the LaunchExtendAppBefore setting to ON (S802).

[0044] Next, the print settings screen extension unit 204 checks whether there is a setting to use the preview unit 206 for the print setting information set by the user (S803). When it is desired to start up under the same conditions as the registration information shown in FIG. 6, the print settings screen extension unit 204 checks whether the print preview setting is set to ON. If it is determined that there is print setting information using the preview unit 206, the print settings screen extension unit 204 sets the LaunchExtendAppLater setting to ON (S804). Thereby, appropriate extended application startup settings can be made according to the print setting information set by the user.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the startup process of the extended application 203 in Embodiment 2. The OS starts up the extended application 203 at an appropriate timing based on the extended application startup settings set by the print settings screen extension unit 204. Also in this embodiment, although the startup of the extended application is described as being the responsibility of the OS, actually a configuration in which there is a startup module held by the OS can be considered.

[0046] Note that since the processing in the case of being determined as ON or OFF in S901 in FIG. 9 is the same as that in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted, and the processing after S903 in the case where CUSTOM is set will be described.

[0047] When the startup setting of the extended application 203 is CUSTOM, the OS determines whether the startup timing is before the processing of the print data generation software 202 (S703). If it is before the processing, it proceeds to S904, and if it is after the processing, it proceeds to S905. In S904, it is checked whether the LaunchExtendAppBefore setting indicating whether to start the extended application 203 before the print data generation software 202 is set to ON. If ON is set, the OS starts the extended application 203. If OFF is set, the OS ends the startup process without starting the extended application 203.

[0048] In S905, it is checked whether the LaunchExtendAppLater setting indicating whether to launch the extended application 203 after the print data generation software 202 is set to ON. If it is set to ON, the OS launches the extended application 203. If it is set to OFF, the OS ends the startup process without launching the extended application 203. Similar to Embodiment 1, the OS outputs intermediate data to the print data generation software 202 and outputs print data to the printing device 102.

[0049] In this embodiment, by performing part of the startup determination of the extended application 203 based on the print settings at the time of printing and setting the extended application startup setting, the load of the startup permission determination process performed by the startup module can be reduced. As a result, part of the determination process is borne at the time of print setting, and compared with Embodiment 1, the time taken from the user's print start instruction to print completion can be shortened.

[0050] <Other Embodiments> The above-described embodiments can also be implemented by executing the following processes. That is, a recording medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus. Then, a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. Thereby, the above-described object can be achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

[0051] As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD, etc. can be used.

[0052] Moreover, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Based on the instructions of the program code, an OS or the like running on the computer may perform part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by such processing.

[0053] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program code, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing. The functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by such processing.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0054] 102 Printing device 202 Printing data generation software 203 Extended application 204 Printing settings screen extension unit 205 Layout extension unit 206 Preview unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising print data generation software acquired at a first timing and print software different from the print data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing, associating means for associating the print data generation software with the print software, specifying means for specifying print setting information set using a setting screen provided by the print software, control means for starting the print software when the specified print setting information includes setting information corresponding to a start condition of the print software, and suppressing starting of the print software when the specified print setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the start condition of the print software, wherein the control means generates print data based on the print setting information set using the setting screen provided by the print software by executing the print data generation software associated with the print software. The information processing apparatus is characterized by this.

2. An information processing apparatus comprising print data generation software acquired at a first timing and print software different from the print data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing, setting means for setting print setting information using a setting screen provided by the print software, control means for starting the print software when the print setting information includes setting information corresponding to a start condition of the print software, and suppressing starting of the print software when the print setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the start condition of the print software. The information processing apparatus is characterized by having this.

3. When the print setting information includes first setting information corresponding to a start condition of the print software, the print software is started before the print data generation software generates print data, When the print setting information includes second setting information different from the first setting information corresponding to the start condition of the print software, the print software is started after the print data generation software generates print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this.

4. The first setting information is information regarding an allocation setting indicating the number of pages arranged on the sheet surface, and the second setting information is information regarding whether to display a preview image, in the information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The print data generation software generates print data based on input data input to the print data generation software and the print setting information. When the print software is started before the print data generation software generates print data, the print software executes an editing process on the input data. When the print software is started after the print data generation software generates print data, the print software executes a preview image display process using the print data, in the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The print software includes a function of displaying a setting screen, a function of editing input data input to the print data generation software, and a function of displaying print data generated by the print data generation software based on the input data, in the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A computer including print data generation software acquired at a first timing and print software different from the print data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing. An association means for associating the print data generation software and the print software. A specifying means for specifying print setting information set using a setting screen provided by the print software. When the specified print setting information includes setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the print software, the print software is activated, and when the specified print setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the print software, it functions as a control means for suppressing the activation of the print software. A program readable by the computer, wherein print data based on print setting information set using the setting screen provided by the print software is generated by the print data generation software associated with the print software.

8. A computer comprising printing data generation software acquired at a first timing and printing software different from the printing data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing. Function as setting means for setting print setting information using a setting screen provided by the printing software. When the print setting information includes setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software, the printing software is activated. When the print setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software, activation of the printing software is suppressed. A program readable by the computer, characterized in that.

9. When the print setting information includes first setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software, the printing software is activated before the printing data generation software generates printing data. The program according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that when the print setting information includes second setting information different from the first setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software, the printing software is activated after the printing data generation software generates printing data.

10. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that the first setting information is information related to an allocation setting indicating the number of pages arranged on the paper surface, and the second setting information is information related to whether or not to display a preview image.

11. The printing data generation software generates input data input to the printing data generation software and the printing data based on the print setting information. When the printing software is activated before the printing data generation software generates printing data, an editing process for the input data is executed by the printing software. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that when the printing software is activated after the printing data generation software generates printing data, a preview image display process using the printing data is executed by the printing software.

12. The program according to claim 9, wherein the printing software has a function of displaying a setting screen, a function of editing input data input to the printing data generation software, and a function of displaying printing data generated by the printing data generation software based on the input data.

13. A control method executed in an information processing apparatus including printing data generation software acquired at a first timing and printing software different from the printing data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing, comprising: an association step in which an association means associates the printing data generation software with the printing software; a specifying step in which a specifying means specifies printing setting information set using a setting screen provided by the printing software; a control step in which a control means activates the printing software when the specified printing setting information includes setting information corresponding to an activation condition of the printing software, and suppresses activation of the printing software when the specified printing setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software; The printing data generation software associated with the printing software generates printing data based on the printing setting information set using the setting screen provided by the printing software when executed by the control means. Control method characterized by that.

14. A control method executed in an information processing apparatus including printing data generation software acquired at a first timing and printing software different from the printing data generation software acquired at a second timing different from the first timing, comprising: a setting step in which a setting means sets printing setting information using a setting screen provided by the printing software; a control step in which a control means activates the printing software when the printing setting information includes setting information corresponding to an activation condition of the printing software, and suppresses activation of the printing software when the printing setting information does not include setting information corresponding to the activation condition of the printing software. Control method characterized by having.

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