Program, information processing apparatus, and method of controlling information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a mechanism that can make FAX settings adaptable to an image processing apparatus as a connection destination.SOLUTION: A client terminal 101 includes an OS 302 and a print setting extension application 307 that extends functions of a standard driver pre-installed in the OS 302. The client terminal 101 acquires FAX capability information of a printer 104 as a connection destination and receives settings of the functions based on the FAX capability information. The client terminal 101 causes the standard driver to generate image data on the basis of the settings and causes the printer 104 to execute FAX transmission processing of the image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, Windows (registered trademark) has provided general-purpose software (hereinafter referred to as "standard driver") that can be applied to various image processing devices provided by different manufacturers. Such standard drivers are pre-installed in the OS and can be used by connecting any image processing device to an information processing device equipped with this OS. This eliminates the need to separately install a manufacturer-specific printer driver, making it highly convenient. However, because standard drivers are applicable to various image processing devices provided by various manufacturers, they can only use standard functions and cannot use manufacturer-specific functions. Extension applications that extend the functions of such standard drivers have been developed.

[0003] Incidentally, a technique has been proposed for an information processing device that causes a connected image processing device to display a FAX setting UI for executing FAX transmission processing (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-80177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, regardless of whether the image processing device connected to the information processing device has a manufacturer-specific fax function in addition to the standard fax function, a fax setting UI consisting only of setting items for the standard fax function is displayed, and therefore the user cannot configure fax settings appropriate for the connected image processing device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows a fax setting to be made according to the image processing apparatus to be connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the program of the present invention is an extension application program that extends the functions of general-purpose software pre-installed in an operating system, and is characterized in that it causes an information processing device equipped with the operating system to execute the following steps: acquiring fax capability information of an image processing device connected to the information processing device; accepting function settings based on the fax capability information; causing the general-purpose software to generate image data based on the settings; and causing the image processing device to execute fax transmission processing of the image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform FAX settings according to the image processing apparatus to be connected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a network diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system including a client terminal as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a software configuration of the client terminal of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4]2 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of a FAX transmission control process executed by the printing system of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a FAX transmission result details screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 2(a). [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting UI display control process of S415 in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting UI for FAX. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting UI. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the PDL type determination process in S427 of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a software configuration of a client terminal as an information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of a FAX transmission control process executed by a printing system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes in detail embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a printing system including an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] 1 is a network diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system including a client terminal 101 as an information processing device according to this embodiment. In this printing system, the client terminal 101, a cloud print server 102, an application management server 103, a printer 104, and an online support server 105 are connected via a network 107.

[0012] Although FIG. 1 shows one client terminal 101 and one printer 104, this printing system may include a plurality of client terminals 101 and a plurality of printers 104.

[0013] Furthermore, the cloud print server 102, the application management server 103, and the online support server 105 may be a server system configured with multiple communication devices. By configuring each server as a server system configured with multiple communication devices, the processing load can be distributed to the multiple communication devices.

[0014] Furthermore, the cloud print server 102, the application management server 103, and the online support server 105 may be virtually configured within one physical communication device.

[0015] Regarding the network 107, it is assumed that the connection to the cloud service is a WAN such as the Internet, but it may also be a closed environment such as an in-house LAN.

[0016] The client terminal 101 is an information processing device such as a PC, a tablet, or a smartphone, and is a terminal that is directly operated by a user. Any application software can be executed on the client terminal 101.

[0017] The printer 104 is a device that prints on a recording medium such as paper (sheets), and is an image processing apparatus that converts print data received via the network 107 into image data and prints the image data. The printer 104 receives print data generated by a cloud printer driver 304 (cloud general-purpose software) of the client terminal 101 (described later in FIG. 3) via the cloud print server 102. The printer 104 also receives print data generated by a local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software) of the client terminal 101 (described later in FIG. 3) without going through the cloud print server 102. The printer 104 also has a FAX (Facsimile) communication function, acquires FAX transmission data generated by the client terminal 101 from the client terminal 101, and FAXes the FAX transmission data to a device designated by the user.

[0018] The cloud print server 102 receives a print instruction and print data from an external device, and then transmits the received print data to a designated printer 104.

[0019] The application management server 103 is a server device that provides an application management service 131, and holds and manages various applications. The application management server 103 receives application identification information and a download request from the client terminal 101, and transmits to the client terminal 101 the application identified based on the received identification information.

[0020] The online support server 105 is a server device that provides an online support service 151. The online support service 151 provides the client terminal 101 with an extension setup information file that describes information for extending the functions of the client terminal 101.

[0021] The local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software) is pre-installed in the operating system, and the cloud printer driver 304 (cloud general-purpose software) is also pre-installed in the operating system.

[0022] Next, the hardware configuration of the printing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] FIG. 2( a ) is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the client terminal 101 .

[0024] The client terminal 101 includes a display unit 216 , an operation unit 217 , a storage unit 214 , a control unit 211 , and a network communication unit 215 .

[0025] The storage unit 214 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), and is capable of storing and rewriting digital data.

[0026] The control unit 211 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 212 and a memory 213, and controls the overall operation of the client terminal 101. The CPU 212 loads programs stored in the storage unit 214 into the memory 213 and executes them. The memory 213 is the main storage memory of the CPU 212, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for loading various programs.

[0027] The network communication unit 215 is a device that communicates with the external network 107, and inputs and outputs digital data to and from external servers, client terminals, and the like via the network 107.

[0028] The display unit 216 is a device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying visual information to the user. The operation unit 217 is a device for receiving input from the user via a keyboard, mouse, etc. A device having the functions of both the display unit 216 and the operation unit 217, such as a touch panel, may also be used.

[0029] Fig. 2(b) is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the cloud print server 102. The cloud print server 102 includes a storage unit 224, a control unit 221, and a network communication unit 225. The storage unit 224, the control unit 221, and the network communication unit 225 will not be described here because they are the same as those of the client terminal 101. The cloud print server 102 will be described as being configured by one communication device having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2(b), but the cloud print server 102 may be configured by multiple communication devices.

[0030] Fig. 2(c) is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the application management server 103. The application management server 103 includes a display unit 236, an operation unit 237, a storage unit 234, a control unit 231, and a network communication unit 235. The display unit 236, the operation unit 237, the storage unit 234, the control unit 231, and the network communication unit 235 will not be described here because they are the same as those of the client terminal 101. The application management server 103 will be described as being configured by a single communication device having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2(c), but the application management server 103 may be configured by multiple communication devices.

[0031] 2(d) is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the printer 104. The printer 104 includes a display unit 246, an operation unit 247, a storage unit 244, a control unit 241, a network communication unit 245, a printing unit 248, and a FAX communication unit 249.

[0032] The display unit 246 is a device for displaying information to the user, such as a touch panel or LEDs provided on the printer 104. The operation unit 247 is a device for receiving input from the user, and may include hard keys such as a numeric keypad in addition to a touch panel. The storage unit 244 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or SSD, and is capable of saving and rewriting digital data. The control unit 241 is composed of a CPU 242 and memory 243, and controls the overall operation of the printer 104. The CPU 242 loads programs stored in the storage unit 244 into the memory 243 and executes them. The memory 243 is the main storage memory of the CPU 242, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for loading various programs.

[0033] The network communication unit 245 is a device that communicates with the external network 107, and its main role is to receive print data and send information about the printer 104 status, such as errors, to an external server or the like. The printing unit 248 has an image forming unit that forms an image on paper transported from a cassette or tray. The image formation method is not particularly limited, and may be electrophotographic or inkjet. The paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit is transported to a finishing device (not shown), where finishing processes such as stapling and punching are performed. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned finishing device will be described as being included in the printing unit 248. The FAX communication unit 249 performs FAX communication with an external device equipped with a FAX function.

[0034] Fig. 2(e) is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the online support server 105. The online support server 105 is made up of a display unit 256, an operation unit 257, a memory unit 254, a control unit 251, and a network communication unit 255. The explanation of the display unit 256, the operation unit 257, the memory unit 254, the control unit 251, and the network communication unit 255 is omitted here because they are the same as those of the client terminal 101. The online support server 105 will be explained as being made up of one communication device having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2(e), but the online support server 105 may be made up of multiple communication devices.

[0035] Next, the software configuration of the client terminal 101 will be described.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the client terminal 101 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the client terminal 101 includes, as software, a document generation application 301, an OS (Operating System) 302, and a print setting extension application 307. The processing of these pieces of software is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 101 executing programs stored in the storage unit 214 or the like.

[0037] The document generation application 301 is an application that has functions for creating, editing, displaying, etc. documents, and is, for example, a word processing application or a spreadsheet application.

[0038] The OS 302 is, for example, Windows 11 (registered trademark) by Microsoft (registered trademark). The OS 302 includes a local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software), a cloud printer driver 304, a print spooler 305, and a toast manager 306.

[0039] The local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software) is, for example, an IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) Class Driver. The IPP Class Driver is a printer driver that executes printing processing in accordance with the specifications of a standard printing protocol called IPP. The local printer driver 303 is not a printer driver specific to the model of the image processing device, but a standard driver that can be applied to various image processing devices regardless of the manufacturer or model. Note that, because the local printer driver 303 only has standard functions, unlike a model-specific printer driver, only the functions supported by the local printer driver 303 can be used out of the multiple functions of the image processing device.

[0040] The cloud printer driver 304 (general-purpose software) is, for example, a UP Class Driver. The UP Class Driver is a printer driver used in Universal Print, a form of cloud printing in which printing is performed via the cloud print server 102. The cloud printer driver 304 is also not a printer driver specific to the model of the image processing device, but a standard driver that can be applied to various image processing devices regardless of the manufacturer or model. Note that, because the cloud printer driver 304 also has only standard functions, unlike a model-specific printer driver, only the functions supported by the cloud printer driver 304 can be used out of the multiple functions of the image processing device.

[0041] The local printer driver 303 or cloud printer driver 304 converts the document generated by the document generation application 301 into intermediate image data (described later) in accordance with instructions received from the user. The local printer driver 303 or cloud printer driver 304 also passes this intermediate image data to a print spooler 305.

[0042] The print spooler 305 generates fax transmission data based on intermediate image data received from the local printer driver 303 or cloud printer driver 304. The print spooler 305 transmits this fax transmission data to the connected image processing device via the cloud print server 102 or directly. The toast management unit 306 acquires information indicating the success or failure of execution of a job corresponding to an instruction received by the OS 302, and displays a toast including the execution result of the job on the display unit 216 based on the acquired information.

[0043] The print setting extension application 307 is an application for extending the functions of the local printer driver 303 and the cloud printer driver 304. The print setting extension application 307 includes a print setting UI (User Interface) unit 308. The print setting UI unit 308 displays, on the display unit 216, a print setting UI 309 for making print settings and a fax setting UI 310 for making fax settings.

[0044] Next, a process for transmitting a document generated by the document generation application 301 by FAX in the printing system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0045] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the steps of a fax transmission control process executed by the printing system of Fig. 1. The fax transmission control process of Fig. 4 is performed by, for example, the client terminal 101, the cloud print server 102, and the printer 104. The process by the client terminal 101 is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 101 expanding a program stored in the storage unit 214 into the memory 213 and executing the expanded program. The process by the cloud print server 102 is realized by the CPU 222 of the cloud print server 102 expanding a program stored in the storage unit 224 into the memory 223 and executing the expanded program. The process by the printer 104 is realized by the CPU 242 of the printer 104 expanding a program stored in the storage unit 244 into the memory 243 and executing the expanded program.

[0046] 4, first, the user selects a fax queue for faxing a document generated by the document generation application 301 using the destination printer 104 (S401). Note that information about the destination printer 104, such as the IP address and hardware ID of the printer 104, is pre-registered in the memory 213 of the client terminal 101. For example, when the client terminal 101 is connected to the network, the IP address and hardware ID of the printer 104 are acquired and registered in the memory 213.

[0047] Next, the OS 302 requests capability information of the connected printer 104 from the cloud print service 121 via the print spooler 305 (S402). Upon receiving this request, the cloud print service 121 responds with capability information to the print spooler 305 (S403). This capability information includes, for example, information on standard functions of the printer 104. This capability information includes, for example, information on fax-related functions of the printer 104, excluding extended functions unique to the printer 104 manufacturer (vendor). This capability information also includes a fax-compatible flag, which indicates either "TRUE" indicating that the printer 104 has a fax function or "FALSE" indicating that the printer 104 does not have a fax function. If the printer 104 is not a device that supports the fax-compatible flag, the capability information does not include the fax-compatible flag. The print spooler 305 passes the received capability information to the OS 302.

[0048] Next, the OS 302 adds the capability information transmitted from the cloud print service 121 to the device capability information including information on the functions of the OS 302 (S404). As a result, the device capability information includes information on the standard functions of the printer 104 in addition to information on the functions of the OS 302.

[0049] Next, the OS 302 notifies the print setting expansion application 307 of an edit event of the device capability information via the print spooler 305 (S405).

[0050] Upon receiving this notification, the print setting expansion application 307 requests capability information of the printer 104 from the cloud print service 121 (S406). In S406, capability information of a different type from the capability information requested by the OS 302 in S402 is requested. Upon receiving this request, the cloud print service 121 requests capability information from the printer 104 using the IPP protocol (S407).

[0051] The printer 104 responds with the requested capability information to the cloud print service 121 (S408). This capability information is information about functions that the printer 104 has but that have not been notified in S403, such as information about extended functions unique to the manufacturer of the printer 104 among the fax-related functions that the printer 104 has.

[0052] Next, the cloud print service 121 returns the capability information acquired from the printer 104 to the print setting extension application 307 (S409). Next, upon acquiring the capability information from the cloud print service 121, the print setting extension application 307 edits a configuration information object (not shown) (S410). A configuration information object is a collection of data groups required to edit device capability information. The print setting extension application 307 cannot directly edit the device capability information held by the OS 312. For this reason, in this embodiment, the device capability information held by the OS 312 is changed using the configuration information object.

[0053] Next, the print setting extension application 307 saves the capability information in response to the request of S402 and the capability information in response to the request of S406 in a data holding area of the print setting extension application 307 as its own device capability information (S411). Note that if the printer 104 is a device that supports a FAX-compatible flag, this device capability information includes a FAX-compatible flag. Next, the print setting extension application 307 passes the edited configuration information object to the OS 302 (S412).

[0054] When the OS 302 receives the configuration information object from the print setting extension application 307, it merges its own device capability information with the device capability information added to the configuration information object to generate new device capability information (S413). Once the new device capability information is generated, the OS 302 enables the print queue, which enables the print setting UI unit 308 of the print setting extension application 307 to start.

[0055] When the print setting extension application 307 receives a setting UI activation event from the OS 302 (S414), it performs a setting UI display control process (S415) as shown in FIG. 6 (described later). In S415, for example, a FAX setting UI 310 (shown in FIG. 7B ) with FAX extension functions is displayed on the display unit 216. The FAX setting UI 310 allows for standard FAX function settings, such as paper size, image quality, and paper orientation, as well as for printer 104 manufacturer-specific extended functions, such as broadcast transmission settings and cover sheet settings. When the user configures FAX settings using the FAX setting UI 310, the print setting extension application 307 writes the settings configured in the FAX setting UI 310 to a Print Ticket. The Print Ticket is a file that indicates print setting information written in XML format. The screen on the display unit 216 then switches from the FAX setting UI 310 to a print setting screen provided by the document generation application 301.

[0056] Next, the print setting extension application 307 sends a UI end notification indicating that the settings of the FAX setting UI 310 have been completed, and the Print Ticket to the print spooler 305 (S416). The print spooler 305 saves the received UI end notification and Print Ticket.

[0057] Next, the user issues a print execution instruction for the document via the document generation application 401 (S417). In accordance with this print execution instruction, the cloud printer driver 304 converts the document acquired from the document generation application 401 into intermediate image data (S418). The intermediate image data is data generated before conversion into print data such as PDL data, and is, for example, XPS (XML Paper Specification) data. Next, the cloud printer driver 304 saves this intermediate image data in the print spooler 305 (S419).

[0058] The print spooler 305, which has received the intermediate image data, notifies the print setting expansion application 307 of a PDL conversion event (S420). The PDL conversion event refers to the process of converting the intermediate image data into PDL data that can be processed by the printer 104. At this time, the print setting expansion application 307 receives the intermediate image data and the Print Ticket that was saved in S416 from the print spooler 305 along with the PDL conversion event notification. The print setting expansion application 307 saves the received intermediate image data as "original intermediate image data" in the data storage area of the print setting expansion application 307 together with the received Print Ticket (S421).

[0059] Next, the print setting expansion application 307 requests the print spooler 305 to generate IPP setting information (S422) using the API of the OS 302. The IPP setting information is print setting information defined by a combination of IPP attributes and IPP attribute values.

[0060] The print spooler 305 generates IPP setting information in accordance with this request (S423). In S423, the print spooler 305 generates the IPP setting information based on the Print Ticket saved in S416. Next, the print spooler 305 transmits the IPP setting information to the cloud print service 121 (S424).

[0061] The cloud print service 121 transmits the received IPP setting information to the printer 104 (S425).

[0062] Upon receiving the IPP setting information, the printer 104 notifies the print setting extension application 307, via the cloud print service 121 and the print spooler 305, that the IPP setting information has been received (S426).

[0063] Next, the print setting expansion application 307 performs a PDL type determination process (S427) shown in Fig. 9, which will be described later. In S427, a PDL type to be converted to in the PDL conversion process in S429, which will be described later, is selected based on the print setting expansion application 307's own device capability information stored in the data storage area of the print setting expansion application 307. For example, if the FAX compatible flag included in this device capability information indicates "TRUE," either PWG-Raster or TIFF is selected as the PDL type to be converted to in the PDL conversion process in S429, which will be described later.

[0064] Next, the print setting extension application 307 passes the original intermediate image data stored in the data storage area of the print setting extension application 307 and the PDL type information indicating the type selected in S427 to the print spooler 305. If a fax extension function is set in the fax setting UI 310, the print setting extension application 307 processes the original intermediate image data according to the extension function. For example, if a setting to add a cover sheet is set in the fax setting UI 310, the print setting extension application 307 processes the original intermediate image data to add cover sheet data. A cover sheet is the first or last page of a fax on which the sender's name or other information is written to identify the sender. For example, the fax setting UI 310 displays a UI for accepting the sender's name and controls the received name to be included in the cover sheet data. In addition to the sender's name, the print setting extension application 307 may also display a UI for accepting information such as a message addressed to the recipient in the fax setting UI 310 and include the accepted message in the cover sheet data. The print setting expansion application 307 may also acquire user information, such as the user name and user ID of the user logged in to the client terminal 101, from the memory 213 and include the acquired user information in the cover sheet data. The print setting expansion application 307 passes the processed intermediate image data together with PDL type information to the print spooler 305. The print setting expansion application 307 also makes a PDL conversion request and a FAX transmission request to the print spooler 305 (S428). This FAX transmission request includes one or more specified destinations and a command for transmitting transmission data to the one or more specified destinations.

[0065] When the print spooler 305 receives a FAX transmission request, it begins processing for transmission. The print spooler 305 performs a PDL conversion process to convert the acquired original intermediate image data (or processed intermediate image data) into a PDL type indicated by the acquired PDL type information (S429). Next, the print spooler 305 generates FAX transmission data based on the data obtained by this PDL conversion process (S430). The FAX transmission data is data that the printer 104 uses to transmit to one or more destination devices set using the IPP protocol. This FAX transmission data includes data for the one or more destinations set and the generated cover sheet.

[0066] The print spooler 305 transmits the generated fax transmission data to the cloud print service 121 via the fax queue (S431).

[0067] The cloud print service 121 transmits the fax transmission data acquired from the print spooler 305 to the printer 104 (S432). The printer 104 transmits the received fax transmission data by fax to one or more destinations set by the user.

[0068] Next, the printer 104 notifies the toast management unit 306 of the OS 302 via the cloud print service 121 of the FAX transmission status indicating whether the FAX transmission process was successful (S433).

[0069] The toast management unit 306 displays a toast indicating the success or failure of the FAX transmission process based on the FAX transmission status on the display unit 216 (S434). Next, when the toast management unit 306 receives a user click operation on the toast, it notifies the print setting extension application 307 of a notification screen display event (S435).

[0070] The print setting extension application 307, which has received the notification screen display event, requests detailed information on the execution result of the FAX transmission process from the printer 104 via the cloud print service 121 (S436).

[0071] Upon receiving this request, the printer 104 notifies the print setting extension application 307 via the cloud print service 121 of detailed information about the execution result of the FAX transmission process (S437).

[0072] 5 on the display unit 216 based on the received detailed information (S438). In addition to information indicating the success or failure of the fax transmission process, the fax transmission result details screen 501 displays detailed information such as the receipt number, destination, destination fax number, start time of the fax transmission process, communication time of the fax transmission process, and number of pages transmitted by fax. The fax transmission control process then ends.

[0073] 4, the fax transmission control process has been described as an example of a case where a fax is transmitted by cloud printing, but the same process is also performed when a fax is transmitted by local printing. When a fax is transmitted by local printing, the client terminal 101 communicates directly with the printer 104 without going through the cloud print service 121.

[0074] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting UI display control process of S415 in Fig. 4. The setting UI display control process in Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 101 expanding a program stored in the storage unit 214 into the memory 213 and executing the expanded program.

[0075] In FIG. 6, the print setting expansion application 307 determines whether or not the FAX compatible flag is included in its own device capability information saved in S411 (S601).

[0076] If it is determined in S601 that the device capability information includes a FAX compatible flag, the print setting expansion application 307 determines whether the FAX compatible flag is "TRUE" or "FALSE" (S602).

[0077] If it is determined in S602 that the FAX-compatible flag is "TRUE," that is, if the printer 104 has a FAX function, the setting UI display control process proceeds to S603. In S603, the print setting extension application 307 displays the FAX setting UI 310 on the display unit 216 based on the device capability information. Here, the FAX setting UI will be described.

[0078] Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a FAX setting UI 701 displayed by the standard driver of the OS 302 in Fig. 3. The FAX setting UI 701 allows users to set settings such as paper size, image quality, paper orientation, and the recipient's FAX number.

[0079] 7(b) and 7(c) are diagrams illustrating an example of the FAX setting UI 310 displayed by the print setting extension application 307 of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, in step S603, the FAX setting UI 310 is displayed on the display unit 216 instead of the FAX setting UI 701 described above. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the FAX setting UI 310 includes setting items for broadcast transmission and cover sheet setting in addition to the setting items such as paper size, image quality, and paper orientation described above. Broadcast transmission is a transmission method in which multiple destinations are set and the same image data is sent to all the set destinations with a single transmission instruction from the user. Selecting tab 702 also displays the screen shown in FIG. 7(c), allowing the user to select one or more destination FAX numbers from a destination list pre-registered in the memory 213. When a transmission instruction is given with multiple destinations selected on the screen shown in FIG. 7(c), broadcast transmission of the transmission data to all the destinations is performed. Functions (broadcast transmission, cover sheet, destination list) corresponding to setting items not included in the FAX setting UI 701 displayed by the standard driver of OS 302 are functions not supported by the standard driver of OS 302. Furthermore, these functions are included in the device capability information saved in S411, that is, are part of the FAX functions of printer 104. In this way, in this embodiment, FAX capability information can be acquired from printer 104, and function settings based on the acquired capability information can be accepted. After S603 is completed, the setting UI display control process ends.

[0080] If it is determined in S601 that the device capability information does not include a FAX-compatible flag, that is, if the printer 104 is a device that does not support the FAX-compatible flag, the setting UI display control process proceeds to S604. Also, if it is determined in S602 that the FAX-compatible flag is "FALSE," that is, if the printer 104 does not have a FAX function, the setting UI display control process also proceeds to S604.

[0081] In S604, the print setting extension application 307 displays a setting UI that does not include setting items for the extended FAX function on the display unit 216. Specifically, the print setting extension application 307 displays the print setting UI 309 of FIG. 8A on the display unit 216. The print setting UI 309 includes multiple setting items related to print settings. In the print setting UI 309, the user can operate the scroll bar 801 to set other setting items that were not displayed. Note that in S604, the print setting UI 309 may display a message indicating that the connected printer 104 does not have a FAX function. After S604 is completed, the setting UI display control process ends.

[0082] In this embodiment, the FAX setting UI 310 displayed in S603 may be configured to be switchable to the print setting UI 309 by a tab operation by the user.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in step S604, a setting UI that does not include setting items for the extended FAX function may be displayed, which is configured with the same setting items as the FAX setting UI 701. This prevents the user from accidentally setting an unavailable extended FAX function when the connected printer 104 does not have a FAX function.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the FAX setting UI may be controlled based on whether or not the device capability information includes information on the FAX extension function. For example, if the device capability information includes information on the FAX extension function, a FAX setting UI including setting items for this extension function, such as FAX setting UI 310, is displayed on display unit 216. On the other hand, if the device capability information does not include information on the FAX extension function, a FAX setting UI not including setting items for the FAX extension function, such as FAX setting UI 701, is displayed on display unit 216. By controlling in this manner, FAX settings can be made according to the image processing apparatus to which the device is connected.

[0085] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the PDL type determination process of S427 in Fig. 4. The PDL type determination process in Fig. 9 is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 101 loading a program stored in the storage unit 214 into the memory 213 and executing the loaded program.

[0086] In FIG. 9, first, the print setting expansion application 307 determines whether or not the FAX compatible flag is included in its own device capability information saved in S411 (S901).

[0087] If it is determined in S901 that the device capability information includes a FAX compatible flag, the print setting expansion application 307 determines whether the FAX compatible flag is "TRUE" or "FALSE" (S902).

[0088] If it is determined in S902 that the FAX flag is "TRUE," that is, if the printer 104 has a FAX function, the PDL type determination process proceeds to S903. In S903, the print setting expansion application 307 determines whether TIFF is supported in the FAX function based on the device capability information.

[0089] If it is determined in S903 that TIFF is supported in the FAX function, the print setting expansion application 307 selects TIFF as the type of PDL to be converted to in S429 (S904), after which the PDL type determination process ends.

[0090] If it is determined in S903 that TIFF is not supported in the FAX function, the print setting expansion application 307 selects PWG-Raster as the PDL type of the conversion destination in S429 (S905), after which the PDL type determination process ends.

[0091] If it is determined in S901 that the device capability information does not include a FAX-compatible flag, that is, if the printer 104 is a device that does not support the FAX-compatible flag, the PDL type determination process proceeds to S906. Also, if it is determined in S902 that the FAX-compatible flag is "FALSE," that is, if the printer 104 does not have a FAX function, the PDL type determination process also proceeds to S906. In S906, the print setting expansion application 307 selects a printing PDL (e.g., PDF) as the type of PDL to be converted to in S429. Thereafter, the PDL type determination process ends.

[0092] According to the above-described embodiment, the client terminal 101 acquires the fax capability information of the printer 104 connected to the client terminal 101 and accepts function settings based on this capability information. This allows fax settings to be made according to the connected image processing device.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that printer 104 has a fax function based on the fax-compatible flag, fax setting UI 310 is displayed, including setting items for extended functions based on the acquired capability information. This allows the user to set the extended fax functions of printer 104 when connected to printer 104 that has a fax function, thereby making the most of the extended fax functions of printer 104.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the extended FAX function is a broadcast transmission function, so that if the connected printer 104 has a FAX broadcast transmission function, the user can use the FAX broadcast transmission function.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, one of the extended functions of the FAX is the function of adding a cover sheet. This makes it possible to send FAX transmission data with a cover sheet added if the connected printer 104 has the function of adding a cover sheet.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, one of the extended functions of the FAX is a destination list function, which allows the user to easily set destinations for FAX transmission when the connected printer 104 has the destination list function.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined based on the FAX compatibility flag that printer 104 does not have a FAX function, a setting UI that does not include setting items for the FAX extension function is displayed on display unit 216. This prevents the user from mistakenly setting an unavailable FAX extension function when connected printer 104 does not have a FAX function.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined based on the FAX compatibility flag that the printer 104 does not have a FAX function, the print setting UI 309 is displayed on the display unit 216. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the user from making erroneous FAX settings when the connected printer 104 does not have a FAX function.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the FAX transmission result details screen 501 is displayed on the display unit 216. This allows the user to easily know whether the FAX transmission process was successful or not.

[0100] Next, a printing system including an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0101] The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment in terms of configuration and operation, but differs from the first embodiment in that it displays a FAX transmission result details screen 501 in accordance with instructions received from the user. Therefore, a description of the overlapping configuration and operation will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the different configuration and operation.

[0102] In the printing system of the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the client terminal 1001 as an information processing device included in this printing system is the same as that of the above-described client terminal 101. However, the software configuration is different from that of the above-described client terminal 101. Therefore, the software configuration of the client terminal 1001 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0103] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic software configuration of a client terminal 1001 as an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the client terminal 1001 includes, as software, the document generation application 301, the OS 302, the print setting extension application 307, and a fax transmission management application 1002. The processing of these pieces of software is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 1001 executing programs stored in the storage unit 214 or the like.

[0104] The FAX transmission management application 1002 acquires detailed information on the execution results of the FAX transmission process sent from the printer 104 in accordance with instructions from the user, and displays the FAX transmission result details screen 501 on the display unit 216 based on the acquired detailed information.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the steps of a FAX transmission control process executed by a printing system in the second embodiment. The FAX transmission control process in FIG. 11 is similar to the FAX transmission control process in FIG. 4 described above, and the following will particularly describe the differences from the FAX transmission control process in FIG. 4 described above. In the FAX transmission control process in FIG. 11, the process by the client terminal 1001 is realized by the CPU 212 of the client terminal 1001 loading a program stored in the storage unit 214 into the memory 213 and executing the loaded program. The process by the cloud print server 102 is realized by the CPU 222 of the cloud print server 102 loading a program stored in the storage unit 224 into the memory 223 and executing the loaded program. The process by the printer 104 is realized by the CPU 242 of the printer 104 loading a program stored in the storage unit 244 into the memory 243 and executing the loaded program.

[0106] In FIG. 11, steps S1101 to S1127 are performed, which are the same processes as steps S401 to S427 described above.

[0107] Next, the print setting expansion application 307 starts up the FAX transmission management application 1002 (S1128). Next, steps S1129 to S1133, which are the same processes as steps S428 to S432 described above, are performed.

[0108] Next, in accordance with the user's instruction to display detailed information, the FAX transmission management application 1002 requests detailed information about the execution result of the FAX transmission process from the printer 104 via the print spooler 305 and the cloud print service 121 (S1134). In this embodiment, for example, the user can issue an instruction to display detailed information by selecting a status display button (not shown) displayed on the display unit 216.

[0109] Upon receiving this request, the printer 104 notifies the FAX transmission management application 1002 of detailed information about the execution result of the FAX transmission process via the cloud print service 121 and the print spooler 305 (S1135).

[0110] The FAX transmission management application 1002 displays the FAX transmission result details screen 501 on the display unit 216 based on the received detailed information (S1136), after which the FAX transmission control process ends.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the FAX transmission management application 1002, in accordance with a user instruction, displays the FAX transmission result details screen 501 on the display unit 216. This allows the user to check the FAX transmission result details screen 501 at any time, not just when the FAX transmission process is completed.

[0112] In the present embodiment, the fax transmission management application 1002 may be configured to request detailed information about the execution result of the fax transmission process from the printer 104 via the cloud print service 121, without going through the print spooler 305, and acquire the detailed information. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the cloud printer driver 304 converts the data into intermediate image data and transmits the fax transmission data to the printer via the cloud print service 121. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processes of S418 and S419 in the first embodiment may be executed by the local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software). In this case, the fax transmission data of S432 may be transmitted to the printer 104 without going through the cloud print server 102. Furthermore, the processes of S1118 and S1119 in the second embodiment may be executed by the local printer driver 303 (general-purpose software), and the fax transmission data of S432 may be transmitted to the printer 104 without going through the cloud print service 121.

[0113] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0114] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) An extension application program that extends the functions of general-purpose software pre-installed in an operating system, characterized in that the program causes an information processing device equipped with the operating system to execute the following steps: acquire fax capability information of an image processing device connected to the information processing device; accept function settings based on the fax capability information; cause the general-purpose software to generate image data based on the settings; and cause the image processing device to execute fax transmission processing of the image data. (Configuration 2) The program described in Configuration 1 further causes the information processing device to execute a step of receiving a predetermined flag transmitted from the image processing device, the predetermined flag indicating whether the image processing device has a fax function, and in the receiving step, if it is determined based on the predetermined flag that the image processing device has a fax function, a setting UI including setting items for an extended function based on the fax capability information is displayed for performing fax settings. (Configuration 3) The program according to configuration 2, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a broadcast transmission function. (Configuration 4) The program according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a function of adding a cover sheet. (Configuration 5) The program according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a destination list function. (Configuration 6) A program described in any one of configurations 2 to 5, characterized in that in the receiving process, if it is determined based on the specified flag that the image processing device does not have a fax function, a setting UI that does not include setting items for extended functions based on the fax capability information is displayed. (Configuration 7) The program according to configuration 6, wherein the setting UI that does not include setting items for the extended functions based on the FAX capability information is a setting UI for making print settings. (Configuration 8) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the information processing device further executes a step of displaying a notification screen regarding the success or failure of the fax transmission process when the fax transmission process by the image processing device is completed. (Configuration 9) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, further comprising causing the information processing device to execute a step of launching a predetermined application that controls the display of a notification screen regarding the success or failure of the FAX transmission process by the image processing device, wherein the predetermined application controls the display of the notification screen in accordance with instructions from a user. (Configuration 10) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the information processing device further executes a step of controlling the configuration of a setting UI for performing FAX settings based on whether or not the FAX capability information includes information on FAX extension functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 101 client terminals 104 Printer 212 CPU 215 Network Communications Department 216 Display section 303 Local Printer Driver 304 Cloud Printer Driver 307 Print Setting Extension Application 308 Print settings UI section 309 Print settings UI 310 Fax settings UI 501 FAX transmission result details screen 1001 client terminals 1002 Fax sending management application

Claims

1. An extension application program that extends the functions of general-purpose software pre-installed in the operating system, An information processing device having the operating system, acquiring FAX capability information of an image processing device connected to the information processing device; receiving function settings based on the capability information of the FAX; and causing the general-purpose software to generate image data based on the settings, and causing the image processing device to execute a process of transmitting the image data by fax.

2. The information processing device includes: receiving a predetermined flag transmitted from the image processing device, the predetermined flag indicating whether the image processing device has a FAX function; The program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the receiving process, if it is determined that the image processing device has a fax function based on the specified flag, a setting UI for performing fax settings is displayed, the setting UI including setting items for extended functions based on the fax capability information.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a broadcast transmission function.

4. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a function for adding a cover sheet.

5. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the extended function of the FAX is a destination list function.

6. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that in the receiving process, if it is determined based on the specified flag that the image processing device does not have a fax function, a setting UI is displayed that does not include setting items for extended functions based on the fax capability information.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the setting UI that does not include setting items for the extended functions based on the FAX capability information is a setting UI for making print settings.

8. The information processing device includes:

2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a notification screen regarding success or failure of the fax transmission process when the fax transmission process by the image processing device is completed.

9. The information processing device includes: further executing a step of activating a predetermined application that controls displaying a notification screen regarding the success or failure of the FAX transmission process by the image processing device; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined application controls display of the notification screen in accordance with an instruction from a user.

10. The information processing device includes:

2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a step of controlling the configuration of a setting UI for performing fax settings based on whether or not the fax capability information includes information on fax extension functions.

11. An information processing device comprising an operating system and an extension application that extends functions of general-purpose software pre-installed in the operating system, means for acquiring FAX capability information of an image processing device connected to the information processing device; means for receiving function settings based on the capability information of the FAX; an information processing apparatus comprising: means for causing the general-purpose software to generate image data based on the settings, and for causing the image processing apparatus to execute a FAX transmission process for the image data;

12. 1. A method for controlling an information processing device having an operating system and an extension application that extends functions of general-purpose software pre-installed in the operating system, comprising: acquiring FAX capability information of an image processing device connected to the information processing device; receiving function settings based on the capability information of the FAX; a step of causing the general-purpose software to generate image data based on the setting, and causing the image processing device to execute a facsimile transmission process of the image data.

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