Storage medium, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a mechanism capable of preventing a user from forgetting to set a mode for enhancing security related to printing.SOLUTION: Each of the host terminals 101 includes a display reception inputting unit 456 and a OS553 having the WPP. The OS553 determines whether WPP is disabled. When it is determined that the WPP is invalid, the OS553 displays a guidance message for prompting the validation of the WPP on the display reception input device 456.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A technology is known in which a host terminal such as a PC uses a printer driver installed as control software for the printing device to instruct a printing device connected to the host terminal to execute a print process. An operating system (OS), which is the basic software, is installed on the host terminal, and the printer driver is configured according to the specifications defined by the OS and runs when called by the OS. By providing a printer driver that conforms to the OS specifications, manufacturers that provide printing devices can provide a means for instructing the printing device to execute a print process using the OS.

[0003] Meanwhile, development of an OS for Windows (registered trademark) that will have a mode (Windows Protected Print Mode (hereinafter referred to as "WPP") to enhance security regarding printing is under consideration. When WPP is enabled, the host terminal will no longer be able to use printer drivers provided by printing device manufacturers, and will instead use general-purpose printing software that is pre-installed in the OS to instruct printing devices connected to the host terminal to execute print processing. General-purpose printing software is a general-purpose class driver that can be used with printing devices from multiple manufacturers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By using such WPP, security regarding printing can be enhanced, while the host terminal will be able to instruct printing devices, regardless of the manufacturer's printing device, to execute print processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-87062 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration in which the user configures the WPP settings described above, there is a concern that the user may forget to configure the settings, making it impossible to enhance security regarding printing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can prevent forgetting to set a mode that enhances security regarding printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the program of the present invention is a program installed on an information processing device having an OS with a mode for enhancing security regarding printing, and is characterized in that it causes the information processing device to execute a step of determining whether the mode is enabled or not, and a step of displaying a message on a display means of the information processing device prompting the user to enable the mode if it is determined that the mode is not enabled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent forgetting to set a mode that enhances security regarding printing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a host terminal as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the host terminal of FIG. 1. [Figure 5]2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the host terminal of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a control process executed by the host terminal of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance message screen displayed on the display reception input unit of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the control process executed by the host terminal of FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a diagram showing another example of a guidance message screen displayed on the display receiving / input unit of FIG. 4. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of each component of the device used in the embodiments, the device shape, etc. are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. 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] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of a host terminal 101 as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] 1, a host terminal 101 is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus 100. For example, the host terminal 101 transmits print job data, including information required to execute a print process, to the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with instructions received from a user. The host terminal 101 is also communicably connected to the Internet 106 and a management server 107 via a router-integrated ONU 105. Note that ONU stands for Optical Network Unit. For example, the host terminal 101 downloads an extended application (described later) from the management server 107 via the router-integrated ONU 105.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 performs printing operations using consumables. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 100 may be electrophotography, inkjet, stencil printing, or other methods. The router-integrated ONU 105 is a terminal device of the optical line and has the function of converting optical signals of the optical line into electrical digital signals and vice versa. In this embodiment, the router-integrated ONU 105 is connected to the Internet 106 via the optical line.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 in Fig. 1.

[0015] 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a touch panel 201, a document table 202, a paper feed port 203, and a print result discharge port 204. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a carriage 301, an ink tank 302, and a packaging material 303 therein, as shown in FIG.

[0016] A user can operate the touch panel 201 to control the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the touch panel 201 is an example of an operation means of the image forming apparatus 100, and the size, type, and the like of the touch panel are not limited to this as long as it is configured to be able to accept instructions from the user.

[0017] In the image forming apparatus 100, a sheet of paper placed on the platen 202 is scanned. The scanned image obtained by scanning is stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and is also transmitted to the management server 107. Examples of protocols used when transmitting scanned images include HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, SMTPS, FTP, and FTPS. For example, when SMTP or SMTPS is used, the scanned image is attached to an email and transmitted to the management server 107.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the host terminal 101 in Fig. 1. The host terminal 101 is a communication device that is connected to a network via the Internet 106 and is capable of communicating with the management server 107 and the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the host terminal 101 is assumed to be a PC, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like, and the configuration of the host terminal 101 will be described below using a PC as an example.

[0019] 4, the host terminal 101 includes a CPU 451, a ROM 452, a RAM 453, a communication control unit 454, an HDD 455, and a display reception input unit 456. These are connected to one another via a bus 458.

[0020] The CPU 451 controls the entire host terminal 101. The ROM 452 stores various programs. For example, the ROM 452 stores the OS 553 in FIG. 5 and a printer driver provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 100. The printer driver is configured according to specifications defined by the OS 553 and is called by the OS 553 to operate.

[0021] The RAM 453 is used as a working area for the CPU 451 and as a temporary storage area for various data. The communication control unit 454 controls the exchange of data with external devices via the Internet 106 and various interfaces. The HDD 455 is a non-volatile memory and stores various data necessary for maintaining the host terminal 101. The display reception input unit 456 receives instructions and the like from the user and displays various information.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the host terminal 101 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the host terminal 101 includes, as software, a UI control unit 551, a print control unit 552, and an OS 553. These are mainly stored in the ROM 452 or HDD 455, and the CPU 451 loads and executes programs for operating these units in the RAM 453, thereby realizing these processes.

[0023] The UI control unit 551 provides information to the user of the host terminal 101 via the display reception input unit 456. The UI control unit 551 also receives instructions from the user of the host terminal 101. The print control unit 552 issues instructions to the image forming apparatus 100 to print data created by various application programs, etc.

[0024] The OS 553 is stored in the ROM 452 and controls the overall operation of the host terminal 101. The OS 553 controls the exchange of information between the various pieces of software on the host terminal 101 and the execution of each piece of software. In this embodiment, as an example, the host terminal 101 is described as having the Windows OS provided by Microsoft (registered trademark) installed as the OS 553. The OS 553 includes general-purpose printing software such as an IPP class driver. The general-purpose printing software is a general-purpose program that can be used in common with image forming devices from multiple manufacturers, and is a general-purpose program that generates and outputs instructions that can be interpreted by image forming devices from multiple manufacturers.

[0025] The OS 553 also includes Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP), a mode for enhancing printing security. Enabling WPP prevents, for example, an attacker from using a symbolic link to trick the spooler into loading malicious code. Furthermore, if common tasks performed by the spooler process can be migrated to processes executed with user privileges, and if these processes have memory corruption vulnerabilities, the impact can be limited to actions that only the user can perform. When WPP is enabled, the host terminal 101 can no longer use a printer driver and instead uses general-purpose printing software pre-installed in the OS 553 to instruct the image forming device 100 connected to the host terminal 101 to execute a print process.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the control process executed by the host terminal 101 of Fig. 1. The control process of Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 451 executing a program for operating the OS 553, which is stored in the ROM 452 or the like.

[0027] 6, first, in S601, the OS 553 determines whether or not a print execution command from the printer driver has been detected. The print execution command includes the print job data itself. If it is determined that a print execution command from the printer driver has not been detected, the process returns to S601. If it is determined that a print execution command from the printer driver has been detected, the process proceeds to S602. If it is determined that a print execution command from the printer driver has been detected, the OS 553 analyzes information such as the number of pages to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, and the print area for this print process from the detected print execution command, and acquires this information.

[0028] In S602, the OS 553 determines whether the WPP is disabled. If it is determined that the WPP is not disabled but is enabled, this processing ends. If it is determined that the WPP is disabled, this processing proceeds to S603.

[0029] 7 on the display reception input unit 456. The guidance message screen includes a guidance message prompting the user to enable WPP. The guidance message screen also includes a "Standard OS Setup" button 701, a "Enable WPP" button 702, an OK button 703, and a Cancel button 704.

[0030] The "OS Standard Setup" button 701 is a button for instructing the execution of a setup process that associates the general-purpose printing software with the image forming device 100. When this setup process is completed, the host terminal 101 generates print job data using the general-purpose printing software and becomes able to send this print job data to the image forming device 100.

[0031] An "Enable WPP" button 702 is a button for issuing an instruction to enable WPP. An OK button 703 is a button for issuing an instruction to start processing to transmit print job data corresponding to the print execution command detected in S601 to the image forming apparatus 100. A cancel button 704 is a button for issuing an instruction to stop processing to transmit print job data corresponding to the print execution command detected in S601 to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0032] When it is detected that the user has pressed any button on the guidance message screen, the OS 553 determines in step S604 whether the pressed button is the cancel button 704. If it is determined that the pressed button is the cancel button 704, this processing ends.

[0033] If it is determined that the pressed button is not the cancel button 704, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, the OS 553 executes a process corresponding to the pressed button.

[0034] For example, if the pressed button is the "OS Standard Setup" button 701, the above-mentioned setup process is executed. If the pressed button is the "Enable WPP" button 702, the process of enabling WPP is executed. If the pressed button is the OK button 703, the above-mentioned setup process and the process of enabling WPP are executed, and then the print job data transmission process is executed. In the print job data transmission process, print job data is generated by the general-purpose printing software and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. When the process of S605 is completed, this process ends.

[0035] According to the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the WPP is disabled, a prompting message to enable the WPP is displayed on the display receiving input unit 456. This makes it possible to prevent forgetting to set up the WPP.

[0036] In the above-described embodiment, the prompt message is accompanied by an "Enable WPP" button 702. This allows the user, upon checking the prompt message, to issue an instruction to enable WPP without switching screens.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the "OS standard setup" button 701 is displayed together with the guidance message and the "WPP activation" button 702. This allows the user who has confirmed the guidance message to issue an instruction to activate WPP as well as an instruction to execute the setup process for the general-purpose printing software without switching screens. Furthermore, by providing the "WPP activation" button 702 and the "OS standard setup" button 701 on the guidance message screen, the user can easily recognize what changes have been made to the functions corresponding to these buttons.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the "OS Standard Setup" button 701 and the "WPP Activation" button 702 may be displayed as messages on the guidance message screen instead of the "OS Standard Setup" button 701 and the "WPP Activation" button 702. By using such a configuration, the user only needs to select either the OK button 703 or the Cancel button 704 to operate the guidance message screen, making the user's operation easier to understand.

[0039] Also, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined in S601 that a print execution command from the printer driver has been detected, this determination result may be processed as indicating that WPP is disabled, and the determination in S602 may be skipped.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the frequency with which guidance messages are displayed on the display receiving / input unit 456 may be controlled to be reduced.

[0041] As described above, when the WPP is enabled, the host terminal 101 is unable to use a printer driver and instead uses general-purpose printing software to instruct the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print process. However, the general-purpose printing software has limited functions available compared to the printer driver and supports only general print function settings (e.g., paper type and print orientation) among the multiple print functions available in the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the general-purpose printing software does not allow the user to configure manufacturer-specific print functions available in the image forming apparatus 100. There are a certain number of users who disable the WPP and use the host terminal 101 so that they can instruct the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print process using a printer driver that can configure not only general print functions but also manufacturer-specific print functions. For users who intentionally disable the WPP in this way, it can be annoying to have a prompt message displayed on the display reception input unit 456 every time they instruct the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print process from the host terminal 101.

[0042] In contrast, in this embodiment, if it is determined that WPP is invalid and the total number of prints instructed to the image forming apparatus 100 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a prompting message is displayed on the display reception input unit 456.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the control process executed by the host terminal 101 of Fig. 1. The control process of Fig. 8 is similar to the control process of Fig. 6 described above, and the following will particularly describe the differences from the control process of Fig. 6 described above. The control process of Fig. 8, like the control process of Fig. 6 described above, is also realized by the CPU 451 executing a program for operating the OS 553, which is stored in the ROM 452 or the like. In this embodiment, the host terminal 101 holds a total print count indicating the total number of print processes that the host terminal 101 has instructed the image forming apparatus 100 to execute.

[0044] 8, S801 and S802 are performed, which are the same processes as S601 and S602 described above. If it is determined that the WPP is valid and not invalid, this process ends. If it is determined that the WPP is invalid, this process proceeds to S803.

[0045] In S803, the OS 553 determines whether the total number of prints is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The first threshold may be a value set by the user, or may be a predetermined fixed value. In a configuration in which the first threshold can be set by the user, the user can change the first threshold at any time.

[0046] If it is determined that the total number of prints is less than the first threshold, the process proceeds to S805, which is the same process as S604 described above. If it is determined that the total number of prints is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to S804, which is the same process as S603 described above, and a prompt message screen is displayed on the display reception input unit 456. For example, if the first threshold is "0," when WPP is disabled and the first print execution command is detected, the prompt message screen is displayed on the display reception input unit 456. Also, if the first threshold is "10," the prompt message screen is not displayed on the display reception input unit 456 until the total number of prints reaches 10, even if WPP is disabled.

[0047] Upon completion of S804, this process proceeds to S805. If it is determined that the pressed button is the Cancel button 704, this process ends. If it is determined that the pressed button is not the Cancel button 704, this process proceeds to S806. In S806, the OS 553 executes processing corresponding to the pressed button. Note that if the pressed button is the "OS Standard Setup" button 701 or the "WPP Activation" button 702, processing similar to the processing described above in S605 is executed. Furthermore, if the pressed button is the OK button 703, the above setup processing and WPP activation processing are executed, followed by the above print job data transmission processing, and then processing to increment the total number of prints. Thereafter, this process ends.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that WPP is disabled and the total number of prints indicating the total number of print processes that the host terminal 101 has instructed the image forming apparatus 100 to execute is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a prompting message is displayed on the display receiving input unit 456. This reduces the frequency with which prompting messages are displayed on the display receiving input unit 456, thereby reducing the annoyance felt by a user who intentionally disables WPP and uses the host terminal 101.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the total print count is used to reduce the frequency at which prompting messages are displayed on the display reception input unit 456. However, this is not a limitation. For example, the total print area based on the print process instructed to be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 may be used. For example, the host terminal 101 stores the total print area and determines whether the total print area is equal to or greater than a second threshold in S803. If it is determined that the total print area is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S804. If it is determined that the total print area is less than the second threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S805. Furthermore, if the pressed button is the OK button 703, in S806, instead of incrementing the total print count, a process is executed to add the print area determined based on the transmitted print job data to the previously stored total print area. This control can also reduce the frequency at which prompting messages are displayed on the display reception input unit 456.

[0050] Furthermore, the total number of pages to be printed based on the print process instructed to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 may be used to reduce the frequency with which the prompt message is displayed on the display reception input unit 456. For example, the host terminal 101 stores the total number of pages to be printed and determines whether the total number of pages to be printed is equal to or greater than a third threshold in S803. If it is determined that the total number of pages to be printed is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S804. If it is determined that the total number of pages to be printed is less than the third threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S805. Furthermore, if the pressed button is the OK button 703, in S806, instead of incrementing the total number of prints, a process of adding the number of pages to be printed determined based on the transmitted print job data to the total number of pages to be printed that was previously stored is executed. This control can also reduce the frequency with which the prompt message is displayed on the display reception input unit 456.

[0051] Furthermore, the total number of copies to be printed based on the print process instructed to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 may be used to reduce the frequency with which the prompt message is displayed on the display reception input unit 456. For example, the host terminal 101 stores the total number of copies to be printed and determines in step S803 whether the total number of copies to be printed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold. If it is determined that the total number of copies to be printed is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to step S804. If it is determined that the total number of copies to be printed is less than the fourth threshold, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to step S805. Furthermore, if the pressed button is the OK button 703, in step S806, instead of incrementing the total number of prints, a process is executed to add the number of copies to be printed determined based on the transmitted print job data to the total number of copies to be printed that was previously stored. This control can also reduce the frequency with which the prompt message is displayed on the display reception input unit 456. The second, third, and fourth thresholds may be set by the user, as with the first threshold, or may be predetermined fixed values. In a configuration in which these thresholds can be set by the user, the user may be able to change these thresholds at any time.

[0052] Furthermore, the period during which the WPP is disabled (hereinafter referred to as the "WPP disabled period") may be used to control the display of prompting messages on the display receiving input unit 456 to be less frequent. For example, the host terminal 101 holds the WPP disabled period, and determines in S803 whether the WPP disabled period is equal to or greater than a predetermined period. If it is determined that the WPP disabled period is equal to or greater than the predetermined period, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S804. If it is determined that the WPP disabled period is less than the predetermined period, the control process of FIG. 8 proceeds to S805. Furthermore, if the pressed button is the OK button 703, in S806, a process of updating the previously held WPP disabled period is executed, rather than a process of incrementing the total number of prints. This control can also reduce the frequency at which prompting messages are displayed on the display receiving input unit 456.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the OS 553 executes the control processes shown in Figures 6 and 8, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a printer driver installed in the host terminal 101 may execute the control processes shown in Figures 6 and 8. Even in such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the prompt message screen may be configured to allow instructions to execute setup processes for the general-purpose printing software and the extension application. The extension application is software that supports the general-purpose printing software, such as a Print Support Application (PSA) provided by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 100. As described above, the general-purpose printing software supports only general printing function settings (e.g., paper type and print orientation) among the multiple printing functions available on the image forming apparatus 100. In contrast, by using the extension application, the user can configure manufacturer-specific printing functions available on the image forming apparatus 100 in addition to the general printing function settings. Note that the extension application is software that is not pre-installed in the OS 553. Therefore, the user must operate the host terminal 101 to download and install the extension application from the management server 107 via the Internet 106. Alternatively, the extension application may be automatically installed upon connection of the image forming apparatus 100 to the host terminal 101.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a guidance message screen displayed in the display reception input unit 456 of Fig. 4. The guidance message screen of Fig. 9 is displayed in the display reception input unit 456 by the OS 553 or the printer driver, similar to the guidance message screen of Fig. 7 described above. Furthermore, unlike the guidance message screen of Fig. 7 described above, the guidance message screen of Fig. 9 includes an "OS standard + PSA setup" button 901.

[0056] The "OS standard + PSA setup" button 901 is a button for instructing the execution of a setup process for associating general-purpose printing software and an extension application with the image forming apparatus 100. When the "OS standard + PSA setup" button 901 is selected, the OS 553 causes the display reception input unit 456 to display an installation screen for the extension application. This allows the extension application required to set up a manufacturer-specific printing function of the image forming apparatus 100 to be installed in the host terminal 101. Note that when the "OS standard + PSA setup" button 901 is selected, the extension application may be automatically installed without displaying the installation screen for the extension application in the display reception input unit 456.

[0057] When the above setup process is complete, the host terminal 101 can generate print job data using the general-purpose printing software and the extension application, and send this print job data to the image forming apparatus 100. With this configuration, the user can use not only the general functions of the image forming apparatus 100 supported by the general-purpose printing software, but also functions supported by the extension application that are unique to the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0058] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0059] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A program installed on an information processing device having an OS with a mode for enhancing security regarding printing, characterized in that the program causes the information processing device to execute a step of determining whether the mode is disabled or not, and a step of displaying a message on a display means of the information processing device prompting the user to enable the mode if the mode is determined to be disabled. (Configuration 2) The program according to configuration 1, wherein the program is a program for operating the OS. (Configuration 3) The program according to configuration 1, wherein the program is a program for operating a printer driver provided by a manufacturer of an image forming device connected to the information processing device. (Configuration 4) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that in the displaying step, an instruction means for instructing to enable the mode is displayed on the display means of the information processing device together with the message. (Configuration 5) The program according to Configuration 4, characterized in that in the displaying step, together with the message and the instruction means, other instruction means for instructing the execution of a setup process for a general-purpose program that is pre-included in the OS and can be commonly used for printers of multiple manufacturers, are displayed on the display means of the information processing device. (Configuration 6) In the displaying step, together with the message and the instruction means, other instruction means for instructing the execution of setup processing for both a general-purpose program that is pre-included in the OS and can be used commonly for printers of multiple manufacturers, and a program that supports the general-purpose program, are displayed on the display means of the information processing device, and when the other instruction means is selected, the program described in Configuration 4 is further caused to execute a step of displaying a screen for installing a program that supports the general-purpose program. (Configuration 7) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of prints indicating the total number of print processes instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the message is displayed on a display means of the information processing device. (Configuration 8) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total printing area based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the message is displayed on a display means of the information processing device. (Configuration 9) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of printed pages based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, the message is displayed on a display means of the information processing device. (Configuration 10) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of copies to be printed based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, the message is displayed on a display means of the information processing device. (Configuration 11) A program described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the period during which the mode is invalid is longer than a predetermined period, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 100 Image forming device 101 Host Terminal 451 CPU 456 Display reception input section 553 OS 701 "OS Standard Setup" button 702 "Enable WPP" button 901 "OS Standard + PSA Setup" button

Claims

1. A program installed in an information processing device having an OS with a mode for enhancing security regarding printing, The information processing device includes: determining whether the mode is disabled; and when it is determined that the mode is invalid, displaying a message on a display means of the information processing device to prompt the user to enable the mode.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for running the OS.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for operating a printer driver provided by a manufacturer of an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the displaying step, an instruction means for instructing to enable the mode is displayed on the display means of the information processing device together with the message.

5. The program according to claim 4, characterized in that in the displaying step, together with the message and the instruction means, another instruction means for instructing the execution of a setup process for a general-purpose program that is pre-included in the OS and can be used commonly for printers of multiple manufacturers is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

6. In the displaying step, together with the message and the instruction means, other instruction means for instructing execution of setup processes for both a general-purpose program that is pre-included in the OS and can be commonly used for printers of a plurality of manufacturers, and a program that supports the general-purpose program, are displayed on the display means of the information processing device, 5. The program according to claim 4, further causing the information processing device to execute a step of displaying a screen for installing a program that supports the general-purpose program in response to the selection of the other instruction means.

7. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of print processes indicating the total number of print processes instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

8. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total printing area based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

9. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of printed pages based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

10. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that in the display process, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the total number of copies to be printed based on the printing process instructed to be executed by the information processing device to an image forming device connected to the information processing device is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

11. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the displaying step, if it is determined that the mode is invalid and the period during which the mode is invalid is longer than a predetermined period, the message is displayed on the display means of the information processing device.

12. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus having an OS with a mode for enhancing security regarding printing, comprising: determining whether the mode is disabled; and when it is determined that the mode is invalid, displaying a message on a display means of the information processing device to prompt the user to enable the mode.

13. An information processing apparatus having an OS with a mode for enhancing security regarding printing, means for determining whether the mode is invalid; and means for displaying a message prompting the user to enable the mode when the mode is determined to be invalid.

Images