Information processing apparatus, program, and control method

Abstract

When the user-set sheet is fed to the printer, either the "cassette" or the "manual feed tray" can be used as the sheet feeding unit. However, the cassette cannot handle small paper sheets, and the user must designate a paper feed unit in accordance with the size of user-set paper sheets. To solve the problem that a paper size setting screen and a paper feeding part setting screen are different from each other and a printing mistake due to a setting defect is apt to occur.SOLUTION: User setting paper is added to choices of paper sizes, and a paper feed part is automatically changed to a manual feed tray when the user setting paper is designated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, with the widespread use of terminals, there has been an increase in the number of cases where terminals are used in corporate operations. A terminal on which an application for instructing an image processing device, such as a multifunction peripheral or printer, to execute a process can be installed to issue print or scan instructions to the image processing device. For example, a user selects a file from a folder and configures print settings on an application on a mobile terminal, and then sends a print instruction to the image processing device. Upon receiving the execution instruction, the image processing device executes the print process according to the settings.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that a terminal generates print data including information specifying a paper feed slot and transmits the print data to an image processing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-173995 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When issuing a print instruction to an image processing apparatus from a terminal, it is troublesome for the user to set the paper feed slot, paper size, etc. on the terminal, and an inexperienced user may not be able to make the appropriate settings.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method that allows suitable settings to be made even when a printing instruction is given to an image processing apparatus from a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, the control method comprising: a reception process for receiving a non-standard size setting as the paper size of the print settings; a change process for changing the paper feed setting of the print settings to manual feed if the non-standard size setting is received in the reception process; and a transmission process for controlling the transmission of a print job based on the print settings to an image processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Even when instructing printing from a terminal to an image processing apparatus, it is possible to perform suitable settings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 3] This is an example of a communication app UI. [Figure 4] This is an example of a UI related to printing in a communication app. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of paper feed unit selection. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a UI for print settings in a communication app. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of changing print settings. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a UI for print settings in a communication app. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of changing a print preview screen. [Figure 10] This is an example of a UI for print preview in a communication app. [Figure 11] This is an example of a UI related to printing methods in a communication application. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for each printing method when a user-specified paper sheet is selected. [Figure 13] This is an example of a UI for paper size in a communication app. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 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.

[0011] Furthermore, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention also includes any modifications or improvements to the embodiments described below that are made appropriately based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art, provided that they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0012] (First embodiment) An information processing device and a communication device included in the communication system of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as an example of the information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to this. Various devices, such as a mobile terminal, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a digital camera, can also be used. Furthermore, various devices capable of wireless communication with the information processing device can also be used as the communication device. For example, printers, which are image processing devices, can be used, such as inkjet printers and electrophotographic printers. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to printers but also to scanners, copiers, facsimile machines, mobile terminals, smartphones, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, smart speakers, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to multifunction peripherals equipped with multiple functions, such as copying, faxing, printing, and scanning. In this embodiment, the communication device is a multifunction printer equipped with functions such as printing and scanning.

[0013] <Hardware configuration of each device> First, the configuration of an information processing device included in the communication system of this embodiment and a communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 1. In addition, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but the functions are not particularly limited to those shown in this diagram.

[0014] The information processing device 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, an operation display unit 108, a communication unit 109, a short-range wireless communication unit 110, an image capturing device 111, and the like.

[0015] The input interface 102 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 107 described below and the input interface 102 may have the same configuration, and the screen output and the reception of operations from the user may be performed by the same configuration.

[0016] The CPU 103 is a system control unit that controls the entire information processing device 101 .

[0017] The ROM 104 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 103, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) program. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 104. Note that in this embodiment, the OS stored in the ROM 104 and running on the information processing device 101 is assumed to be the Android (registered trademark) OS provided by Google, the Chrome (registered trademark) OS provided by Google, or iOS (registered trademark) provided by Apple. If the OS running on the information processing device 101 is the Chrome OS, the ROM 104 also stores a virtual Android OS for running an Android OS app (described later) on the information processing device 101.

[0018] The RAM 105 is configured with an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power source. Note that the RAM 105 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, so that important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 105 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the information processing device 101, management data for the information processing device 101, and the like. The RAM 105 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 103.

[0019] The external storage device 106 includes an application program (hereinafter referred to as a communication application) that has a function of communicating with the communication device 151. Specifically, the communication application is, for example, an application that has a printing function for causing the communication device 151 to execute printing, or a scanning function for causing the communication device 151 to execute scanning. However, the communication application is not limited to this, and may be an application that has either a printing function or a scanning function, or an application that has other functions. The external storage device 106 also includes various programs, such as a print information generation program that generates print information that can be interpreted by the communication device 151, and an information transmission / reception control program that transmits and receives information to and from the communication device 151 connected via the communication unit 109. The external storage device 106 stores various information used by these programs. It also stores image data obtained from other information processing devices or the Internet via the communication unit.

[0020] The output interface 107 is an interface that controls the operation display unit 108 to display data and notify the status of the information processing device 101 .

[0021] The operation display unit 108 is composed of LEDs (light emitting diodes), LCDs (liquid crystal displays), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of the information processing device 101. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the operation display unit 108 to accept input from the user via the operation display unit 108.

[0022] The communication unit 109 is configured to connect to a device such as the communication device 151 and perform data communication. For example, the communication unit 109 can connect to an access point (not shown) in the communication device 151. When the communication unit 109 connects to the access point in the communication device 151, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 can communicate with each other. Hereinafter, the access point may also be referred to as an AP. Note that the communication unit 109 may communicate directly with the communication device 151 via wireless communication, or may communicate via an access point 131 that is external to the information processing device 101 and external to the communication device 151. In this embodiment, the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards is used as the wireless communication method. Note that the IEEE802.11 series of communication standards is Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0023] The access point 131 may be, for example, a device such as a wireless LAN router. In this embodiment, a method in which the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 are directly connected without going through an external access point is called a direct connection method. A method in which the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 are connected through an external access point 131 is called an infrastructure (hereinafter, referred to as "infra") connection method.

[0024] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is configured to perform data communication by wirelessly connecting to a device such as the communication device 151 over a short distance, and performs communication using a communication method different from that of the communication unit 109. Examples of short-range wireless communication methods used by the short-range wireless communication unit 110 include Bluetooth (registered trademark) and NFC (Near Field Communication). Bluetooth may be Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is connectable to a short-range wireless communication unit 157 in the communication device 151.

[0025] The photographing device 111 is a device that converts an image photographed by a photographing element into digital data. The digital data is temporarily stored in the RAM 105. Thereafter, the digital data is converted into a predetermined image format by a program executed by the CPU 154, and is saved in the external storage device 106 as image data.

[0026] The ROM 152 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 154, data tables, and OS programs.

[0027] The communication device 151 includes a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a CPU 154, a print engine 155, a communication unit 156, a short-range wireless communication unit 157, an input interface 158, an output interface 159, an operation display unit 160, and a scan control unit 161. By setting a connection mode (communication mode), the communication device 151 can operate in the set connection mode.

[0028] The communication unit 156 is a component that enables the communication device 151 to communicate with other devices. In this embodiment, the communication unit 156 communicates according to the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards. The communication unit 156 has an access point as an internal access point of the communication device 151 for connecting to devices such as the information processing device 101. The access point can be connected to the communication unit 109 of the information processing device 101. The communication unit 156 may communicate with the information processing device 101 directly via wireless communication, or may communicate via the access point 131. The communication unit 156 may include hardware that functions as an access point, or may operate as an access point using software that causes the communication unit 156 to function as an access point. In this embodiment, the communication unit 156 and the near-field wireless communication unit 157 are implemented by a single wireless chip. That is, in this embodiment, a combo chip that supports both the communication function of the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards and the communication function using a near-field wireless communication method is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the communication unit 156 and the short-range wireless communication unit 157 may be realized by separate wireless chips.

[0029] The RAM 153 is composed of a DRAM or the like that requires a backup power supply. Note that the RAM 153 retains data by being supplied with a data backup power supply (not shown), so it can store important data such as program control variables without volatilizing it. The RAM 153 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 154, and stores a receive buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the information processing device 101, etc., as well as various other information.

[0030] The ROM 152 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 154. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of an embedded OS stored in the ROM 152. The ROM 152 also has a memory area for storing data that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied, such as setting information for the communication device 151 and management data for the communication device 151.

[0031] The CPU 154 is a system control unit that controls the entire communication device 151 .

[0032] Based on the information stored in the print engine 155 and RAM 153 and the print job received from the information processing device 101, etc., an image is formed on a recording medium such as paper using a recording agent such as ink, and the print result is output. At this time, the print job sent from the information processing device 101, etc., has a large amount of transmission data and requires high-speed communication, so it is received via the communication unit 156, which can communicate faster than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0033] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to establish a short-range wireless connection with a device such as the information processing device 101 and perform data communication, and communicates using a communication method different from that of the communication unit 156. Examples of short-range wireless communication methods used by the short-range wireless communication unit 110 include Bluetooth (registered trademark) and NFC. Bluetooth may be Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is connectable to the short-range wireless communication unit 110.

[0034] The input interface 158 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 159 described below and the input interface 158 may have the same configuration, and the same configuration may be used for screen output and reception of operations from the user. The output interface 159 is an interface that controls the operation display unit 160 to display data and notify the status of the communication device 151.

[0035] The operation display unit 160 is composed of a display unit such as an LED (light emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays data and notifies the status of the communication device 151. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the operation display unit 160 to accept input from the user via the operation display unit 160.

[0036] The scan control unit 161 includes an image sensor unit (reading unit) that scans documents placed on the document platen or ADF (attached document feeder) shown in the attached drawings. The image sensor unit includes a light source that irradiates the document with light and an image sensor with an array of elements that read the reflected light and perform photoelectric conversion. The scan control unit 161 acquires image data by A / D (analog / digital) conversion of the analog electrical signal obtained by reading the document with the image sensor unit. The scan control unit 161 also includes a circuit that performs DMA (direct memory access) transfer to store the acquired image data in RAM 153.

[0037] In the software AP mode, between devices communicating with each other (for example, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151), one device (for example, the information processing device 101) serves as a client that requests various services. The other device realizes the function of a Wi-Fi access point through software configuration. The software AP corresponds to a Wi-Fi master station, and the client corresponds to a Wi-Fi slave station. In the software AP mode, the client searches for a device that will become the software AP using device discovery information. Once the software AP is discovered, the remaining wireless connection processing (establishing a wireless connection, etc.) between the client and the software AP is performed, and then IP connection processing (assigning an IP address, etc.) is performed. Note that commands and parameters transmitted and received when establishing a wireless connection between the client and the software AP may be those specified in the Wi-Fi standard, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. The communication device 151 operates as a software AP, thereby enabling direct wireless communication with the information processing device 101 without going through an external access point.

[0038] ●Communication application (communication app) configuration FIG. 2 shows the configuration of communication applications stored in the ROM 104, external storage device 106, etc. of the information processing device 101.

[0039] The communication application is an application program having a printing function that causes the communication device 151, which functions as a printer or printing device, to print image data, document data, etc. stored in the information processing device 101. The communication application also has a function that imports image data, document data, etc. scanned by the communication device 151 into the information processing device 101 and stores them.

[0040] The communication application 200 includes an operation reception unit 201, a display control unit 202, a communication device search unit 203, and a print control unit 204. Each program module is executed by the CPU 103 to realize its respective function. In this embodiment, the communication application 200 receives operations performed on the operation display unit 108 via the operation reception unit 201.

[0041] The display control unit 202 controls the display on the operation display unit 108 by the communication application 200. For example, a list of searched printers (communication devices 151) is displayed on the operation display unit 108 of the information processing device 101.

[0042] The communication device search unit 203 searches for a printer (communication device 151) that can be connected to the information processing device 101 and that can be used by the communication application 200.

[0043] The print control unit 204 transmits the selected data to be printed to the selected communication device 151 for printing. The data to be printed may be, for example, document data or image data saved when the communication application 200 is launched. Alternatively, the data may be data acquired from a cloud server or the communication device 151. Alternatively, the data may be data acquired from another data source. Note that, hereinafter, the processing described as processing executed by the components within the communication application is, more precisely, processing realized by the CPU 103 reading the communication application stored in the ROM 104 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. To print, the print control unit 204 generates a print job and transmits it to the communication device 151 (i.e., the printer). The device 151 executes the received print job, and printing is performed.

[0044] 3a and 3b show example screens displayed by the communication application 200. A home screen 300 is displayed on the operation display unit 108 of the information processing device 101. The home screen 300 is a screen displayed when the communication application 200 is started, and is a screen on which the user selects a function to execute from among the functions of the communication application 200. 301 indicates a printer targeted by the communication application 200. The MFP 101 shown here is, for example, the communication device 151, and is the target of print instructions and scan instructions from the communication application 200. The target printer is set from devices found by the search process. 302 is a document print button, and when pressed, transitions to screen 310 in FIG. 3b. A photo print button 303 is a button for printing photos, and when pressed, transitions to a screen for selecting a photo file. A scan button 304 is a button for issuing a scan instruction to the communication device 151, and when pressed, transitions to a scan settings screen.

[0045] Display item 311 in Figure 3b is a display item used to select data to print, and shows the folder hierarchy for selecting data. By operating display item 311, the user can change the folder to be displayed. 312 shows the data in folder hierarchy 311, which is Test1.pdf.

[0046] 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d show examples of print setting displays for the communication application 200. Selecting data 312 in FIG. 3b transitions to a print preview screen 400. 401 is a print preview image of the data to be printed, and indicates that a preview of data 312Test1.pdf is displayed. 403 is a print button that executes printing. When the print button 403 is pressed, the communication application 200 creates a print job and instructs the printer to print. 402 is a list of print setting values, and the current print settings are displayed. Pressing 402 transitions to a print setting screen 404.

[0047] Various print settings can be made on the print setting screen 404. 405 is an output paper size item. Pressing the output paper size item 405 transitions to an output paper size selection screen 409. 406 is a paper feed item. Pressing the paper feed item 406 transitions to a paper feed selection screen 407. The paper feed selection screen 407 displays the paper feeds that can be selected for the target printer 301. The user can select either automatic or manual feed in paper feed option 408. If the user selects automatic, the target printer (communication device 151) feeds paper from an appropriate cassette. If the user selects manual feed, the target printer (communication device 151) feeds paper from the manual feed tray. If the user selects automatic or manual feed in paper feed option 408, the screen transitions to the print setting screen 404, and the print setting screen 404 is displayed with the setting value selected in paper feed option 408 reflected.

[0048] The output paper size selection screen 409 displays paper sizes selectable by the target printer 301. One of the features of this embodiment is that the paper size options 410 display and allow selection of a non-standard paper size, known as user-defined paper, in addition to standard paper sizes such as A4 and B5. In other words, it is possible to select a non-standard paper size from the communication application 200, set the size, and issue a print instruction. When the user selects one of the options from the paper size options 410, the screen transitions to the print setting screen 404, which displays the setting value selected in the paper size options 410. Here, it is assumed that the user-defined paper size is preset in the target printer (communication device 151). The user registers the value of the user-defined paper size in the target printer (communication device 151) by operating the operation unit of the target printer (communication device 151) in advance. When the target printer (communication device 151) receives a print job from the communication application 200 in which user-defined paper is set as the paper size, the print job is printed on paper of the preset size. The communication application 200 may also be configured to allow the user-defined paper size to be set. For example, the communication application 200 accepts a numerical input of a size from a user. In this case, a print job including information on the size of the user-defined paper set on the communication application 200 is sent to the target printer (communication device 151), and the target printer (communication device 151) prints on paper of a size based on the information.

[0049] 5 is a flowchart showing how the communication application 200 changes the settings of the paper feed unit in this embodiment. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 103 reading various programs stored in a memory such as the external storage device 106 into the RAM 105 and executing them. Specifically, this flowchart is implemented by the execution of the communication application 200, and corresponds to processing by the display control unit 2020 and the print control unit 204 in particular.

[0050] In S501, the communication application 200 detects that a paper size has been specified on the output paper size selection screen 409, and determines whether the specified paper size is a user-defined paper size. If it is a user-defined paper size, the process proceeds to S502. If it is not a user-defined paper size, the process proceeds to existing processing and ends the processing of this flowchart. Next, in S502, the communication application 200 changes the paper feed unit setting in the print settings to manual feed. With this change, the paper feed unit setting for the print job created by pressing the print button 403 becomes manual feed. Note that the communication application 200 assumes that the paper feed unit setting is the default, i.e., the initial state is "automatic."

[0051] According to the processing of this flowchart, when a user sets the paper size to a non-standard "user-defined paper" in the communication application 200, the paper feed setting is automatically changed to "manual feed" without the user having to perform any operation to change the paper feed setting, thereby reducing the number of operations required by the user. Since users generally print by loading paper of the "user-defined paper" size into a manual feeder, automatically changing the paper feed setting to "manual feed" improves usability. Here, "user-defined paper" is shown as an example of a paper size for which the paper feed setting is automatically changed, but other paper sizes may be used as long as they are non-standard paper sizes. Furthermore, although an example has been shown in which the paper feed setting is manual feed for "user-defined paper," the paper feed setting may also be automatically changed to a specified cassette (paper feed stage).

[0052] FIG. 6 shows an example of the print settings display of a communication application. The print settings screen 601 is a print settings screen when the paper size is set to user-specified paper and the paper source is set to manual feed as a result of the flow of steps S501 and S502 in FIG. 5. Compared to the print settings screen 404, the output paper size item 601 is set to user-specified paper and the paper source item 602 has been switched to manual feed. The display item for the paper source item 602 is grayed out, preventing the user from re-changing the automatically changed setting value. In this embodiment, the automatically changed item cannot be re-changed by the user, but it may be possible for the user to re-change it. When the user transitions from the print settings screen 601 to the print preview screen 400 and selects the print button 403, a print job with the paper size set to user-specified paper and the paper source set to manual feed is sent from the communication application 200.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, user-defined paper is added to the paper size options, and when user-defined paper is specified, the paper feed unit is automatically changed to the manual feed tray, thereby reducing paper feed unit setting errors and the number of UI operations, and preventing printing errors when using user-defined paper.

[0054] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which paper feeder settings were switched by specifying a user-defined paper sheet. However, using a user-defined paper sheet may also be beneficial in changing print settings other than the paper feeder. For example, if the user-defined paper sheet is small, double-sided printing is not possible, so it may be better to set the double-sided / single-sided setting to single-sided. This type of print setting change will be explained in this embodiment. The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be shown.

[0055] 7 is a flowchart of a print setting change when the paper size is changed to a user-defined paper size by the communication application 200 in this embodiment. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 103 reading various programs stored in a memory such as the external storage device 106 into the RAM 105 and executing them. Specifically, this flowchart is implemented by the execution of the communication application 200, and corresponds to processing by the display control unit 2020 and the print control unit 204 in particular.

[0056] In S701, the communication application 200 detects that a paper size has been specified on the output paper size selection screen 409 and determines whether the specified paper size is a user-defined paper size. If it is a user-defined paper size, the process proceeds to S702. If it is not a user-defined paper size, the process proceeds to S706, where it checks whether there are any conflicts or inconsistencies in the print settings set by the user.

[0057] In S702, the communication application 200 changes the paper feed unit setting to manual feed. With this change, the paper feed unit for the print job created by pressing the print button 403 becomes manual feed.

[0058] Next, in S703, the communication application 200 changes the document (page) layout setting to 1 in 1. With this change, the print job created by pressing the print button 403 will be set to 1 in 1. Next, in S704, the communication application 200 changes the double-sided / single-sided setting to single-sided. With this change, the print job created by pressing the print button 403 will be set to single-sided. This is because double-sided printing may not be possible if the user-specified paper size is small. Next, in S705, the communication application 200 changes the staple setting to no staples. With this change, the print job created by pressing the print button 403 will be set to no staples. When a user uses user-specified paper as the paper size, they often set it to 1 in 1, single-sided, or no staples. Therefore, if the user sets user-specified paper as the paper size, these settings can be automatically changed, reducing the number of user operations. Then, in S706, the system checks whether there are any errors in the settings made by the user and the automatically changed print settings, and terminates the process.

[0059] The above flow allows automatic changes to print settings that can correctly print, eliminating conflicts and setting errors when printing on user-specified paper, in addition to the paper source settings described in the first embodiment. Note that the processing order of 1-in-1, single-sided, and staple in steps S703 to S705 is not restricted to a specific order. While the example shown here is for changing the paper source, layout, double-sided / single-sided, and staple settings, other settings may be changed, or at least one setting item may be changed, rather than all of the settings shown here. When print settings are automatically changed, a screen display may be displayed to let the user know that the settings have been changed. For example, the changed setting values ​​may be highlighted, or a pop-up message may be displayed to notify the user that the settings have been changed.

[0060] 8a and 8b show examples of print settings displayed in a communication application. Print setting screen 800 is displayed before the flow in FIG. 7 starts, and print setting screen 804 is displayed after the flow in FIG. 7 ends. The processing in S702 switches the output paper size from 801 (A4) to 806 (user-specified paper), the processing in S703 switches the page layout from 803 (2-in-1) to 808 (1-in-1), the processing in S704 switches the output paper size from 802 (double-sided) to 807 (single-sided), and the processing in S705 switches the staple setting from 804 (staple) to 809 (do not staple). Automatically changed settings may be grayed out so that they cannot be changed by the user, or they may be configured to accept user changes.

[0061] Not only on the print settings screen, but also on the print preview screen, some functions cannot be executed due to the paper size being set to non-standard. Specifically, it becomes impossible to display the preview image, and it also becomes impossible to execute the function of requesting the cloud to convert image data. Because the paper size is non-standard, the processing of these functions becomes complicated, so these functions are not executed in the first place.

[0062] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the communication application 200 in this embodiment to disable a function when the paper size is changed to a user-defined paper size. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 103 reading various programs stored in a memory such as the external storage device 106 into the RAM 105 and executing them. Specifically, this flowchart is implemented by the execution of the communication application 200. In particular, this corresponds to processing by the display control unit 2020 and the print control unit 204.

[0063] In S901, the communication application 200 detects that a paper size has been specified on the output paper size selection screen 409 and determines whether the specified paper size is a user-defined paper size. If it is a user-defined paper size, the process proceeds to S902. If it is not a user-defined paper size, the process ends. Next, in S902, the communication application 200 disables functions that cannot be used with user-defined paper size. In this embodiment, the cloud conversion function, which converts image data into an image in the cloud, is disabled. The cloud conversion function is, for example, a function in which the communication application 200 sends a file to the cloud, obtains the converted preview image in the cloud, and displays it. In addition, the communication application 200 also has a function in which it sends a file to the cloud and sends the converted image data in the cloud to a printer. These cloud conversion functions are assumed to be unavailable with user-defined paper settings. Next, in S903, the communication application 200 changes the display of the preview image, such as that shown in 401 in FIG. 4, to display an icon for when a preview cannot be created. This is because the cloud conversion function was unavailable in S902 and a preview image could not be obtained.

[0064] 10a and 10b show examples of the print preview screen display of a communication application. Preview 1001 on print preview screen 1000 is an area that displays a preview of the image to be printed, like print preview 401. Depending on the image or file to be printed, it may not be possible to display the preview image. In such cases, a button is displayed, like preview 1001, for obtaining a preview using a cloud conversion function. When this button is pressed, communication application 200 can communicate with the cloud and obtain the preview image.

[0065] However, if the print settings are for a user-defined paper size, the cloud conversion function cannot be used and a preview image cannot be obtained. Therefore, the communication application 200 displays a preview 1002 through the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 9. The preview 1002 is an example in which the display is changed in step S903 to display an icon for use when a preview cannot be created. The preview 1002 does not include the button for obtaining a preview included in the preview 1001. A message may be displayed indicating that the cloud conversion function cannot be used because a user-defined paper size is set. Furthermore, even if a preview image can be displayed without using the cloud conversion function, that is, even if a print file that can display a print preview image without using the cloud conversion function is selected, the preview image may be hidden if a user-defined paper size is set in the print settings.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to properly let the user know which functions cannot be used by using the user-defined paper.

[0067] (Third embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the change of print settings for correctly printing user-defined paper was described. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the contents of a print job are changed based on the print method when user-defined paper is set.

[0068] 11a and 11b show examples of the printer details screen of the communication application 200. Reference numeral 1100 denotes the printer details screen, which displays information about target printers to which printing instructions can be sent using the communication application 200. The user can view an icon indicating the printer's status, the printer's name, its IP address, and other information. A link to a manual may also be provided. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a printer settings button, which allows the user to change the printer's settings. Reference numeral 1102 in FIG. 11b denotes a print options screen, which is displayed by pressing the printer settings button 1101. The print options screen 1102 allows the user to select the printer's printing method. In this embodiment, the PDF direct printing method refers to a method of directly sending a PDF file to the printer for printing, and the image printing method refers to a method of sending an image rendered by the communication application 200 for printing. Since PDF direct printing is checked in 1102, printing will be performed using the PDF direct printing method. Unchecking this option switches to the image printing method.

[0069] 12 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the communication application 200 in this embodiment when changing the content of a print job depending on whether or not a print method and user-defined paper type are set. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 103 reading various programs stored in a memory such as the external storage device 106 into the RAM 105 and executing them. Specifically, this flowchart is implemented by the execution of the communication application 200. In particular, this corresponds to processing by the display control unit 2020 and the print control unit 204.

[0070] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which there are two types of printing methods: PDF direct printing and image printing. This flowchart starts when, for example, the user selects a print file and then sets the paper size.

[0071] In S1201, the communication application 200 determines whether the print file specified by the user is a PDF file and the paper size is a user-defined size. The PDF direct printing method can only be used with PDF files. If the file is a PDF file and the paper size is a user-defined size, the process proceeds to S1202. If not, the process ends because it is the same as the conventional process.

[0072] Next, in S1202, the communication application 200 determines whether the application is set to the PDF direct printing method. This is determined based on the settings made by the user on the print option screen 1102 in Fig. 11b. If it is set to the PDF direct printing method, the process proceeds to S1203. If it is not set to the PDF direct printing method, the process proceeds to S1204. If it is not set to the PDF direct printing method, the process is set to the image printing method.

[0073] In S1203, the communications application 200 specifies Auto as the paper size in the print command. The PDF direct print method sends the PDF file to be printed and the print setting command for printing to the printer together. At this time, if a user-defined paper size is set, there is no need to specify the paper size; Auto can be specified so that the printer automatically determines the paper size to use for printing. Then, the flow proceeds to S1208, where the print job is sent to the printer using the PDF direct print method, and the flow ends.

[0074] If the image printing method is selected instead of the PDF direct printing method in S1202, the communication application 200 analyzes the PDF file and acquires the width and height dimensions in S1204. The PDF file may be analyzed using a library provided in the OS or a PDF analysis library.

[0075] Next, in S1209, the communication application 200 determines whether the width and height obtained in S1204 are within the printable values ​​for the user-defined paper. A printer cannot print if the size of the user-defined paper is too small or too long. For this reason, there is a printable value that serves as a limit. These printable values ​​differ strictly depending on the printer, but they are usually similar values. In this embodiment, the communication application 200 stores these values ​​as defined values ​​and compares them with these values, but it is also possible to obtain them from the printer being used. If the obtained width and height are within the printable values ​​for the user-defined paper, the process proceeds to S1205. If they exceed the allowable values, printing cannot be instructed, and the flow ends. At this time, the user may be notified of the error and the reason for the error.

[0076] Next, in S1205, the communications application 200 acquires the print image quality. The print image quality (resolution) is a value defined by the communications application 200. It may be one of several values, such as high-quality 600 dpi, normal-quality 300 dpi, and low-quality 96 dpi, or it may be a value specified by the user. Next, in S1206, the communications application 200 renders the print image using the width and height in S1204 and the image quality acquired in S1205. Generally, the print size is calculated as follows: (pixels) of the print image ÷ (resolution) × 25.4 = (print size). This can be calculated by working backwards from the width and height acquired in S1204. In this embodiment, the PDF is printed at full size, but a scaling factor may also be considered for enlargement or reduction. Next, in S1207, the communications application 200 specifies the calculated pixel size in a PDL command. PDL is a page description language that can be interpreted by a printer. The flow then proceeds to S1208, where the communications application 200 sends the job to the printer using image printing, and the flow ends.

[0077] In this way, the content of the print job when generating a print job for user-defined paper differs depending on whether the communication application 200 uses the PDF direct print method or the image printing method.

[0078] 13a and 13b show examples of print settings display for a communication application. An output paper size selection screen 1300 displays selectable paper sizes. Paper size options 1301 display and allow selection of user-defined paper sizes in addition to standard paper sizes. One of the features of this embodiment is the presence of a user-defined paper details button 1302. Pressing this user-defined paper details button 1302 displays detailed paper size 1303, which displays the print size and resolution obtained in the flow of FIG. 12. Displaying detailed paper size 1303 allows the user to see the size of the user-defined paper, and therefore to check that it matches the size of the paper to be loaded in the printer. The image size and resolution may be displayed in 1304, and the print size in 1305, allowing the user to change the size.

[0079] This embodiment makes it possible to appropriately generate and transmit a print job for a user-specified paper sheet whether using the PDF direct print method or the image printing method.

[0080] (Other Examples) The above-described first to third embodiments may be configured as a combination of one or more of them. The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the programs. In this case, the computer programs and the storage media storing the computer programs constitute the present invention.

[0081] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0082] (Configuration 1) A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, The control method includes: a receiving step of receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size for print settings; a changing step of changing the paper feed unit setting of the print settings to manual feed when a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step; a transmission step of controlling transmission of a print job based on the print settings to an image processing device.

[0083] (Configuration 2) The program according to configuration 1, wherein the changing step changes the double-sided / single-sided setting to single-sided when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

[0084] (Configuration 3) 3. The program according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the changing step changes the page layout setting to 1 in 1 when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

[0085] (Configuration 4) 4. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the changing step changes the staple setting to no staples when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

[0086] (Configuration 5) 5. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the setting of the paper feed unit changed in the changing step is controlled so that it cannot be changed by a user.

[0087] (Configuration 6) The program according to configuration 5, wherein the control includes graying out the setting items for the paper feed unit to prevent the user from changing them.

[0088] (Configuration 7) 7. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the non-standard size is a size set by a user.

[0089] (Configuration 8) 8. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, further comprising a display control step of displaying a paper size setting screen including an item indicating a standard size and an item indicating a non-standard size as paper sizes for print settings.

[0090] (Configuration 9) 9. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the non-standard size is a size set by a user.

[0091] (Configuration 10) 10. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein if a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step, a print preview image is not displayed.

[0092] (Configuration 11) 11. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein if a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step, a display item for requesting image conversion from the cloud is not displayed.

[0093] (Configuration 12) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the sending step supports a method of sending the PDF file directly to the printer and a method of sending rendered data, and if a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step, the program changes the content of the print job to be sent.

[0094] (Configuration 13) 13. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, further comprising a second display control step of displaying the image size and print size of the file to be printed.

[0095] (Method 1) A control method executed by an information processing device, a receiving step of receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size for print settings; a changing step of changing the paper feed unit setting of the print settings to manual feed when a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step; a transmission step of controlling transmission of a print job based on the print settings to the image processing device.

[0096] (device 1) An information processing device, a receiving means for receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size in the print settings; a change means for changing the paper feed setting of the print setting to manual feed when the reception means receives a non-standard size setting; and a transmission unit that controls transmission of a print job based on the print settings to the image processing device.

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, The control method includes: a receiving step of receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size for print settings; a changing step of changing the paper feed unit setting of the print settings to manual feed when a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step; a transmission step of controlling transmission of a print job based on the print settings to an image processing device.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the changing step changes the double-sided / single-sided setting to single-sided when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the changing step changes the layout setting to 1 in 1 when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the changing step changes the staple setting to no staples when a non-standard size setting is received in the receiving step.

5. 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising controlling the setting of the paper feed unit changed in the changing step so that the setting cannot be changed by a user.

6. 6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the control includes controlling the setting items of the paper feed unit by graying them out so that the user cannot change them.

7. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the non-standard size is a size set by a user.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a display control step of displaying a paper size setting screen including an item indicating a standard size and an item indicating a non-standard size as paper sizes for print settings.

9. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the non-standard size is a size set by a user.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein if a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step, a print preview image is not displayed.

11. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein when a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step, a display item for requesting image conversion from the cloud is not displayed.

12. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission process supports a method of sending a PDF file directly to a printer and a method of sending rendered data, and if a non-standard size setting is received in the reception process, the content of the print job to be sent is changed.

13. 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a second display control step of displaying the image size and print size of the file to be printed.

14. A control method executed by an information processing device, a receiving step of receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size for print settings; a changing step of changing the paper feed unit setting of the print settings to manual feed when a non-standard size setting is accepted in the accepting step; a transmission step of controlling transmission of a print job based on the print settings to the image processing device.

15. An information processing device, a receiving means for receiving a non-standard size setting as a paper size in the print settings; a change means for changing the paper feed setting of the print setting to manual feed when the reception means receives a non-standard size setting; and a transmission unit that controls transmission of a print job based on the print settings to the image processing device.

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