Information processing device, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device which, on the basis of sheet information acquired from a printing device, enables a user to customize the sheet information.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: first acquisition means for acquiring sheet information supported by a printing device from the printing device; second acquisition means for acquiring printing function information for allowing a user to designate a function of the printing device; and editing means for editing the printing function information acquired by the second acquisition means on the basis of customizable sheet information included in the sheet information acquired by the first acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known configuration uses a printer driver installed on a host computer as software for controlling the printing device to issue print instructions to a printing device connected to the host computer. An operating system (OS), which is the basic software, is installed on the host computer, and the printer driver is configured according to the specifications defined by the OS and runs when called by the OS. By providing a printer driver that conforms to the OS specifications, a vendor that provides a printing device can provide a configuration in which the OS is used to issue print instructions to the printing device.

[0003] In recent years, Windows® has provided standard class drivers (hereinafter also referred to as "standard drivers") that can be used across printing devices provided by multiple vendors. Such standard drivers are included in the OS package and can be easily used by connecting any printing device to a host computer. This eliminates the need to separately install a model-specific printer driver suited to the printing device, providing great convenience. Furthermore, standard drivers are configured to allow printing functions to be specified according to PrintCapabilities generated based on information obtained from the connected printing device. This allows users of standard drivers to specify printing functions that correspond to the capabilities of the connected printing device, even when using a single standard driver.

[0004] A standard driver can be associated with an application for function extension (hereinafter also referred to as an "extension application"). The extension application can be provided by the vendor that supplies the printing device. By providing the extension application, the vendor can provide functions (extension functions) that cannot be achieved with the standard driver alone. Patent Document 1 describes that an auxiliary program excludes paper sizes that are unlikely to be used based on environmental information from the main body capability value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-126364 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention that the user can arbitrarily set the paper size.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, method, and program that allows a user to customize sheet information based on sheet information acquired from a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a first acquisition means for acquiring sheet information supported by the printing device from the printing device, a second acquisition means for acquiring printing function information that enables a user to specify functions of the printing device, and an editing means for editing the printing function information acquired by the second acquisition means based on customizable sheet information included in the sheet information acquired by the first acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible for a user to customize sheet information based on sheet information acquired from a printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the printing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a PDC. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for editing a PDC. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print setting screen provided by a print setting screen extension unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user-defined paper setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user-defined paper setting screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing print settings (PT). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing management data that stores values ​​of user-defined paper sizes. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing management data that stores values ​​of user-defined paper sizes. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user-defined paper setting screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing management data that stores values ​​of user-defined paper sizes. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user-defined paper setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing setting values ​​of paper size. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a warning screen. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a print function expansion unit. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a FormDB. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a print setting screen expansion unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system. In Fig. 1, a host computer 101 is an example of an information processing device, and includes 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. 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. A NETIF 120 is a network interface that controls data transfer between the host computer 101 and external devices via a network.

[0013] An initialization program is stored in the ROM 112. Application programs, an operating system (OS), print data generation software, and various other data are stored in the external storage device 114. The RAM 113 is used as a work memory when the various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed, and enables the various programs to run within the host computer 101.

[0014] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 executes the processes described below in accordance with the program procedures stored in the ROM 112, thereby executing the functions of the host computer 101 and the processes described in the flowcharts. The printing device 102, which is a device, is connected to the host computer 101 via an input / output interface 116. Here, the host computer 101 and the printing device 102 are configured separately, but they may also be configured as a single information processing device. Note that the printing device 102 is described as an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto paper, but printing may be performed using other methods (e.g., electrophotography). The host computer 101 may also be a desktop PC, a smartphone, or a laptop computer. When the host computer 101 and the printing device 102 are connected via a network, the network may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a network that includes both. The network may also include devices other than the host computer 101 and the printing device 102, such as a router that operates as an access point.

[0015] 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a software-based printing system. Here, the description is based on the premise that the printing system uses a host computer 101 with Microsoft® Windows® 11 installed as its operating system. FIG. 2(a) shows a typical configuration in which an extension application 210 is not associated with print data generation software 202 and the printing device 102.

[0016] The drawing application 201 is software that creates content (drawing data) to be printed. For example, it corresponds to a word processing application or a spreadsheet application. When the drawing application 201 receives a print request from a user, it issues a print instruction to the OS. The print instruction includes print setting information for instructing the operation of the print data generation software 202 and the printing device 102. The print setting information is also called a PrintTicket (hereinafter, "PT").

[0017] To output print setting information, the drawing application 201 can display a print setting screen provided by the print data generation software 202, the OS, or the drawing application 201. The print setting screen includes setting items (hereinafter also referred to as "control items") indicating configurable print functions and control items indicating their setting values ​​according to capability information (information that can be set as print settings) acquired from the print data generation software 202. The capability information is also referred to as PrintCapabilities (hereinafter "PC"). The print data generation software 202 determines the PC based on print function information 203. The print function information 203 is data indicating all configurable print functions, their setting values, and the exclusive relationships between the setting values. The print function information 203 is also referred to as PDC (Print Device Capabilities). The print function information 203 is included in a configuration file of the print data generation software 202 and stored in the external storage device 114 as an unmodifiable file. Alternatively, the print data generation software 202 can dynamically generate the print function information 203. Specifically, the print data generation software 202 or the OS can be configured to acquire printing device attribute data from the printing device 102 and generate printing capability information 203 according to the attribute information in the acquired attribute data. The attribute information is, for example, paper information (sheet information) supported by the printing device 102. Note that if the printing capability information 203 is generated dynamically, the generated printing capability information 203 can be edited. The printing device attribute data acquired from the printing device 102 is a response acquired by issuing a Get-Printer-Attributes operation of the Internet Print Protocol (IPP) to the printing device 102. The response includes attribute information indicating functions (printing device capabilities) that can be specified on the printing device 102 and setting values ​​related to that attribute information. This response is saved in RAM 113.

[0018] This configuration allows the print data generation software 202 to be configured so that the user can specify print functions available on each connected printing device 102. That is, even when printing devices with different functions or printing devices developed by different vendors are connected, the print data generation software 202 can be configured so that the user can specify print functions available on the connected printing device. Here, as an example of the print data generation software 202, a configuration using the IPP Class Driver installed in Windows® 11 will be described. The IPP Class Driver is a printer driver that executes print processing in accordance with the specifications of a standard printing protocol called IPP (Internet Print Protocol) and is included in the OS package. The IPP Class Driver is not a printer driver specific to the model of the printing device 102, but a standard class driver that can be used by multiple printing devices. Furthermore, the IPP Class Driver acquires capability information from the connected printing device 102 and generates print capability information 203 based on that information so that the user can specify print functions supported by the connected printing device 102.

[0019] The OS generates intermediate data (also referred to as input data) based on the print instruction output from the drawing application 201 and passes it to the print data generation software 202. The data output by the drawing application 201 for printing is data in Graphic Device Interface format (GDI format data) or XML Paper Specification format (XPS format data). Assume that an IPP Class Driver is used as the print data generation software 202. In this case, if the data output by the drawing application 201 is data in GDI format, the OS converts the GDI format data output from the drawing application 201 into data in XPS format. The converted XPS format data is then passed to the print data generation software 202 as intermediate data. If the data output by the drawing application 201 is data in XPS format, the OS passes the XPS format data to the print data generation software 202 as intermediate data. The intermediate data includes drawing data, which is information about an image to be formed on paper, which is a recording medium, and print setting information set by the user. In this embodiment, "paper" is used as an example of a recording medium.

[0020] The print data generation software 202 converts the acquired intermediate data into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device 102 and sends it to the printing device 102. The print data includes drawing data, which is information about the picture to be formed on paper, and print setting attribute information (attribute information that specifies print settings) generated based on print setting information set by the user. The print setting attribute information includes attribute information that indicates functions that can be specified by the printing device 102 (the capabilities of the printing device) and setting values ​​related to that attribute information. The print data generation software 202 has a function to convert at least a portion of the print setting information set by the user into attribute information defined by IPP and use this as the print setting attribute information.

[0021] The printing device 102 prints on paper based on the print data sent from the print data generation software 202. At this time, the printing device 102 forms the drawing data included in the print data on paper in accordance with the print setting attribute information included in the print data. The print setting attribute information includes attribute information and its setting values ​​for specifying print quality (priority on image quality, priority on speed, etc.) and double-sided printing. For example, if the print setting attribute information includes attribute information specifying double-sided printing, the printing device 102 executes double-sided printing.

[0022] 2(b) is a diagram showing a configuration in which the extension application 204 is associated with the print data generation software 202 and the printing device 102. Note that configurations and processes not specifically mentioned below are the same as those in FIG. 2(a).

[0023] The extension application 210 is software for extending the functions of the print data generation software 202, and is not included (bundled) in advance with the OS. Therefore, the user operates the host computer 101 to download and install the extension application 210 from a server via the Internet. Alternatively, the extension application 210 may be automatically installed when the printing device 102 is connected to the host computer 101. Specifically, when the printing device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS acquires device identification information from the printing device 102. The OS may download and install the extension application 210 corresponding to the acquired device identification information from a server via the Internet. In other words, the print data generation software 202 and the extension application 210 are stored in the host computer 101 as separate files.

[0024] The print data generation software 202 and the extension application 210 may be updated and upgraded, but these update processes are also performed at different times. That is, the timing at which the host computer 101 acquires the print data generation software 202 is different from the timing at which the extension application 210 is acquired. Furthermore, the trigger at which the host computer 101 acquires the print data generation software 202 is different from the trigger at which the extension application 210 is acquired. When the extension application 210 is installed, the OS associates the extension application 210 with the print data generation software 202 and the printing device 102.

[0025] The extension application 210 in this embodiment includes a print setting screen extension unit 211, a skip control unit 214, a print function extension unit 213, a print data editing unit 214, and a notification unit 215. The extension application 210 also includes shared information 216 that can be commonly accessed by each unit. The shared information 216 is, for example, a file saved in the external storage device 114 or information stored in the RAM 113. The extension application 210 writes and reads information to and from the shared information 216 by using an API (Application Program Interface) provided by the OS.

[0026] The extended application 210 may terminate its operation each time the processing of each unit is completed. In this case, the OS will launch the extended application 210 each time a request to use each unit is received. Another configuration is also possible. For example, the OS may terminate the operation of the extended application 210 when the processing of the print setting screen extension unit 211 is completed, but the OS may keep the extended application 210 running even after the processing of the skip control unit 214 is completed. Furthermore, the extended application 210 may cancel processing during the processing of each unit. If the processing is canceled, the job being processed in the print queue is deleted by the OS.

[0027] When the drawing application 201 receives a print request from a user, it issues a print instruction to the OS. In this configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 2(a), the drawing application 204 can display a print setting screen. In this configuration, the print setting screen provided by the extension application 210 is displayed. Specifically, the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211 included in the extension application 210 is displayed. Whether or not the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211 is displayed may depend on the user's operation.

[0028] Furthermore, when the drawing application 201 receives a print request from a user and issues a print instruction to the OS, the OS activates the skip control unit 214. The skip control unit 214 controls whether or not to skip the processing of the print data generation software 202. The skip control unit 214 does not acquire intermediate data or print setting information. After the skip control processing of the skip control unit 214, the OS generates intermediate data based on the print instruction output from the drawing application 201, and the intermediate data is passed to the print data generation software 202. Here, if the skip control is not performed by the skip control unit 214, the intermediate data is processed by the print data generation software 202 into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device 102, and passed to the print data editing unit 214. On the other hand, if the print data generation software 202 is skipped, the intermediate data is passed to the print data editing unit 214 without being processed by the print data generation software 202. This makes it possible for the print data editing unit 214 to process the intermediate data.

[0029] The print data editing unit 214 edits the intermediate data passed from the print data generation software 202 or the print data processed by the print data generation software 202. Taking "layout printing" as an example of the editing content, the print data editing unit 214 changes the layout of the intermediate data or print data based on the print setting information for "layout printing" received from the OS. The print data editing unit 214 can also display a UI screen on the display unit 119, and can display the layout results of the intermediate data or print data as a preview screen. Note that the print data editing unit 214 does not send print data to the printing device 102 while the screen is open; closing the screen starts the print data sending process.

[0030] After the print data editing unit 214 edits the print data, the print data is sent to the printing device 102 via the OS. The printing device 102 prints on paper based on the received print data. Note that if the skip control unit 214 skips the print data generation software 202, the print data editing unit 214 may convert the received intermediate data into print data that can be interpreted by the printing device 102. Alternatively, a function provided by the OS may be used to convert the intermediate data into print data.

[0031] The extension application 210 also includes a print function extension unit 213. The print function extension unit 213 can edit the print function information 203 (PDC) generated by the print data generation software 202 or the OS. This allows the print function extension unit 213 to add functions provided by the extension application 210, or add functions supported by the printing device 102 but not supported by the print data generation software 202, etc. The print function extension unit 213 can also add exclusive relationships between print function setting values, etc. The OS starts the print function extension unit 213 when the extension application 210 is first associated with the printing device 102 and the print data generation software 202. The OS may also start the print function extension unit 213 at other times, such as when the OS is started. In this way, in cases where an optional device is later added to the printing device 102 and printing-related functions are expanded, the print function extension unit 213 can detect the expanded function and add it to the print function information 203. The optional devices include, for example, a two-stage roll unit and a finisher.

[0032] The extension application 210 also has a notification unit 215. The notification unit 215 can display a notification to the user when an error occurs in the printing device 102. For example, when an out-of-paper error occurs in the printing device 102, the print data software 202 detects it, and the OS uses a notification function called a toast notification, which is an OS function, to display a message on the display unit 119. When the user presses this toast notification, the OS calls the notification unit 215 of the extension application 210, and the UI screen of the notification unit 215 is displayed. The UI screen of the notification unit 215 can display, for example, a detailed message about the out-of-paper error and instructions on how to refill paper.

[0033] Once the extension application 210 has sent print data to the printing device 102, it is no longer possible to display on the screen a guide or other information associated with the print data while each unit is processing the data.

[0034] The configuration of the extended application 210 for realizing this embodiment is not limited to having all of the above-mentioned functions (units), but may have only some of the functions or other functions. Also, the extended application 210 may simply be called printing software. As described above, the extended application 210 can be said to have at least one of the following: A function to display the setting screen, or a display control function to control the display of the setting screen (print setting screen expansion unit 211) A function for controlling whether or not to skip the processing of the print data generation software 202 (skip control unit 214) A function for editing print data to be sent to the printing device 102 (print data editing unit 214) A function to extend the functions that can be specified in the print data generation software 202 (print function extension unit 213) A function to display a screen when an error occurs in the printing device 102 (notification unit 215) 3 is a diagram showing an example of a PDC generated by the print data generation software 202 by acquiring supported print function information from the printing device 102. PDC 301 includes information on functions (Features) supported by the printing device 102 and information on setting values ​​(Options) for certain functions. Furthermore, PDC 301 in FIG. 3 shows a PDC that has been edited by the processing in FIG. 4.

[0035] Information 302 indicates that the setting value (Option) for A4 size (ISOA4) is supported as the paper size (PageMediaSize). Information 302 also indicates that the paper size has a width (MediaSizeWidth) of 210,000 micrometers and a height (MediaSizeHeight) of 297,000 micrometers.

[0036] Information 303 indicates a vendor-specific customizable size called UserDefinition1. Information 303 also indicates that the width (MediaSizeWidth) and height (MediaSizeHeight) are optional parameters. In FIG. 3, these are shown as PageMediaSizeMediaSizeWidth1 and PageMediaSizeMediaSizeHeight1. The optional parameters PageMediaSizeMediaSizeWidth1 and PageMediaSizeMediaSizeHeight1 have maximum, minimum, and initial values ​​defined in information 304. The maximum value is represented by MaxValue, the minimum value is represented by MinValue, and the initial value is represented by DefaultValue. These parameters are ultimately settable as print settings (PrintTicket: PT). By specifying the paper size width and height as a PT, these parameters can be used as an optional paper size defined by the user (user-defined paper size).

[0037] Similarly, UserDefinition2 and UserDefinition3 are each associated with different arbitrary parameters. As a result, a total of three user-defined paper sizes can be used: UserDefinition1, UserDefinition2, and UserDefinition3. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which three user-defined paper sizes can be used, but any other number may be used.

[0038] In this manner, in this embodiment, the print function extension unit 213 edits the PDC to add descriptions of user-defined paper sizes. At this time, the height and width of each user-defined paper size are defined as a custom size, and for each custom size, the maximum, minimum, and initial values ​​supported by the printing device 102 are defined. The PDC edited in this manner allows the user to customize paper within the range of values ​​supported by the printing device 102.

[0039] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the print function extension unit 213 when editing the print function information 203 (PDC 203) when the extension application 210 is first associated with the printing device 102 and the print data generation software 202. The processing in FIG. 4 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0040] In S401, the print function extension unit 213 acquires paper size information from the printing device 102. Next, in S402, if the paper size information acquired from the printing device 102 is not present in the PDC 203, the print function extension unit 213 edits the PDC 203 by adding that information. Thereafter, in S403, the print function extension unit 213 adds N pieces of custom size information to the PDC. In this embodiment, an example is described in which three pieces of custom size information are added. The user can define and use the added custom size information as any paper size. When the drawing application 201 receives an instruction to display a print setting screen through a user operation, a print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211 of the extension application 210 is displayed. Note that in S403, the print function extension unit 213 also adds information corresponding to 304 in FIG. 3 to the PDC.

[0041] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211 when the drawing application 201 instructs the display of the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211. The print setting screen 501 has a paper size 502 combo box and a user-defined paper setting button 503 that displays a screen for editing user-defined paper sizes. FIG. 5(b) shows the state when the paper size 502 combo box is selected, and each paper size setting value 504 is user-selectable. Each paper size setting value 504 displays the paper size defined in the PDC (PDC 301) edited by the process of FIG. 4. Therefore, the three custom sizes (UserDefinition 1 to 3) added in S403 are displayed as UserDefinition 1, UserDefinition 2, and UserDefinition 3.

[0042] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a user-defined paper setting screen that is displayed when the user-defined paper setting button 503 on the print setting screen 501 is pressed. The user-defined paper setting screen 601 displays a list of the names and lengths of currently registered custom sizes in a paper list 602, and the user can select a user-defined paper size to change the size of. The paper list 602 shows that User-defined 1 is selected. The user-defined paper setting screen 601 also has a display unit 603, which allows the unit of the size displayed in the paper list 602 and the size displayed in the paper size setting 604 to be changed to millimeters or inches. The user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 602 is displayed in the paper size setting 604, and the user can change the value.

[0043] FIG. 6(b) is an example of the display when the size of User-defined 1 has been changed to 500 mm in width and 600 mm in height. The user selects the user-defined paper size to which they wish to change the size from the paper list 602. Then, the user enters the desired width and height in the paper size 604 and presses the register button 605. This changes the width and height of User-defined 1, as shown in FIG. 6(b). At this time, the parameters associated with the width and height of User-defined 1 in the print settings (PT) are updated, and the management data saved as initial values ​​at startup is updated.

[0044] Fig. 7 is an example of the display when the display unit 603 in Fig. 6(b) is changed to inches. When the display unit 603 is changed to inches, the paper list 602 and paper size 604 are displayed in inches. Note that when the user-defined paper setting screen 601 is closed by pressing the OK button 606, the display unit 603 is retained, and the same display unit is displayed the next time the user-defined paper setting screen 601 is opened. When the user-defined paper setting screen 601 is closed by pressing the cancel button 607, the display unit may not be retained.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of print settings (PT) when UserDefinition 1 is set for paper size 502 in the user-defined paper size setting of FIG. 6(b). In PT 701, UserDefinition 1 (UserDefinition1) is set as the paper size (PageMediaSize) as information 702. As information 703, the width (PageMediaSizeMediaSizeWidth1) is set to 500,000 micrometers and the height (PageMediaSizeMediaSizeHeight1) is set to 600,000 micrometers. In addition, the width and height of UserDefinition 2 are set as information 704, and the width and height of UserDefinition 3 are set as information 705. The print settings (PT) in FIG. 8 are temporary data used when printing, and therefore will be erased when the drawing application 201 that has the print settings open is closed. For this reason, the set user-defined paper size is saved and retained as non-volatile data so that the same user-defined paper size can be used the next time the print settings are started.

[0046] 9 shows an example of management data that stores the user-defined paper size values ​​for the next print setting startup, including the Option name, width, and height corresponding to each user-defined paper size. This management data is stored as non-volatile data in the shared information 216.

[0047] When the drawing application 201 receives an instruction to display a print setting screen through a user operation, the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211 of the extension application 210 is displayed.

[0048] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying a print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 211. The process in FIG. 10 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program.

[0049] In S901, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 acquires print settings (PT) from the OS. Next, in S902, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 determines whether or not there is management data for user-defined paper sizes in the shared information 216. If it is determined that there is management data for user-defined paper sizes, the process proceeds to S903. If it is determined that there is no management data for user-defined paper sizes, the process proceeds to S904. For example, at the time of initial startup, it is determined that there is no management data for user-defined paper sizes.

[0050] In S904, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 acquires the default values ​​defined in the information 304 of the PDC 301, and creates management data for user-defined paper sizes in the shared information 216 based on the default values. Meanwhile, in S903, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 acquires each user-defined paper size from the management data. The default values ​​are the values ​​defined in 304 in FIG. 3.

[0051] In S905, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 reflects the width and height of the user-defined paper size acquired in S903 or S904 in the print settings (PT). In S906, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 registers each user-defined paper size as an item in the paper 502 combo box of the print setting screen 501, and displays the print setting screen. Note that when registering user-defined paper sizes as paper size options, they may be registered with unique names. For example, in this embodiment, they are registered as User Defined 1, User Defined 2, and User Defined 3, as shown in the paper size options 504.

[0052] 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the user-defined paper setting button 503 is pressed on the print setting screen 501. The processing of FIG. 11 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program.

[0053] When the user-defined paper settings button 503 is pressed, in S1001 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the user-defined paper settings screen 601. In S1002, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays a list of the name, width, and height of each user-defined paper size acquired in S903 or S904. The names displayed here are the same as when they were registered in the paper size options 504. In S1003, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 selects the user-defined paper size at the top of the settings list 602, and displays the width and height of the selected user-defined paper size in the paper size settings 604.

[0054] 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the registration button 605 is pressed on the user-defined paper setting screen 601. The processing of FIG. 12 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program.

[0055] When the register button 605 is pressed on the user-defined paper setting screen 601, in S1101 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 updates the management data of the user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 602 with the width and height entered in the paper size setting 604. In S1102, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 updates the print settings (PT) of the user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 602 with the width and height entered in the paper size setting 604. In S1103, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 updates the width and height of the user-defined paper size selected in the paper size list 602 with the width and height entered in the paper size setting 604.

[0056] As described above, in the printing system of this embodiment, the extended application allows the user to register multiple paper sizes of their choice, and the user can set any registered paper size and print.

[0057] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which user-defined paper sizes can be displayed (registered), hidden (deleted), and displayed with an arbitrary name.

[0058] 13 is a flowchart showing the processing executed in this embodiment when the print setting screen is displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit 211. The processing in FIG. 13 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0059] S1301 to S1303 and S1305 are the same as the explanations for S901 to S903 and S905 in FIG. 10, and therefore the explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0060] If it is determined in S1302 that there is no management data, in S1304 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 creates management data with each user-defined paper size acquired from the PDC 301 as unregistered.

[0061] An example of the management data created in S1304 is shown in Fig. 14. Unlike Fig. 9, in this embodiment, the management data also manages the display name and whether or not it has been registered. When creating management data for unregistered items, the "Registered" item is managed as "FALSE," indicating unregistered, as shown in Fig. 14. This allows registered user-defined paper sizes to be managed in a distinguishable manner from unregistered user-defined paper sizes.

[0062] In S1306, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 registers only registered user-defined paper sizes as data in the paper size combo box. In other words, user-defined paper sizes that are managed as unregistered are not registered as data in the paper size combo box. As a result, if the user has not registered a user-defined paper size, the user-defined paper size is not displayed in each setting value 504 of the paper size.

[0063] Fig. 15(a) is a diagram showing an example of a user-defined paper setting screen that is displayed when the user-defined paper setting button 503 on the print setting screen 501 is pressed. The user-defined paper setting screen 1401 in this embodiment includes a paper list 1402 that displays registered user-defined paper sizes. Fig. 15(a) shows an example when no user-defined paper sizes have been registered, and nothing is displayed in the paper list 1402.

[0064] The user-defined paper size name field 1403 is an input field for registering a user-defined paper size with an input name. The paper size 1404 allows input of the width and height of the user-defined paper size to be registered, and displays the support range acquired from the printing device 102. When the user presses the register button 1406, the user-defined paper size is registered with the name input in the user-defined paper size name field 1403 and the width and height input in the paper size 1404.

[0065] 15(b) shows the user-defined paper setting screen after the user has pressed the register button 1406 with "200x300" entered in the user-defined paper size name field 1403, "200.0" entered for the width, and "300.0" entered for the height in the paper size field 1404. The registered user-defined paper size is displayed in the paper list 1402. At that time, the set name and paper size are displayed.

[0066] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of management data after registration using the registration button 1406. As shown in Fig. 16, for the Option of UserDefinition1, the "Registered" item is set to "TRUE," and the name, width, and height entered on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 are saved. If the user registers a second user-defined paper size, it is registered as an Option of UserDefinition2.

[0067] The Delete button 1405 can delete a user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 1402. On the user-defined paper setting screen in FIG. 15(b), the user selects the user-defined paper size "200x300" in the paper list 1402 and presses the Delete button 1405. This changes the "Registered" item in the management data from "TRUE" to "FALSE," indicating that it is not registered. As a result, it will no longer be displayed in the paper list 1402.

[0068] In this way, by displaying only registered user-defined paper sizes, the user can easily recognize the user-defined paper sizes that he or she has registered.

[0069] FIG. 15 shows an example in which only registered user-defined paper sizes are displayed in the paper list display on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. However, as shown in the paper list 1601 of FIG. 17(a), a "Register" column may be provided to display all user-defined paper size areas in the management data. FIG. 17(a) shows a state in which all user-defined paper sizes in the management data are unregistered, with no mark in the Register column. FIG. 17(b) shows an example in which the first user-defined paper size has been registered with an arbitrary name and size. Therefore, in the paper list 1601, a mark is placed in the registration column for the first user-defined paper size, and the name and size at the time of registration are displayed.

[0070] 18 is a diagram showing the paper size setting values ​​on the print setting screen 501 after the user-defined paper size "200x300" has been registered. The paper size setting value 1701 displays only the user-defined paper size "200x300" that has been registered as a user-defined paper size, and does not display other unregistered user-defined paper sizes.

[0071] 19(a) and 19(b) are flowcharts showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the user-defined paper setting button 503 is pressed on the print setting screen 501 of this embodiment. Fig. 19(a) is a flowchart showing the display processing of the user-defined paper setting screen of Fig. 15. The processing of Fig. 19(a) is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0072] When the user-defined paper settings button 503 is pressed, in S1801 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays only the registered user-defined paper sizes in the paper list 1402 from the information acquired in S1303 or S1304. In S1802, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the supported range of width and height in the paper size 1404 from the supported paper sizes acquired from the printing device 102. The minimum and maximum values ​​of width and height are displayed as the supported range. These minimum and maximum values ​​of width and height can be displayed by referencing the information 304 in FIG. 3.

[0073] Fig. 19(b) is a flowchart showing the display processing of the user-defined paper setting screen of Fig. 17. The processing of Fig. 19(b) is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0074] In S1811, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays all user-defined paper sizes in the settings list 1601. In S1812, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays a registered mark for the registered user-defined paper sizes on the settings list 1601 from the information acquired in S1303 or S1304. In S1813, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the supported range of width and height in the paper size 1404 from the supported paper sizes acquired from the printing device 102. The minimum and maximum values ​​of width and height are displayed as the supported range.

[0075] 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the registration button 1406 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is pressed. The processing of FIG. 20 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program.

[0076] In S1901, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 references the management data and determines whether there is unregistered data. If it is determined that there is no unregistered data, in S1902, the warning screen of FIG. 21(a) is displayed. The warning screen of FIG. 21(a) warns that the number of user-defined paper sizes that can be registered has already been reached. When the user presses the OK button in FIG. 21(a), the print setting screen expansion unit 211 ends the processing of FIG. 20 and returns to displaying the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is unregistered data, the process proceeds to S1903.

[0077] In S1903, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 determines whether the user-defined paper size name field 1403 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is blank. If it is determined that the user-defined paper size name field 1403 is blank, in S1904 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the warning screen of FIG. 21(b). The warning screen of FIG. 21(b) warns that a name, which is information necessary for managing management data, has not been entered. When the user presses the OK button in FIG. 21(b), the print setting screen expansion unit 211 ends the processing of FIG. 20 and returns to displaying the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user-defined paper size name field 1403 is not blank, the process proceeds to S1905.

[0078] In S1905, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 determines whether the width and height entered in the paper size 1404 of the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 are within the range of supported sizes of the printing device 102 acquired in S1802. If it is determined that the width and height are not within the range of supported sizes, i.e., are outside the range, in S1906, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the warning screen of FIG. 21(c). The warning screen of FIG. 21(c) is displayed. The warning screen of FIG. 21(c) warns that the values ​​are outside the range supported by the printing device 102. When the user presses the OK button in FIG. 21(c), the print setting screen expansion unit 211 ends the processing of FIG. 20 and returns to displaying the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. On the other hand, if it is determined that the values ​​are within the supported range, the process proceeds to S1907.

[0079] In S1907, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 updates the management data. Specifically, for example, when the management data in FIG. 14 is updated, the unregistered Option at the top of the management data is set to "TRUE" indicating that it has been registered, as shown in FIG. 16. Then, the name entered in the user-defined paper size name field 1403 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is used as the display name, and the width and height of the paper size 1404 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 are saved as the width and height of the management data. Note that if the units of the width and height of the paper size 1404 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 differ from those of the width and height in the management data, the units are converted and saved.

[0080] In S1908, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 updates the custom size parameters of the print settings (PT) corresponding to the Option of the registered user-defined paper size with the width and height of the paper size 1404 entered on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. As an example in this embodiment, since the Option of UserDefinition1 is updated, PageMediaSizeMediaSizeWidth1 and PageMediaSizeMediaSizeHeight1 are updated. Note that if the units of the width and height of the paper size 1404 entered on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 differ from those of the custom size parameters of the print settings (PT), the units are converted and set.

[0081] In S1909, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays the registered user-defined paper sizes in the paper list 1402 of the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 by their registered names and sizes. Note that this processing describes a case in which the paper list on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 displays only registered user-defined paper sizes, as in the paper list 1402. However, it is also possible to display all user-defined paper sizes, as in the paper list 1601, and update the display of user-defined paper sizes that have a check mark in the registration column.

[0082] 22 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the user presses the delete button 1405 while selecting the user-defined paper size to be deleted in the paper list 1402 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. The processing of FIG. 22 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0083] When the Delete button 1405 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is pressed, in S2101 the print setting screen expansion unit 211 changes the management data of the Option corresponding to the user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 1402 or the paper list 1601 to "unregistered." Specifically, for example, if the Delete button 1405 is pressed while the user-defined paper size "200x300" in Fig. 15(b) is selected, the "Registered" item of UserDefinition1 in Fig. 16 is changed from "TRUE" to "FALSE," indicating unregistered.

[0084] In S2102, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 hides the user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 1402 from the paper list 1402. Note that this processing describes a case in which the paper list on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 displays only registered user-defined paper sizes, as in the paper list 1402. However, it is also possible to display all user-defined paper sizes, as in the paper list 1601, and update the display of user-defined paper sizes marked in the registration column.

[0085] 23 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed when the user presses the OK button 606 or the Cancel button 607 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. The processing of FIG. 23 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0086] When the OK button 606 or the cancel button 607 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is pressed, in S2201, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 closes the user-defined paper setting screen 1401. In S2202, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 displays only registered user-defined paper sizes in the paper size options 1701.

[0087] As described above, according to this embodiment, the display of paper sizes can be controlled by the extended application based on the registration and deletion of paper sizes by the user. As a result, user-defined paper sizes registered by the user can be displayed in an identifiable manner, further improving usability.

[0088] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a paper size database (FormDB) provided by the OS (Windows) is used as management data for user-defined paper sizes.

[0089] 24 is a flowchart showing the processing executed when the print function extension unit 213 edits the print function information 203 when the extension application 210 is first associated with the printing device 102 and the print data generation software 202. The processing in FIG. 24 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0090] S2301 to S2303 are the same as those in S401 to S403 in FIG. 4, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0091] In S2304, the print function extension unit 213 acquires, from the FormDB, information on custom sizes within the range of supported paper sizes acquired in S2301.

[0092] 25 is a diagram showing an example of FormDB. FormDB also manages top, bottom, left, and right margins, and a size whose width and height are within the range supported by the printing device 102 and has the same supported margins is determined to be a custom size (i.e., user-defined paper size) that meets the conditions. Note that FormDB may also register standard sizes supported by the printing device 102 acquired in S2301, so sizes that are the same as standard sizes may be excluded from the determination of custom sizes that meet the conditions.

[0093] For example, assume that the connected printing device 102 in this embodiment supports paper sizes with a margin of 50 mm, widths of 100 to 610 mm, and heights of 200 to 4000 mm. In this case, in the FormDB of FIG. 25, Size1 to Size5 are determined to meet the conditions. Size6 is outside the supported margin range, so it is not determined to meet the conditions. Size7 is also not determined to meet the conditions because its width is outside the supported range. Size8 is also not determined to meet the conditions because its height is outside the supported range. Size9 is the same as a standard size provided by the printing device 102, so it is not determined to meet the conditions.

[0094] In S2305, the print function extension unit 213 determines whether the number of custom sizes determined to satisfy the conditions in the FormDB is greater than the number of custom sizes added in S2303. If it is determined that the number is greater, in S2306, the print function extension unit 213 adds custom size information to the PDC 301 so that the number of supported sizes is the same as the number of supported sizes in the FormDB. Specifically, for example, if three custom sizes are added in S2303, the print setting screen extension unit 211 finds that five custom sizes are applicable in the FormDB shown in FIG. 25. Therefore, areas for the remaining two custom sizes are added to the PDC 301. The FormDB is a variable area that can be used in common by any driver. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of custom sizes added to the PDC 203 is adjusted to match the number of custom sizes that satisfy the conditions in the FormDB.

[0095] 26 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 in this embodiment when the print setting screen is displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit 211. The processing of FIG. 26 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0096] S2501 is the same as the explanation for S901 in FIG. 10, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0097] In S2502, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 acquires information on the user-defined paper size from FormDB. Here, which custom size is determined as the user-defined paper size on FormDB is as described above.

[0098] In S2503, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 registers the width and height of each user-defined size acquired in S2501 in the print settings (PT). In S2504, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 registers the name of the user-defined paper size acquired from FormDB as data in the paper size combo box.

[0099] 27 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print setting screen expansion unit 211 that is executed in this embodiment when the delete button 1405 is pressed while a user-defined paper size to be deleted is selected in the paper list 1402. The processing of FIG. 27 is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0100] When the delete button 1405 on the user-defined paper setting screen 1401 is pressed, the print setting screen expansion unit 211 deletes the data in FormDB that corresponds to the user-defined paper size selected in the paper list 1402 or the paper list 1601 in S2601.

[0101] As described above, according to this embodiment, the extended application allows the user to register multiple paper sizes using FormDB, and the user can set any registered paper size and print. Furthermore, by using FormDB, the same user-defined paper size can be used in a shared environment using the same OS.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program. (Item 1) a first acquisition means for acquiring sheet information supported by a printing device from the printing device; a second acquisition means for acquiring print function information for enabling a user to specify functions of the printing device; an editing unit that edits the printing function information acquired by the second acquiring unit based on customizable sheet information included in the sheet information acquired by the first acquiring unit; An information processing device comprising: (Item 2) 2. The information processing apparatus according to item 1, wherein the editing performed by the editing means is the addition of the customizable sheet information to the printing function information. (Item 3) 3. The information processing apparatus according to item 1 or 2, further comprising a display control unit that displays a print setting screen on a display unit based on the print function information edited by the editing unit. (Item 4) 4. The information processing apparatus according to item 3, wherein the customizable sheet information is displayed on the print setting screen so as to be selectable by the user. (Item 5) 5. The information processing device according to item 3 or 4, further comprising a storage means for storing the customizable sheet information. (Item 6) 6. The information processing apparatus according to item 5, wherein the storage means further stores identification information for identifying the customizable sheet information set by the user on the print setting screen. (Item 7) 7. The information processing device according to item 6, wherein the display control means causes the display unit to display the customizable sheet information set by the user. (Item 8) 8. The information processing device according to item 7, wherein the display control means causes the display unit to display the customizable sheet information that has not been set by the user. (Item 9) The information processing device described in item 8 is characterized in that the display control means displays on the display unit the customizable sheet information for which the user has set and the customizable sheet information for which the user has not set in a distinguishable manner. (Item 10) 8. The information processing device according to item 7, wherein the display control means does not cause the display unit to display the customizable sheet information that has not been set by the user. (Item 11) 11. The information processing device according to any one of items 6 to 10, wherein the settings made by the user include settings of at least one of a name and a size. (Item 12) 12. The information processing device according to any one of items 5 to 11, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the customizable sheet information from the storage unit when an instruction to delete the customizable sheet information is received on the print setting screen. (Item 13) 12. The information processing device according to any one of items 5 to 11, further comprising an update unit that, when receiving an instruction to delete the customizable sheet information on the print setting screen, updates the customizable sheet information stored in the storage unit and corresponding to the deletion instruction. (Item 14) 14. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 5 to 13, wherein the storage means stores the customizable sheet information as non-volatile data. (Item 15) 14. The information processing device according to any one of items 5 to 13, wherein the storage means is a database of an operating system. (Item 16) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 15, characterized in that the customizable sheet information included in the sheet information acquired by the first acquisition means includes at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value as a customizable size. (Item 17) 17. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the first acquisition means, the second acquisition means, and the editing means are included in an application program that expands the functionality of a printer driver. (Item 18) Item 18. The information processing device according to item 17, wherein the printer driver is a class driver. (Item 19) A method executed in an information processing device, a first acquisition step of acquiring, from a printing device, sheet information supported by the printing device; a second acquisition step of acquiring print function information for enabling a user to specify functions of the printing device; an editing step of editing the printing function information acquired in the second acquisition step based on customizable sheet information included in the sheet information acquired in the first acquisition step; A method comprising: (Item 20) 19. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 18.

[0104] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 101 Information processing device: 111 CPU: 112 ROM: 113 RAM

Claims

1. An application program that cooperates with an operating system (OS) having an IPP (Internet Print Protocol) class driver, In the computer of the information processing device, A process to acquire information on the maximum and minimum sheet sizes supported by the printing device. A receiving step of receiving a value from a user that falls within the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, An application program characterized by causing the execution of [a certain action].

2. A second acquisition step of acquiring print function information generated by the OS, which enables the user to specify the functions of the printing device, Editing steps to edit the print function information so that the information of the maximum value and the information of the minimum value are included in the print function information, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it further executes the following.

3. The application program according to claim 2, further characterized in that it performs a display control step of displaying a print settings screen on a display unit using capability information based on the print function information edited in the editing step.

4. The application program according to claim 3, characterized in that a button for editing a user-defined paper size is displayed on the print settings screen.

5. The application program according to claim 4, characterized in that, in the reception step, a value within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​is received from the user as the user-defined paper size via a sheet setting screen displayed in response to the selection of the button.

6. The application program according to claim 5, wherein the sheet setting screen displays an area where values ​​to be entered by the user can be received, and if the value received in the area is within the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, the receiving step receives that value as the user-defined paper size.

7. The application program according to claim 6, characterized in that if the value received in the region is not within the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, the display control step causes a warning screen to be displayed on the display unit.

8. The application program according to claim 5, wherein the sheet setting screen displays a list of user-defined paper sizes, and the user-defined paper sizes displayed in the list are displayed as items that can be selected by the user.

9. The application program according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving step receives from the user a value within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​for the user-defined paper size selected in the list of user-defined paper sizes.

10. The application program according to claim 5, characterized in that the sheet setting screen is configured to allow switching and display of the sheet size unit.

11. The application program according to claim 4, wherein the print settings screen displays a list of multiple paper sizes that can be selected by the user, and the list of multiple paper sizes includes the user-defined paper size.

12. The application program according to claim 3, characterized in that the capability information is PrintCapabilities.

13. When the print setting screen is displayed on the display unit in the display control step, print setting information is obtained from the OS, The application program according to claim 3, characterized in that the values ​​within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​received from the user in the reception process are reflected in the print setting information.

14. The application program according to claim 13, further characterized by performing a data editing step of editing data generated based on the print setting information and drawing data.

15. The application program according to claim 14, characterized in that the data editing in the data editing step is a change in layout.

16. The application program according to claim 14, wherein the data is intermediate data or print data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and the data edited in the data editing step is transmitted to the printing device.

17. The application program according to claim 16, characterized in that the edited data is transmitted to the printing device as printable data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and the printing device performs printing based on the printable data.

18. The application program according to claim 13, characterized in that the print setting information is a PrintTicket.

19. The application program according to claim 2, characterized in that the second acquisition step acquires the printing function information generated by the IPP class driver.

20. The application program according to claim 1, further characterized in that it performs a storage control step of storing a value within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​received from the user in the receiving step in a storage means.

21. The application program according to claim 20, wherein the memory control step further stores identification information in the storage means for identifying a value within the range of the maximum and minimum values ​​received from the user in the reception step.

22. The application program according to claim 2, characterized in that the printing function information is PrintDeviceCapabilities.

23. A method characterized by having each step of the application program described in any one of Claims 1 to 22.

24. An information processing device having an operating system (OS) having an IPP (Internet Print Protocol) class driver, An application program that cooperates with the aforementioned OS includes an acquisition means for acquiring information on the maximum and minimum sheet sizes supported by the printing device, The application program includes a receiving means for receiving a value from the user that falls within the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

Images