Support program

Abstract

To provide a technique for allowing a user to easily and intuitively perform print setting when causing a printer to print an image based on the print setting via an OS standard general-purpose print program.SOLUTION: The auxiliary program 42 corresponds to the printer 2 and supports the general-purpose print program 41 of the OS21 in PC1. The auxiliary program 42 displays, on the user's CPU11 in PC1, a layout image indicating a layout of a setting target corresponding to a setting value of a predetermined item among the print settings used for printing on the printer 2 on the IF13 in PC1. When an operation of directly operating the layout image using the cursor or the like and changing the layout of the setting target shown in the layout image is received via the user CPU11, the supporting program 42 further causes the user IF13 to change the displayed layout image and change the setting value of the predetermined item of the print setting based on the reception of the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a support program that supports control of a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been put into practical use that controls a printer using a standard general-purpose print program that is part of the operating system (OS) and does not use a printer driver provided by the printer vendor. With this technology, when the OS detects a printer, it associates it with the OS's standard general-purpose print program, and then when a print instruction for that printer is received, the OS's standard general-purpose print program generates print data, making it possible to print using the OS's standard general-purpose print program, without using a printer driver provided by the printer vendor.

[0003] An example of a document disclosing technology related to an OS-standard general-purpose print program is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a support program that supports the general-purpose print program, and when a print instruction is received, the support program displays a preview of an image according to the print settings corresponding to the print instruction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-114316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The preview display disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 does not accept operations on the preview image, so there is room for improvement in technology that allows users to intuitively set print settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A support program developed to solve the above-mentioned problems is executable by a computer of an information processing device, corresponds to a printer connected to the information processing device, and supports a general-purpose printing program possessed by the operating system of the information processing device. The support program is configured to cause the computer to execute a display process that displays, on a user interface of the information processing device, a layout image showing a layout of a setting target that corresponds to a setting value of a predetermined item among the print settings used for printing on the printer, and further cause the computer to execute an image change process that changes the layout image displayed in the display process in response to acceptance of a first operation that directly operates the layout image using a predetermined operator via the user interface of the information processing device, the first operation changing the layout of the setting target shown in the layout image, and a setting value change process that changes the setting value of the predetermined item of the print settings based on acceptance of the first operation.

[0007] The support program disclosed in this specification causes a computer of an information processing device to display, on a user interface, a layout image showing a layout to be set that corresponds to the setting values ​​of predetermined items of print settings, and to accept operations on the layout image. When a user directly operates the layout image, the support program causes the computer to change the layout image and, based on the acceptance of the operation, change the setting values ​​of the predetermined items. This allows the user to intuitively change the setting values ​​of the predetermined items while checking the layout image.

[0008] An information processing device incorporating the above support program, a computer-readable storage medium storing the support program, a control method for realizing the functions of the support program, and a printing system including the support program and a printer are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology that allows a user to easily and intuitively set print settings when causing a printer to print an image based on print settings via a general-purpose print program that is standard for the OS. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of a PC. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for printer selection and detailed setting. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general-purpose setting screen including a layout image for aggregate printing. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general-purpose setting screen including a header-footer layout image. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general-purpose setting screen including a layout image of a watermark. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general-purpose setting screen including a layout image for aggregate printing and an update button. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a detailed setting screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a printing execution procedure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general setting screen including a change button. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layout change screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "PC") that uses the support program of the first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This specification discloses a support program executed on a PC.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the PC 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC 1 is an example of an information processing device. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The PC 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in Fig. 1 is a collective term for hardware and software used to control the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the PC 1.

[0013] The CPU 11 of the PC 1 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. The memory 12 stores various programs and various data. The memory 12 is also used, for example, as a work area when executing various programs. A buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of the memory 12. Note that the example of the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the PC 1, but may also be a storage medium readable and writable by the CPU 11, such as a recording medium, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.

[0014] The user IF 13 includes a display 13a, which is hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware that accepts operations by the user. Note that the user IF 13 may include a combination of the display 13a capable of displaying information and a mouse, keyboard, or the like that has an input acceptance function, or may include a touch panel that has the functions of the display 13a and an input acceptance function.

[0015] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as the printer 2. The communication IF 14 is compatible with a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or USB. The PC 1 may be connectable to the Internet via the communication IF 14. The PC 1 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 14 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0016] 1, the memory 12 stores various programs and data, including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 including a general-purpose print program 41, an auxiliary program 42, and an editing application 43. The auxiliary program 42 is an example of a support program. The editing application 43 is an example of an application program.

[0017] OS21 is a multitasking OS that can process multiple tasks in parallel by managing and switching between them. Examples of OS21 include Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark).

[0018] The OS 21 includes a general-purpose printing program 41. The general-purpose printing program 41 is a standard OS program prepared by the OS 21 vendor and provided as part of the OS 21. In other words, the PC 1 is equipped with the OS 21 that includes the general-purpose printing program 41. The general-purpose printing program 41 is not configured to use printer drivers specific to each printer.

[0019] The generic printing program 41 is a program with the function of printing on multiple models of printers provided by multiple vendors based on user instructions. The generic printing program 41 supports generic functions that enable printing on many printers. Unlike printer drivers specific to each printer, the generic printing program 41 does not support functions specific to each printer or printer driver, especially functions that require complex processing.

[0020] The general-purpose printing program 41 is a program that includes a function to receive image data designated as the print target in a print instruction output from various application programs based on a user's instruction and generate intermediate data based on that image data. The intermediate data is, for example, XPS data. The general-purpose printing program 41 also has a function to generate print data in a format that can be used for printing on various printers based on the intermediate data. The print data is, for example, PWGRaster data or PDF data. The general-purpose printing program 41 also has a function to send the generated print data to the printer designated as the device to execute printing via a communication function provided by the OS 21.

[0021] The auxiliary program 42 is a program or group of programs that executes processing based on instructions from the OS 21 in conjunction with the processing of the general-purpose printing program 41, and is an application program that supports the control of the target hardware. The auxiliary program 42 of this embodiment corresponds to the model of the printer 2 connected to the PC 1, and is provided, for example, by the vendor of the printer 2. The general-purpose printing program 41 launches the auxiliary program 42 corresponding to the printer 2 when the printer 2 is selected as the device to execute printing, when an instruction for detailed print settings is received while the printer 2 is selected, when an instruction to execute printing on the printer 2 is received, etc. The auxiliary program 42 is, for example, called a print support app (abbreviated as PSA) or a hardware support app (abbreviated as HSA).

[0022] The auxiliary program 42 may be a combination of multiple programs that each accept an execution command, or a single program that can execute different processes depending on the command. The auxiliary program may also be a program prepared by a printer vendor for each printer type. For example, an auxiliary program for inkjet printers and an auxiliary program for laser printers may be prepared. A separate auxiliary program may be prepared not only for each printer type, but also for each printer model or series of printer models.

[0023] For example, when a new printer is connected to the PC 1, the OS 21 of the PC 1 can download an appropriate auxiliary program according to the type and model of the connected printer from a server of the printer vendor or storage designated by the OS 21, and install it in the PC 1. The OS 21 associates the identification information of the installed auxiliary program with the printer information of the newly connected printer and stores it in the memory 12.

[0024] The editing application 43 is, for example, a program for creating and editing image data and document data. The editing application 43 may be, for example, Microsoft Word (registered trademark) or PowerPoint (registered trademark), or may be a program provided by the vendor of the printer 2. The editing application 43 is capable of receiving, via the user IF 13, a print execution instruction for causing the printer 2 to execute printing. Note that the editing application 43 is not limited to a program for creating and editing data, and may also be a program having a function for receiving display instructions and print instructions for various types of information, such as map information and web pages, in response to a user request.

[0025] In this embodiment, the PC 1 is connected to the printer 2 via the communication IF 14 as shown in FIG. 1. The printer 2 is a device that has at least a printing function and a communication function. For example, when the printer 2 receives print data from the PC 1 or the like, it can execute printing based on the received print data. The printer 2 may be a device capable of color printing, or may be a device capable of only monochrome printing.

[0026] Next, the procedure for processing related to printing on the printer 2 in the PC 1 of this embodiment will be described. Note that in this embodiment, each process other than user operation basically indicates processing by the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program such as the auxiliary program 42. In this specification, various processes performed by the controller 10 or the CPU 11 in accordance with programs such as the auxiliary program 42, the general-purpose printing program 41, and the OS 21 may be described, for convenience, as if each program were independently performing various processes. Processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS 21. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without a detailed description of the OS 21. Also, the term "acquire" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request.

[0027] First, the selection and setting procedure for accepting the selection of the printer to be used for printing and the designation of print settings in the PC 1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0028] The editing application 43 can create and edit text and images based on user instructions. When the user wants to print the text or image being displayed, the user selects print in the editing application 43 (A01). The user can select print, for example, from a menu of operation items provided in the editing application 43. Because the general-purpose printing program 41 is incorporated into the OS 21 of the PC 1, when the editing application 43 accepts the selection of print, it requests the general-purpose printing program 41 of the OS 21 to display a screen for accepting instructions related to printing (A02).

[0029] For example, when a selection instruction to select printer 2 as the device to perform printing is received on the print setting screen, or when a print selection in A01 is received with printer 2 selected as the device to perform printing, the editing application 43 passes information indicating that printer 2 has been selected to the general-purpose printing program 41. Since printer 2 has been selected as the device to perform printing, the general-purpose printing program 41, in response to a request from the editing application 43, first requests display data to be displayed on the display target screen from the auxiliary program 42 corresponding to printer 2 (A03).

[0030] In response to a request from the general-purpose printing program 41, the auxiliary program 42 generates display data (A05) and passes it to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A06). The auxiliary program 42 may pass default display data prepared in advance, or may create display data based on default print settings. Alternatively, the auxiliary program 42 may request the general-purpose printing program 41 to acquire information on print settings and generate display data based on the acquired print settings.

[0031] The auxiliary program 42 may acquire the capability information of the printer 2 prior to generating the display data of A05. Specifically, the auxiliary program 42 may request the general-purpose printing program 41 to acquire the capability information. The general-purpose printing program 41 can send a command requesting the capability information to the printer 2, acquire the capability information from the printer 2, and pass the capability information acquired from the printer 2 to the auxiliary program 42. This allows the auxiliary program 42 to acquire the capability information of the printer 2. The auxiliary program 42 may store the acquired capability information in the memory 12 and use it in later processing.

[0032] In order to obtain capability information from the printer 2, the general-purpose printing program 41 communicates with the printer 2 via the OS 21, for example, by communication according to IPP (abbreviation for Internet Printing Protocol). Note that the auxiliary program 42 may obtain capability information directly from the printer 2, for example, by using MIB (abbreviation for Management Information Base), instead of making a request to the general-purpose printing program 41. Furthermore, the capability information that the auxiliary program 42 can obtain from the printer 2 may include more information than the capability information obtained via the OS 21.

[0033] The capability information acquired from the printer 2 includes information on setting items that can be set as print settings and parameters that can be set for each setting item. For example, the capability information may include information on items related to the paper feed trays and output trays available on the printer 2, such as information indicating selectable paper feed trays and output trays, and information on the paper size and paper type set for each paper feed tray. The capability information may also include information on whether the printer 2 has printing functions such as N-in-1 printing (multiple printing), header and footer printing, and watermark printing, and, if each function is available, more detailed capability information. Specifically, the capability information of the printer 2 may include information on the page layout that can be set for N-in-1 printing, information on the printable positions of headers and footers, and information on the type of image that can be printed as a watermark, as well as the print position and print angle.

[0034] 3, the general-purpose printing program 41 causes the user IF 13 to display a general-purpose setting screen 50 capable of accepting user instructions regarding print settings to be used for printing on the printer 2, the general-purpose setting screen 50 including an image based on the display data received from the auxiliary program 42 (A08). The general-purpose setting screen 50 is an example of a setting screen that accepts print settings.

[0035] 3 shows an example of a general setting screen 50 when a setting value indicating 4-in-1 printing is set as the setting value for the Nin1 item, which is a setting for aggregate printing. The general setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 includes, for example, printer information 51, an information display field 52, a setting information field 53, a detailed settings button 54, and a print button 55.

[0036] The printer information 51 is a field that displays information indicating the printer 2 selected as the device to perform printing. The printer information 51 may also be a field that can accept device selection. In this case, the selectable devices correspond to print queues managed by the OS 21.

[0037] The information display field 52 is a field that displays information output by the auxiliary program corresponding to the device displayed in the printer information 51. The setting information field 53 is a field that displays the currently set setting values ​​for some of the print setting items. In the example of FIG. 3, the information display field 52 includes a layout image 521 for the Nin1 items, and the setting information field 53 includes an Nin1 setting field 531 that displays the setting values ​​for the Nin1 items. The procedure of the auxiliary program 42 shown in A06 of FIG. 2 is a process that causes the general-purpose print program 41 to display a general-purpose setting screen 50 including the layout image 521 as shown in FIG. 3, and is an example of a display process.

[0038] The advanced settings button 54 is a button for receiving an instruction to display a screen for making detailed print settings. The print button 55 is a button for receiving an instruction to execute printing using the selected print settings.

[0039] Layout image 521 of general setting screen 50 shown in Fig. 3 shows the layout to be set when the setting value of the Nin1 item, which is the setting for aggregate printing, is "4in1 (1234) printing" as shown in Nin1 setting field 531 of setting information field 53. Specifically, layout image 521 shows a page arrangement layout in which four pages of images are printed on one sheet of paper, and the four pages are arranged in the order of top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right, from page 1 to page 4. The Nin1 item in the example of Fig. 3 is an example of a predetermined item, and Nin1 setting field 531 is an example of a predetermined setting field.

[0040] The auxiliary program 42 can accept settings for Nin1 printing other than 4in1 printing, and can also accept the setting of one page arrangement from among multiple types of page arrangements as the page arrangement, which is the arrangement order of N pages for Nin1 printing. The auxiliary program 42 may be able to freely select the number of pages of images to be arranged on one sheet of paper and the page arrangement, or may be able to select from a predetermined range of selectable options.

[0041] 3, the general-purpose setting screen 50 may further display information generated by the general-purpose printing program 41 or the editing application 43. For example, the general-purpose setting screen 50 may display an image currently selected by the editing application 43, i.e., a print preview image. The general-purpose setting screen 50 may also be displayed by the editing application 43.

[0042] The general-purpose printing program 41 can accept user operations on the currently displayed information display field 52 and setting information field 53. The user can directly operate the layout image 521 using, for example, a cursor 57. For example, the user can change the page arrangement by placing the cursor 57 on an image showing the second page of the layout image 521 and moving it downward and left by a drag-and-drop operation, thereby swapping the second and third pages. In this case, the cursor 57 is an example of a predetermined operator. The operation A11, such as a drag operation and a drop operation among the drag-and-drop operations performed by the user, is an example of a first operation. If the user IF 13 is a touch panel, the user can similarly change the page arrangement using a finger or a touch pen. In this case, the finger or the touch pen is an example of a predetermined operator.

[0043] When the general-purpose printing program 41 receives an operation from the user, it can notify the auxiliary program 42 of information indicating the operation. When the general-purpose printing program 41 receives, for example, an operation to change the layout of the layout image 521 in the information display field 52 by the user operation (opt:[layout operation], A11), it notifies the auxiliary program 42 of information indicating the operation (A12). As the information indicating the operation, the general-purpose printing program 41 notifies the auxiliary program 42 of, for example, operation position information indicating the position in the information display field 52 where the operation was received, and operation type information indicating the type of operation.

[0044] When the auxiliary program 42 receives operation information indicating a user operation from the general-purpose printing program 41, it changes the layout image 521 to be displayed in the information display field 52 in accordance with the user's operation (A13). For example, if a drag operation is performed while the cursor 57 is positioned on the image of page 2, the general-purpose printing program 41 passes operation position information indicating that the operation position is page 2 and operation type information indicating that it is a drag operation to the auxiliary program 42. From the operation position information and operation type information received from the general-purpose printing program 41, the auxiliary program 42 determines that it has received a drag operation to move page 2. In this case, the auxiliary program 42 changes the display mode of page 2 to a different mode from the other pages to indicate that page 2 has been selected, and further generates display data for the information display field 52 including a layout image in which the display position of page 2 has been slightly moved to indicate that page 2 is being moved.

[0045] Then, the auxiliary program 42 passes the display data generated in A13 as changed information to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A14). The general-purpose printing program 41 updates and displays the general-purpose setting screen 50 based on the received display data (A15). In other words, the steps A13 and A14 performed by the auxiliary program 42 are an example of image change processing that changes the layout image to be displayed.

[0046] After the general setting screen 50 is updated and displayed, the user can continue to perform operations to change the layout of the layout image 521 in the information display field 52. For example, as described above, the user can drag the second page, and while the correspondingly changed layout image is displayed, move it further to the position of the third page and then perform a drop operation (A11).

[0047] In this case, the general-purpose printing program 41 also notifies the auxiliary program 42 in A12 of operation position information indicating the position of page 3 and operation type information indicating a drop operation. The auxiliary program 42 determines in A13 that page 2 has been dragged and dropped onto the position of page 3, indicating that this is an operation to swap the layout of pages 2 and 3. The auxiliary program 42 then changes the page layout setting value to a setting value indicating a page layout in which the layouts of pages 2 and 3 have been swapped. In other words, A13 is also a process for changing the page layout setting value and is an example of a setting value change process. Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 generates display data for the information display field 52, which includes a layout image in which pages 2 and 3 have been swapped. The general-purpose setting screen 50 is then updated in A14 and A15, and the information display field 52, which includes a layout image in which the layouts of pages 2 and 3 have been swapped, is displayed.

[0048] In this way, the page arrangement of the layout image 521 can be changed by direct manipulation, allowing the user to intuitively change the page arrangement in aggregate printing. Note that the general-purpose printing program 41 may pass information about each operation to the auxiliary program 42 each time it receives an operation from the user, or may pass information about multiple operations together to the auxiliary program 42. For example, the general-purpose printing program 41 may separate a drag-and-drop operation into a drag operation and a drop operation as described above and pass them to the auxiliary program 42, or may pass the drag-and-drop operation together to the auxiliary program 42. However, if the drag-and-drop operations are passed together to the auxiliary program 42, the layout image will not be changed at the time of the drag operation.

[0049] Note that the operations on the layout image 521 may include operations that cannot be accepted by the auxiliary program 42. For example, the auxiliary program 42 may not accept an operation to move a page to an unplaceable position, such as outside the bounds of the paper. When an unacceptable operation is accepted, the auxiliary program 42 may ignore the operation and return to the state before the operation.

[0050] If the information received in A12 indicates an operation to change the print settings, the auxiliary program 42 also changes the setting value information displayed in the setting information column 53 in A13. Specifically, when the auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating that the operation to swap the second and third pages has been accepted, the auxiliary program 42 generates display data in which the setting value of the Nin1 setting column 531 related to the Nin1 item in the setting information column 53 has been changed to a setting value indicating "4in1 (1324) printing." 4in1 (1324) printing is a setting value indicating that pages 1 to 4 are arranged in the order of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.

[0051] In other words, when the user operates the layout image 521 showing Nin1 printing to change the setting value for the Nin1 item, the setting value in the Nin1 setting field 531 corresponding to that item is also changed accordingly, making it easy for the user to understand that the setting value of the corresponding item is changed by operating the layout image.

[0052] The general-purpose printing program 41 can also accept an operation to change the setting value displayed in the setting information field 53, and when an operation on the setting information field 53 is accepted, the general-purpose printing program 41 can notify the auxiliary program 42 of information indicating the operation. When the general-purpose printing program 41 accepts an operation to change the setting value in the setting information field 53 by a user operation (opt:[setting value operation], A21), it notifies the auxiliary program 42 of information indicating the operation (A22).

[0053] For example, when an operation on the Nin1 setting field 531 of the setting information field 53 is accepted, the auxiliary program 42 displays options of settable setting values ​​in the Nin1 setting field 531 and accepts the selection of one of the setting values. The operation of A21 when an operation to change the setting value displayed in the Nin1 setting field 531 is accepted is an example of a second operation.

[0054] In this case, the auxiliary program 42 also generates display data that has been changed in accordance with the received operation information (A23) and passes the generated display data to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A24). The general-purpose printing program 41 updates and displays the general-purpose setting screen 50 based on the received display data (A25). The steps A23 and A24 performed by the auxiliary program 42 are an example of a setting field change process that changes the setting value displayed in the setting information field 53.

[0055] For example, when the auxiliary program 42 receives an operation to change the setting value of the Nin1 setting field 531, the auxiliary program 42 changes the layout image 521 in the information display field 52 in accordance with the user's operation. When the user changes the setting value displayed in the Nin1 setting field 531, the layout image 521 is also changed in conjunction with the change to correspond to the changed setting value, making it easier for the user to understand the changed setting.

[0056] The layout image displayed in the information display field 52 of the general-purpose setting screen 50 is not limited to the layout of the page arrangement for Nin1 printing. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to pass display data including a layout image 522 relating to the header or footer settings to the general-purpose printing program 41 in A06 and accept operations on the layout image 522. The layout image 522 is an example of a layout image that indicates the printing position of the header or footer on one side of the paper.

[0057] When the auxiliary program 42 displays a layout image 522 relating to the settings of a header or footer in the information display field 52, it displays a setting information field 53 including a format setting field 533 and a position setting field 534 relating to the header or footer items. The format setting field 533 is a field for accepting the selection of information to be displayed as the header or footer, and the position setting field 534 is a field for accepting the selection of the print position of the header or footer within one surface of a sheet of paper.

[0058] 4, the auxiliary program 42 can also receive information indicating that it has accepted a user operation (A11) to change the layout of the layout image 522 from the general-purpose print program 41. The user can perform an operation to move the position of the displayed footer by, for example, dragging and dropping the cursor 57.

[0059] For example, when information indicating a drag operation on the footer is received from the general-purpose printing program 41 (A12), the auxiliary program 42 generates display data including a layout image in which the footer has been selected and slightly moved based on the received information (A13). Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 passes the generated display data to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A14). As a result, the general-purpose printing program 41 updates the display on the general-purpose setting screen 50 (A15).

[0060] Furthermore, upon receiving information indicating a drop operation from the general-purpose print program 41, the auxiliary program 42 changes the setting value of the footer position to the setting value of the position where the drop operation was performed.The auxiliary program 42 then generates display data including a layout image in which the footer position has been moved to the position where the drop operation was performed (A13).As a result, A14 and A15 display the general-purpose setting screen 50 including the layout image in which the footer position has been moved.

[0061] That is, the auxiliary program 42 displays a general-purpose setting screen 50 including a layout image 522 indicating the print position of the header or footer within one surface of a sheet of paper, and is capable of accepting user operations on the layout image 522. By being able to change the print position of the header or footer through direct operation, the user can intuitively change the position of the header or footer. Note that the position of the header or footer is not limited to movement within the header or footer range, and for example, the footer may be moved to the header position, or the header may be moved to the footer position. Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 may have information on multiple predetermined positions for the header or footer, and may be able to select only one of them, or may be able to change to any position.

[0062] In this case as well, in A13, the auxiliary program 42 changes the position of the header or footer of the layout image 522 and generates display data in which the setting value displayed in the position setting field 534 has been changed. In this example as well, the steps A13 and A14 by the auxiliary program 42 are an example of image change processing that changes the layout image to be displayed, and the processing of A13 that changes the setting value for the header or footer position is an example of setting value change processing.

[0063] Furthermore, when the auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating an operation of double-clicking the cursor 57 at the footer position in the layout image 522 from the general-purpose printing program 41 (A12), the auxiliary program 42 may be able to generate display data in which the footer format has been changed based on the received information (A13). The auxiliary program 42 may, for example, have information on a plurality of predetermined formats and change the format in order each time an operation is received. Alternatively, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to receive input of a character string based on a user operation.

[0064] 5, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to pass display data including a layout image 523 relating to watermark settings to the general-purpose printing program 41 in A06, and accept operations on the layout image 523. The layout image 523 is an example of a layout image that indicates the printing position of the watermark on one side of a sheet of paper.

[0065] When the auxiliary program 42 displays a layout image 523 relating to the settings of a watermark in the information display field 52, it displays a setting information field 53 including a position setting field 535 relating to the watermark item, a tilt setting field 536, and a size setting field 537. The position setting field 535 is a field for accepting the selection of information indicating the printing position of the center of the watermark on one side of the paper, the tilt setting field 536 is a field for accepting the selection of the angle formed by one side of the paper and the watermark, and the size setting field 537 is a field for accepting the selection of the size of the characters included in the watermark.

[0066] 5, the auxiliary program 42 can also receive from the general-purpose printing program 41 information indicating that a user operation (A11) to change the layout of the layout image 523 has been accepted. For example, if a drag-and-drop operation of the cursor 57 is performed from a position near the center of the displayed watermark, the auxiliary program 42 can receive information indicating the drag operation and information indicating the drop operation from the general-purpose printing program 41. For example, when the auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating a drag operation from the general-purpose printing program 41 (A12), it generates display data including a layout image in which the watermark has been selected (A13), and when the auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating a drop operation (A12), it changes the setting value of the watermark to the setting value that changes the position of the watermark, and generates display data including a layout image in which the position of the watermark has been changed (A13).

[0067] Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 passes the generated display data to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A14). As a result, the general-purpose printing program 41 updates the display of the general-purpose setting screen 50 (A15). In other words, the auxiliary program 42 displays on the general-purpose setting screen 50 a layout image 523 indicating the printing position of the watermark on one side of the paper, and becomes able to accept user operations on the layout image 523. The printing position can be changed by directly operating the watermark, so the user can intuitively change the position of the watermark.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, when a drag-and-drop operation of cursor 57 is performed from the longitudinal end of the displayed watermark, auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating the drag operation and information indicating the drop operation from general-purpose printing program 41 (A12), and generates display data based on the information received in response to each operation. In response to a drag operation, auxiliary program 42 may generate display data including a layout image in which the watermark is selected, and in response to a drop operation, auxiliary program 42 may change the setting value of the watermark to a setting value that changes the tilt of the watermark, and generate display data including a layout image in which the tilt of the watermark has been changed (A13). The tilt is an example of an angle. In this way, layout image 523 allows the user to directly change the watermark's print position as well as its tilt, enabling intuitive changes to the watermark's position and tilt.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, when a drag-and-drop operation of cursor 57 is performed from the short-side end of the displayed watermark, auxiliary program 42 receives information indicating the drag operation and information indicating the drop operation from general-purpose printing program 41 (A12), and generates display data based on the information received in response to each operation. In response to a drag operation, auxiliary program 42 may generate display data including a layout image in which the watermark has been selected, and in response to a drop operation, may change the watermark setting value to a resized setting value and generate display data including a layout image in which the watermark has been resized (A13). In this way, layout image 523 allows the user to directly change the watermark size as well as the watermark print position, enabling the user to intuitively change the watermark position and size.

[0070] In this case, too, the auxiliary program 42 changes the display of the watermark in the layout image 523 at A13, and generates display data in which the setting values ​​displayed in at least one of the position setting field 535, the tilt setting field 536, and the size setting field 537 have been changed. In this example, the steps A13 and A14 performed by the auxiliary program 42 are an example of image change processing that changes the layout image to be displayed, and the processing of A13 to change the setting values ​​of the watermark is an example of setting value change processing. Note that the auxiliary program 42 may also be able to accept an instruction to change the character string included in the watermark.

[0071] In the above description, when an operation on a layout image in the information display field 52 is accepted, the auxiliary program 42 changes and displays the layout image and also changes and displays the setting information field 53. However, these displays do not have to be linked. In other words, when an operation on a layout image is accepted, the auxiliary program 42 may simply change and display the layout image without changing the setting information field 53. Furthermore, when an operation on the setting information field 53 is accepted, the auxiliary program 42 may simply change and display the setting information field 53 without changing the layout image.

[0072] In this case, the auxiliary program 42 may link the display when, for example, a predetermined operation is received. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the auxiliary program 42 may generate display data including an update button 58 separately from the layout images 521, 522, and 523, and when an operation on the update button 58 is received, change and display the setting information field 53 in accordance with the layout image being displayed at that time. The update button 58 is an example of an update object.

[0073] When multiple operations are performed consecutively on a layout image, it is possible that they may become a series of operations that instruct changes to setting values. Changing and displaying the setting information field 53 after each operation may make the process cumbersome and may result in a display that is difficult for the user to understand. Instead of immediately reflecting changes to the layout image, as shown in FIG. 6, the system waits for an operation on the update button 58 associated with the layout image before reflecting the changes in the setting information field 53, thereby preventing changes that the user does not intend.

[0074] Returning to the description of the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, the general-purpose printing program 41 displays, for example, the general-purpose setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 on the user IF 13 in A08, and then becomes able to accept an instruction to perform detailed print settings by operating the detailed settings button 54. When an operation on the detailed settings button 54 is accepted (opt:[detailed settings], A31), the general-purpose printing program 41 passes an instruction to the auxiliary program 42 to start accepting detailed print settings (A32). The auxiliary program 42 displays the detailed settings screen for accepting detailed print settings on the display 13a of the user IF 13 (A33). Note that the auxiliary program 42 may acquire the capability information of the printer 2 prior to displaying A33, similar to the case where the capability information is acquired prior to generating display data in A05.

[0075] 7, the auxiliary program 42 displays a detailed settings screen 60 including a page arrangement item 61, a layout image 62, and an OK button 63 when a selection of aggregate printing such as Nin1 printing is accepted. Note that the detailed settings screen 60 may include setting items that are not included in the general-purpose settings screen 50, i.e., setting items for print settings that cannot be accepted by the general-purpose printing program 41. A33 displaying the detailed settings screen 60 including the layout image 62 is an example of display processing.

[0076] Note that, because there are many print setting items that can be accepted on the detailed settings screen, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to accept an instruction to switch the items to be selected, for example, using multiple tabs. For example, while FIG. 7 shows the detailed settings screen 60 including a layout image 62 related to Nin1 printing settings, by switching tabs, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to display a screen including a layout image related to header or footer settings, or a screen including a layout image related to watermark settings. The auxiliary program 42 may also be able to accept an instruction to switch the print setting items to be displayed on the basic tab of the detailed settings screen 60.

[0077] The detailed setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 includes a layout image 62 corresponding to a setting value indicating 4-in-1 (1234) printing, similar to the example of FIG. 3 described above. The auxiliary program 42 can accept a user operation on the layout image 62 on the detailed setting screen 60. The user can use, for example, a cursor to perform an operation on the layout image 62 and change the page arrangement. When the auxiliary program 42 accepts an operation on the layout image 62 (A35), the auxiliary program 42 changes and displays the layout image 62 on the detailed setting screen 60 based on the operation (A36). A36 is an example of an image change process.

[0078] For example, if the user performs a drag operation with the cursor positioned on page 2 and a drop operation on page 3, the auxiliary program 42 displays a layout image in which page 2 is selected at the time of the drag operation, and as the cursor moves to page 3, it displays a layout image in which page 2 has moved according to the cursor position, and when a drop operation is performed on page 3, it displays a layout image in which pages 2 and 3 have been swapped. The auxiliary program 42 can display the detailed settings screen 60 and detect operations on the detailed settings screen 60 in real time, and therefore can update the layout image in real time in response to operations as described above.

[0079] When the auxiliary program 42 receives an instruction to confirm the print settings by operating the OK button 63 on the detailed settings screen 60 (A37), it stores information about the confirmed print settings in the memory 12 (A38). When the auxiliary program 42 acquires the capability information of the printer 2, it is preferable that the auxiliary program 42 also stores the capability information. Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 passes the information about the confirmed print settings to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A39).

[0080] When the OK button 63 is pressed, the auxiliary program 42 closes the detailed settings screen 60. This causes the general settings screen 50 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described above to be displayed. The auxiliary program 42 may generate new display data in accordance with the print settings received on the detailed settings screen 60 and pass it to the general printing program 41.

[0081] When the auxiliary program 42 acquires the capability information of the printer 2, the auxiliary program 42 may pass the acquired capability information to the general-purpose printing program 41. The general-purpose printing program 41 may store the capability information passed from the auxiliary program 42 in the memory 12, or pass it to the editing application 43 and share it with the editing application 43.

[0082] The capability information that the auxiliary program 42 stores in the memory 12 and the capability information that it passes to the general-purpose printing program 41 and the editing application 43 may be information that includes all of the capability information acquired from the printer 2, or may be information that includes only part of the capability information acquired from the printer 2. For example, the capability information passed to the general-purpose printing program 41 and the editing application 43 may be only information related to print settings that can be accepted by the general-purpose printing program 41 and the editing application 43. By passing the capability information of the printer 2 to the general-purpose printing program 41 and the editing application 43 as well, options that match the capabilities of the printer 2 are displayed on the general-purpose setting screen 50 so that they can be selected.

[0083] Next, the print execution procedure will be described with reference to the sequence diagram in Fig. 8. After the user decides on the image to be printed and the print settings for the printer 2, the user inputs a print execution instruction in the editing application 43 (B01). The editing application 43 can accept the print execution instruction, for example, via an operation on the print button 55 on the general setting screen 50. When an operation on the print button 55 is accepted, the general printing program 41 closes the general setting screen 50 and will no longer accept changes to the print settings.

[0084] That is, the auxiliary program 42 displays the general setting screen 50 including the layout images 521, 522, and 523, or the detailed setting screen 60 including the layout image 62, before receiving a print execution instruction. Therefore, the print setting values ​​changed by direct manipulation of the layout images are applied in the print execution instruction and are reflected in the printing.

[0085] When the editing application 43 receives a print instruction from the user, because the general-purpose printing program 41 is incorporated into the OS 21 of the PC 1, it determines that it has received an execution instruction to cause the printer 2 to print the selected image to the general-purpose printing program 41. The editing application 43 outputs information about the received print instruction to the general-purpose printing program 41 (B02).

[0086] The general-purpose printing program 41 acquires, as print instruction information, image data indicating the image to be printed and information indicating print settings from the editing application 43. Based on the information acquired from the editing application 43, the general-purpose printing program 41 generates intermediate data by converting the format of the image data of the image to be printed into the format of intermediate data (B03). The image data included in the editing application 43 is of various types, and the general-purpose printing program 41 converts the image data to be printed into intermediate data suitable for generating print data. Note that if the image data to be printed is data suitable for generating print data, the generation of intermediate data may be omitted and the image data may be used as is as intermediate data.

[0087] Before generating the intermediate data, the general-purpose printing program 41 may start the auxiliary program 42 corresponding to the designated device, printer 2, and notify the printer 2 that print job processing has started. When started by the general-purpose printing program 41, the auxiliary program 42 can pass information indicating various instructions used when generating the intermediate data to the general-purpose printing program 41 as necessary.

[0088] After generating the intermediate data, the general-purpose printing program 41 outputs an execution instruction to the auxiliary program 42, thereby starting the auxiliary program 42 (B05). The auxiliary program 42 acquires the intermediate data generated by the general-purpose printing program 41 and information on print settings, for example, by making a request to the general-purpose printing program 41 (B06). The intermediate data acquired in B06 is image data representing an image to be printed, and is intermediate data generated by the general-purpose printing program 41 based on the image data acquired from the editing application 43 in B02.

[0089] The auxiliary program 42 can edit the intermediate data obtained from the general-purpose printing program 41 as needed. For example, if a print command is issued with print settings including 4-in-1 printing, and the printer 2 does not have the capability for 4-in-1 combined printing, the auxiliary program 42 may generate intermediate data edited for 4-in-1 combined printing based on the intermediate data obtained from the general-purpose printing program 41. On the other hand, if the printer 2 has the capability for 4-in-1 combined printing, the auxiliary program 42 may generate intermediate data to which 4-in-1 printing and page layout commands are added, without editing the intermediate data obtained from the general-purpose printing program 41. Similarly, the auxiliary program 42 may edit the corresponding intermediate data for header / footer synthesis and watermark synthesis depending on whether the printer 2 has the capability.

[0090] The auxiliary program 42 passes the edited intermediate data to the general-purpose printing program 41 and instructs the general-purpose printing program 41 to generate print data and send it to the printer 2 (B12). As a result, the general-purpose printing program 41 performs necessary processing such as rasterizing the intermediate data to generate print data (B13), and sends a print job including the generated print data to the printer 2 (B14). The printer 2 executes printing based on the received print job (B21). B12 is a process for controlling the transmission of the print job to the printer 2, and is an example of a transmission process.

[0091] Note that the auxiliary program 42 may perform rasterization instead of the general-purpose printing program 41 to generate print data. In this case, the auxiliary program 42 may perform rasterization based on the intermediate data to generate print data, and may pass the generated print data and print settings to the general-purpose printing program 41 to instruct it to be sent to the printer 2. The auxiliary program 42 may also process the print data generated by the general-purpose printing program 41 or the auxiliary program 42 as necessary. Note that the print data sent to the printer 2 may be data in a format that can be printed by the printer 2.

[0092] Rasterization by the auxiliary program 42 allows for greater flexibility than rasterization by the general-purpose printing program 41, and is more likely to generate print data suitable for printing on the printer 2. On the other hand, if rasterization is performed by the general-purpose printing program 41, the processing by the auxiliary program 42 is reduced, and the program size of the auxiliary program 42 can be reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, instead of sending print data from the general-purpose print program 41 to the printer 2, the auxiliary program 42 may send a print command instructing the printer 2 to execute printing and the print data. For example, if the print settings include settings related to image processing that can be executed by the printer 2, the auxiliary program 42 may generate a print command that also includes information about that processing.

[0094] As described above in detail, the auxiliary program 42 of the first embodiment displays, on the user IF 13, the general setting screen 50 including layout images 521, 522, and 523 showing the layout to be set, corresponding to the setting values ​​of predetermined items of the print setting, or the detailed setting screen 60 including the layout image 62, and can accept operations on the displayed layout image. When the user directly operates the layout image using the cursor 57 or the like, the auxiliary program 42 changes the setting values ​​of the predetermined items and also changes the layout image. This allows the user to intuitively change the setting values ​​of the predetermined items while checking the layout image.

[0095] Next, the auxiliary program 42 of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The auxiliary program 42 of the second embodiment displays the layout image for accepting direct operations on a separate screen, instead of accepting direct operations on the layout image on the general setting screen 50 or the detailed setting screen 60. Configurations and procedures similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0096] Similar to the auxiliary program 42 of the first embodiment, the auxiliary program 42 of this embodiment is started by the general-purpose printing program 41 (A03) in response to the user selecting printing in the editing application 43 (A01 in FIG. 2). The auxiliary program 42 generates display data to be displayed on the general-purpose setting screen 50 (A05) and outputs it to the general-purpose printing program 41 (A06). The general-purpose printing program 41 displays the general-purpose setting screen 50 on the user IF 13 based on the display data (A08).

[0097] 9, the general setting screen 50 of this embodiment includes printer information 51, an information display field 52, a setting information field 53, a detailed setting button 54, and a print button 55. In the information display field 52, layout images 521, 522, 523, etc. similar to those of the first embodiment are displayed, along with a change button 59. This differs from the first embodiment in that the change button 59 is not displayed. The auxiliary program 42 of this embodiment does not accept direct operations on the layout images of the general setting screen 50.

[0098] A user who wants to change the layout first operates the change button 59 on the general setting screen 50, for example, using the cursor 57. The change button 59 is a button that accepts an instruction to change the layout, i.e., an instruction to display a screen that can accept layout changes. When the general printing program 41 detects an operation on the change button 59, it passes that information to the auxiliary program 42. The auxiliary program 42 may also detect an operation on the change button 59. The change button 59 is an example of a display object.

[0099] When the auxiliary program 42 of this embodiment detects that the change button 59 has been operated, it causes the user IF 13 to display a layout change screen 70, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 . The layout change screen 70 is a screen including a layout image 71 similar to the layout image 521 of the general setting screen 50. The layout change screen 70 is an example of a predetermined screen. Note that the auxiliary program 42 may also cause the layout change screen 70 to display information about setting values.

[0100] The auxiliary program 42 can accept an operation on the layout image 71 on the layout change screen 70. The user can directly operate the layout image 71 using, for example, a cursor 72. For example, similar to the first embodiment, when the auxiliary program 42 accepts an operation to swap the arrangement of the second and third pages using the cursor 72, the auxiliary program 42 swaps the arrangement of the second and third pages and displays the layout image 71. Note that the layout image included in the layout change screen 70 is not limited to the layout image 71 showing the page arrangement for Nin1 printing, but may also be a layout image relating to header or footer settings, or a layout image relating to watermark settings.

[0101] As described above in detail, the auxiliary program 42 of the second embodiment also makes it possible to cause the user IF 13 to display the layout change screen 70 including the layout image 71 showing the layout to be set, and to accept direct operations by the user on the layout image 71. Therefore, similar to the auxiliary program 42 of the first embodiment, the user can intuitively change the setting values ​​of the predetermined items while checking the layout image.

[0102] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples and do not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the device connected to PC 1 is not limited to printer 2, but may be any device having printing and communication functions, such as a multifunction device, copier, or fax machine. Furthermore, the number of printers connected to PC 1 may be two or more.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, the various screens displayed on the user IF 13 are merely examples and are not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, the wording, object shapes, backgrounds, etc. displayed on each of the illustrated screens may be any.

[0104] Furthermore, for example, the setting items to be set and displayed as the information display field 52 and the setting information field 53 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 3 to 5. Furthermore, the types of operations that can be accepted in each layout image and the types of setting values ​​that can be changed are not limited to the examples in each embodiment. For example, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to accept an operation indicating image rotation in a layout image for Nin1 printing.

[0105] Furthermore, if the user changes the default printer from another printer to printer 2 via the OS 21 after the print setting screen is displayed by the general-purpose print program 41, the general-purpose print program 41 may also start the auxiliary program 42. Furthermore, the auxiliary program 42 may be started not only when printing is selected, but also when printer 2 is selected as a device setting, for example. Even in these cases, the auxiliary program 42 may be able to display a layout image.

[0106] In the embodiment, only operations related to printing are described in detail as the operations of the auxiliary program 42, but the auxiliary program 42 may have other roles as well. The program that executes the processing of this embodiment is not limited to the auxiliary program 42, and may be any program that receives instructions from the OS 21 or the general-purpose print program 41 when printing is performed using the general-purpose print program 41. For example, it may be a print workflow application (Print workflow) whose specifications have been made public by Microsoft.

[0107] Furthermore, the execution timing of the auxiliary program 42 is not limited to that of the embodiment. For example, the auxiliary program 42 may be executed in response to a direct execution instruction from the OS 21, or may be a resident auxiliary program 42. If the auxiliary program 42 is resident, it may simply receive an execution command and perform the above-described operation.

[0108] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in each embodiment, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as desired, as long as no contradictions occur in the processing content.

[0109] The processes disclosed in each embodiment may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in each embodiment may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1 PC 2. Printer 11 CPU 13 User Interface

Claims

1. A support program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing device, corresponds to a printer connected to the information processing device, and supports a general-purpose printing program included in an operating system of the information processing device, The computer, Execute a display process to display, on a user interface of the information processing device, a layout image showing a layout to be set, which corresponds to a setting value of a predetermined item among the print settings used for printing by the printer; The computer further comprises: an image change process for changing the layout image displayed in the display process in response to reception of a first operation for directly operating the layout image using a predetermined operator via the user interface of the information processing device, the first operation changing the layout of the setting target shown in the layout image; a setting value change process for changing a setting value of the predetermined item of the print setting based on the acceptance of the first operation; Execute A support program configured to:

2. 2. The support program according to claim 1, In the display process, the layout image is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device together with a setting screen that accepts the print settings, and the setting screen includes, apart from the layout image, a predetermined setting field that displays setting values ​​for the predetermined items; The computer, when a second operation for changing the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field is accepted via the user interface of the information processing device, executing a setting field change process for changing the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field; The computer further comprises: When the first operation is accepted, the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field is changed in accordance with the first operation. A support program configured to:

3. 2. The support program according to claim 1, In the display process, the layout image is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, together with a setting screen that accepts the print settings, and the setting screen includes, apart from the layout image, a predetermined setting field that displays setting values ​​for the predetermined items, and an update object associated with the layout image; The computer, when a second operation for changing the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field is accepted via the user interface of the information processing device, executing a setting field change process for changing the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field; The computer further comprises: When the update object is operated after the first operation is accepted, the setting value displayed in the predetermined setting field is changed in accordance with the first operation. A support program configured to:

4. 2. The support program according to claim 1, the general-purpose printing program is capable of causing the computer to display a general-purpose setting screen, which accepts print settings to be used for printing on the printer, on the user interface of the information processing device; In the display process by the support program, image data corresponding to the layout image is output to the general-purpose printing program so that the general-purpose setting screen including the layout image is displayed by the general-purpose printing program; A support program configured to:

5. 2. The support program according to claim 1, the general-purpose printing program is capable of causing the computer to display a general-purpose setting screen, which accepts print settings to be used for printing on the printer, on the user interface of the information processing device; The support program is installed on the computer. outputting image data corresponding to an image including the display objects to the general-purpose printing program so that the general-purpose setting screen including the display objects associated with the layout image is displayed by the general-purpose printing program, and further detecting an operation on the display objects included in the general-purpose setting screen; The support program further includes: When it is detected that the display object has been operated via the user interface of the information processing device, a predetermined screen for accepting settings of the predetermined item of the print settings is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device; In the display process by the support program, the predetermined screen including the layout image is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device. A support program configured to:

6. 2. The support program according to claim 1, the general-purpose printing program is capable of causing the computer to display a general-purpose setting screen, which accepts print settings to be used for printing on the printer, on the user interface of the information processing device; The support program is installed on the computer. a detailed setting screen for accepting print settings to be used for printing on the printer, the detailed setting screen including setting items not included in the general setting screen of the general-purpose printing program, can be displayed on the user interface of the information processing device; In the display process by the support program, the detailed setting screen including the layout image is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device. A support program configured to:

7. 2. The support program according to claim 1, The computer, When a print instruction is output from an application program installed in the information processing device, the print instruction is to cause the printer to print an image to the general-purpose print program, and image data representing the image is acquired from the general-purpose print program, executing a transmission process that controls transmission of a print job based on the image data to the printer, in which printing based on the print job is performed by the printer that has received the print job; The computer further comprises: executing the display process based on a display instruction output from the application program before the print instruction is accepted, the display instruction instructing the general-purpose print program to display a screen on which the print instruction can be accepted; A support program configured to:

8. 2. The support program according to claim 1, In the display process, The layout image showing the layout of the page arrangement included in the setting of the aggregate printing is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, with the page arrangement included in the setting of the aggregate printing being the predetermined item; In the image change process, In response to receiving the first operation for changing the page arrangement shown in the layout image, the page arrangement shown in the layout image displayed in the display processing is changed, In the setting value change process, a setting value of a page arrangement in the print settings is changed based on the acceptance of the first operation; A support program configured to:

9. 2. The support program according to claim 1, In the display process, the layout image indicating the print position of the header or footer within one surface of the paper is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, with the position included in the header or footer setting being the predetermined item; In the image change process, a position of a header or a footer shown in the layout image displayed in the display processing is changed in response to receiving the first operation for changing a position of a header or a footer shown in the layout image; In the setting value change process, a setting value of a header or footer position in the print settings is changed based on the acceptance of the first operation; A support program configured to:

10. 2. The support program according to claim 1, In the display process, the layout image showing the print position of the watermark on one surface of the paper is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, with the position included in the watermark settings being the predetermined item; In the image change process, a position of the watermark shown in the layout image displayed in the display processing is changed in response to receiving the first operation for changing the position of the watermark shown in the layout image; In the setting value change process, a setting value for the watermark position in the print settings is changed based on the acceptance of the first operation; A support program configured to:

11. 11. The support program according to claim 10, In the display process, the layout image showing the print position of the watermark on one surface of the paper and the angle of the watermark is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, with the position and angle included in the watermark settings being the predetermined items; In the image change process, in response to receiving the first operation for changing at least one of the position and the angle of the watermark shown in the layout image, a layout of an item corresponding to the received first operation among the position and the angle of the watermark is changed for the layout image displayed in the display processing, In the setting value change process, Based on the acceptance of the first operation, the setting values ​​of the items corresponding to the accepted first operation, among the position and angle of the watermark in the print settings, are changed. A support program configured to:

12. 11. The support program according to claim 10, In the display process, the layout image showing the print position of the watermark on one surface of the paper and the size of the watermark is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, with the position and size included in the watermark settings being the predetermined items; In the image change process, In response to receiving the first operation for changing at least one of the position and size of the watermark displayed on the layout image, the layout of the item corresponding to the received first operation among the position and size of the watermark is changed for the layout image displayed in the display processing, In the setting value change process, Based on the acceptance of the first operation, a setting value of the item corresponding to the accepted first operation among the position and size of the watermark in the print settings is changed. A support program configured to:

Images