Program, information processing device, recording medium, and information processing method

Abstract

To improve the usability when configuring print settings. [Solution] The program causes the computer to function as a notification means for notifying application software, which is capable of receiving instructions to print displayed content, of information on multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in a first setting item related to printing; an acquisition means for acquiring a print instruction from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item; and a control means that, when the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to a setting corresponding to the specific candidate, controls the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, to print with the setting value corresponding to the specific candidate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to print control for transmitting print data.

Background Art

[0002] A method of saving print settings selected by a user is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes saving a combination of paper size and paper type selected by a user and displaying the saved combination of paper size and paper type on a paper selection screen so that the user can select it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Improvement in usability when making print settings is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The program of this disclosure is characterized in that a computer functions as a notification means for notifying application software, which is capable of receiving instructions to print displayed content, of a plurality of candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in a first setting item related to printing; an acquisition means for acquiring a print instruction from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item; and a control means that, when the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, controls printing to be performed with the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the usability when setting print settings can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing an example of a printing system configuration. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example of a PC's functional configuration. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of a print instruction screen provided by an application. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a print settings screen provided by the printer driver. [Figure 5] A flowchart for the print settings process. [Figure 6] Flowchart for driver capability information generation process. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a custom settings list. [Figure 8] Flowchart for saving custom settings. [Figure 9] An example of a custom settings save screen is shown in the diagram. [Figure 10] Flowchart for the process of generating custom setting names. [Figure 11] Flowchart for print instruction processing. [Figure 12] Flowchart of printing process. [Figure 13] Diagram showing an example of print setting information. [Figure 14] Diagram showing an example of custom setting edit screen. [Figure 15] Diagram showing an example of print setting screen provided by printer driver. [Figure 16] Flowchart of print setting process. [Figure 17] Flowchart of favorite setting save process. [Figure 18] Diagram showing an example of favorite save screen. [Figure 19] Diagram showing an example of custom setting list. [Figure 20] Flowchart of printing process.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure will be described. The following embodiments do not limit the technology of the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are essential for the solution means of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> When a user makes print settings, the print settings are made via the print setting screen provided by the application or the print setting screen provided by the printer driver that is displayed when the application is launched.

[0011] It is conceivable to save the printing settings selected by the user in the printing settings screen provided by the application as custom settings. However, the settings made in the application cannot be shared with other applications. Therefore, since the printing settings screen provided by the printer driver can be launched from any application, if the printing settings are saved as custom settings from the printing settings screen provided by the printer driver, the custom settings can be selected from any application. However, in this case, in order for the user to select the custom settings, the user has to launch the printing settings screen of the printer driver from the application every time, which is troublesome for the user.

[0012] The purpose of this embodiment is to enable the user to instruct printing with the pre-saved custom settings without launching the printing settings screen of the printer driver. For this reason, in this embodiment, a method will be described that allows the user to select the pre-saved custom settings from the printing settings screen displayed when a print instruction is issued from the application.

[0013] [Configuration Example of Printing System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system which is an information processing system of this embodiment. The printing system includes a printer 102 and a PC 101 which is an information processing apparatus connected to the printer 102.

[0014] The PC 101 has a CPU 103 which is a central processing unit, a RAM 104 which is a storage unit, an input unit 105, a display unit 106, and an auxiliary storage unit 107. Each unit included in the PC 101 is connected by an internal bus line IB.

[0015] The display unit 106 is a CRT or LCD, and displays screens provided by applications, print settings screens provided by printer drivers, etc. The input unit 105 consists of a mouse and keyboard, and accepts various inputs made by the user to the screen displayed on the display unit 106. The CPU 103 operates as a display control unit that controls the display of the screen by the display unit 106, and as an operation control unit that controls the input unit 105.

[0016] The auxiliary storage unit 107 is a ROM, hard disk, SSD, etc. The auxiliary storage unit 107 stores the application software 201 (hereinafter referred to as application 201) program suite and the operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS). Furthermore, the auxiliary storage unit 107 stores the printer driver software 210 (hereinafter referred to as printer driver 210) and various other data. The internal bus line IB of the PC 101 is connected to the printer 102 by the external bus line BL, and the PC 101 can register jobs with the printer 102.

[0017] [Printer driver functionality configuration] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a printer driver 210 that corresponds to printer 102 and is installed on PC 101. The printer driver 210 in this embodiment includes a user interface module 211, a page configuration module 212, a command generation module 213, a command transmission / reception module 214, and a status information display module 215.

[0018] When the user interface module 211 receives an instruction from the application 201 to display the print settings screen, it displays the print settings screen on the display unit 106 and provides a means for the user to check and change the print settings.

[0019] When a user initiates printing from the print settings screen (described later), the user interface module 211 returns print settings information, which indicates the settings configured via the print settings screen, to the application 201 via the OS's print support function 202. The print settings information indicates the setting value for each print-related setting item. For example, the setting value "A4" for the "Paper Size" setting item is included in the print settings information.

[0020] Application 201 adds the print settings information returned from the user interface module 211 to the print data. The print data created by Application 201 is temporarily stored in the print queue of the spooler 203 as spool data via the OS print support function 202. The spool data is managed by the spooler 203 as a print job with a name and other information added to it. When the user interface module 211 receives a notification of the start of printing from the OS print support function 202, it activates the status information display module 215.

[0021] The print job is configured to be converted into a print command that the printer 102 can interpret by the printer driver 210, and then supplied to the printer 102 for printing. Specifically, the print job passed to the printer driver 210 is first processed by the page configuration module 212. The page configuration module 212 performs page configuration processing on the print job, such as rearranging the pages of the print job or combining multiple pages into a single page, according to the print settings information.

[0022] Next, the print job is processed by the command generation module 213. The command generation module 213 converts the print data contained in the print job into print commands that the printer 102 can interpret, according to the print settings information.

[0023] The print command is sent sequentially to the printer 102 by the command transmission / reception module 214. Furthermore, the command transmission / reception module 214 reads information about the printer 102's status, such as whether an error has occurred in the printer 102 and information about the page currently being printed, and passes this information to the status information display module 215.

[0024] The status information display module 215 provides a means for the user to check the status of a print job or the status of the printer 102. Specifically, the status information display module 215 analyzes the status of the printer 102 and displays the information of the printer 102 on the display unit 106 as a status information display screen.

[0025] Each module of the printer driver 210 shown in Figure 2 is implemented when the CPU 103 reads the printer driver 210 program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104 and executes it.

[0026] In this embodiment, the user interface module 211 and status information display module 215 included in the printer driver 210 are described as performing the processing, but the printing functions on the PC 101 are not limited to this configuration. For example, the functions of the user interface module 211 and status information display module 215 may be included in the OS's print support function 202. In this case, the processing performed by the user interface module 211 and status information display module 215 as described above may be performed by the OS's print support function 202.

[0027] [About the print settings screen] Figure 3 shows an example of the print command screen 301, which is a print settings screen provided by application 201. The print command screen 301 is a screen that can receive print commands for the content displayed by application 201. When a user commands printing from application 201, application 201 first displays the print command screen 301 shown in Figure 3. The print command screen 301 of application 201 includes a printer combo box 302, a paper size combo box 304, and a paper type combo box 305. The printer combo box 302 is a combo box for selecting the printer to use. The paper size combo box 304 and the paper type combo box 305 are combo boxes that display suggested values ​​for print settings and allow the user to change the settings.

[0028] Print settings include vendor-specific settings provided by the OS (called Public settings) and vendor-specific settings (called Private settings). Typical Public settings include paper size, paper feed method, paper type, double-sided printing, and number of copies. The paper size combo box 304 and paper type combo box 305 are combo boxes corresponding to the Public settings. Note that not all Public settings can be selected from the print command screen 301. Depending on the application, some Public settings may not have a combo box for selecting the setting value displayed on the print command screen 301 provided by the application.

[0029] The print button 310 is a button that instructs the printer selected in the printer combo box 302 to print. The print instruction screen 301 of application 201 also includes a link 303 for displaying the print settings screen 401 of the printer driver 210 (see Figure 4).

[0030] Figure 4 shows an example of the print settings screen 401 provided by the printer driver 210, as displayed by the user interface module 211. The print settings screen 401 allows settings that cannot be configured on the print command screen 301 provided by the application 201.

[0031] [Regarding print settings processing] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the print settings process of the printer driver 210. The print settings process begins when an instruction to display the print settings screen is passed from the OS of PC 101 or the application 201 of PC 101 to the user interface module 211 via the OS's print support function 202. Specifically, the flowchart in Figure 5 begins when the user clicks the link 303 that instructs the display of the print settings screen 401 on the print instruction screen 301 of application 201.

[0032] The flowchart in Figure 5 represents the processing performed by the printer driver 210. Specifically, the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 5 is performed by loading the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104, and then executing it on the CPU 103. The symbol "S" in the description of each process indicates a step in that flowchart, and the same applies to subsequent flowcharts.

[0033] In S501, the CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver 210, obtains print setting information passed from the OS's print support function 202. The CPU 103 stores the obtained print setting information in the auxiliary storage unit 107. The obtained print setting information indicates the default values ​​of the print settings or the contents of the print settings changed on the print instruction screen 301 of application 201 in Figure 3.

[0034] In S502, CPU103 generates driver capability information for each print setting item.

[0035] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for generating driver capability information. The flowchart in Figure 6 is performed as a process of the printer driver 210. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 6 is performed by loading the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104, and then executing it on the CPU 103.

[0036] S601 to S608 is a loop process. In S601, the CPU 103 selects a setting item to be processed from the unselected setting items. Then the CPU 103 executes the processes in S602 to S607 for the setting item to be processed. In S608, if the CPU 103 determines that there is a setting item that has not been selected as a processing target (S608 is NO), it returns to S601, selects a new setting item to be processed from the unselected setting items, and repeats the processes in S602 to S607. In this embodiment, the printing setting items are assumed to be "paper size," "paper type," and "paper feed method." Therefore, in S601, the processing target is selected from "paper size," "paper type," and "paper feed method."

[0037] In S602, the CPU 103 obtains printer capability information for the setting item to be processed. Printer capability information is a list of values ​​for the setting items that the printer 102 can use. For example, the printer 102 in this embodiment supports A4 and A5 paper sizes. If the setting item to be processed selected in S601 is "Paper Size", then in S602, the CPU 103 will obtain "A4" and "A5" as the printer capability information for paper size. For the printer 102 in this embodiment, the printer capability information for paper type is assumed to be "Plain Paper" and "Photo Paper". Furthermore, the printer capability information for paper feeding method is assumed to be "Automatic Selection", "Cassette 1", "Cassette 2", and "Rear Tray".

[0038] First, we will explain the flowchart in Figure 6 for the case where custom settings are not saved and the custom settings list 700 (see Figure 7) described later is not saved. If custom settings are not saved, in S603 the CPU 103 determines that all custom settings have been selected (S603 is YES), and proceeds to S607 without performing the processes in S604 to S606. Details of S604 to S606 will be described later after the explanation of the custom settings list 700.

[0039] In S607, CPU103 outputs driver capability information for the setting item to be processed, which is generated by adding the custom settings obtained as a result of the loop processing in S603-S606 to the printer capability information obtained in S602. The driver capability information is information about the candidate (A4, A5, etc.) that can be set as that setting item (for example, paper size).

[0040] If no custom settings are saved, the printer capability information obtained by S602 becomes the driver capability information. That is, if the setting item to be processed is "Paper Size", S607 will output "A4" and "A5" as driver capability information. If the setting item to be processed is "Paper Type", "Plain Paper" and "Photo Paper" will be output as driver capability information. If the setting item to be processed is "Paper Feed Method", "Automatic Selection", "Cassette 1", "Cassette 2", and "Rear Tray" will be output as driver capability information.

[0041] Then, proceeding to S608, if CPU103 determines that it has output driver capability information for all setting items (S608 is YES), it terminates the flowchart in Figure 6 and proceeds to S503 in Figure 5.

[0042] In S503, CPU103 obtains driver capability information for each setting item generated in S502 and displays the print settings screen 401 shown in Figure 4.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the printer driver 210's print settings screen 401 includes combo boxes 402 to 404 that display suggested values ​​for the print settings items "paper size," "paper type," and "paper feed method."

[0044] The CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, displays driver capability information generated by S502 in a dropdown list that appears when the user clicks combo boxes 402-404. For example, when the paper size combo box 402 is pressed, the driver capability information for paper sizes, "A4" and "A5," is added as items (suggested setting values) in the pulldown menu.

[0045] Similarly, the paper type combo box 403 is set to display the driver capability information for the paper type generated by S502. The paper feed method combo box 404 is set to display the driver capability information for the paper feed method generated by S502. Then, the print settings screen 401 is displayed with the print settings information passed from the OS print support function 202 selected.

[0046] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4(a), the paper feed method combo box 404 displays the default value, "Automatic Selection". Furthermore, the drop-down list 414 that appears when the paper feed method combo box 404 is pressed displays the driver capability information options: "Automatic Selection", "Cassette 1", "Cassette 2", and "Rear Tray".

[0047] In S504, CPU 103 determines whether the setting value of any setting item on the print settings screen 401 has been changed by the user. If CPU 103 determines that the setting value has been changed (S504 is YES), it proceeds to S505. In S505, CPU 103 changes the changed setting value from the print settings information obtained in S501 to the setting value selected by the user on the print settings screen 401. Then, CPU 103 returns to 504.

[0048] For example, suppose the user changes the paper feed method from "Automatic Selection" to "Rear Tray" in the paper feed method combo box 404 on the print settings screen 401 in Figure 4. In this case, at S504, the CPU 103 determines that the print setting value has been changed, and at S505, the CPU 103 changes the paper feed method setting value in the print settings information to "Rear Tray".

[0049] On the other hand, if CPU 103 determines that the setting value has not been changed (S504 is NO), it proceeds to S506. In S506, CPU 103 determines whether the OK button 405 on the print settings screen 401 has been pressed.

[0050] If CPU 103 determines that the OK button 405 has been pressed (S506 is YES), it proceeds to S507; otherwise (S506 is NO), it proceeds to S509. In S509, CPU 103 determines whether the Cancel button 406 on the print settings screen 401 has been pressed. If CPU 103 determines that the Cancel button 406 has been pressed (S509 is YES), it proceeds to S510; otherwise (S509 is NO), it proceeds to S512.

[0051] In S510, CPU103 restores the print settings information to what was obtained in S501 and proceeds to S511. In S512, CPU103 processes the user's actions and returns the process to S504.

[0052] Meanwhile, in S507, CPU 103 determines whether the print settings information obtained in S501 has been changed. If CPU 103 determines that the print settings information obtained in S501 has been changed (S507 is YES), it proceeds to S508; otherwise (S507 is NO), it proceeds to S511. In S508, CPU 103 executes a custom settings save process that presents and saves the custom settings.

[0053] [About custom settings] Figure 7 shows an example of a custom setting list for managing saved custom settings when custom settings are saved as a result of processing in S508. In this embodiment, a custom setting is a setting that saves the setting values ​​of two or more setting items (a first setting item and a second setting item) as a single custom setting. For example, the first setting item is a setting item that can be selected and set from among several options on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201. The second setting item is a setting item that cannot be set on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201. When a user selects a custom setting, the print setting information is automatically updated to the setting values ​​of two or more setting items corresponding to the selected custom setting.

[0054] The custom settings list 700 has a separate row for each custom setting. In each row, column 701 contains the name representing the custom setting, column 702 contains the setting item that displays the custom setting as a candidate, and column 703 contains the print settings saved as the custom setting. The print settings in column 703 are associated with setting items and the corresponding setting values ​​for each setting item.

[0055] The "settings to display" stored in column 702 indicate the setting items (first setting items) for which custom settings are displayed as options on the print command screen 301 and the print settings screen 401. For example, "Paper size" is stored in row 711 as a setting item for which custom settings are displayed. Therefore, when the printer driver 210 generates driver capability information, the driver capability information for paper size includes the custom setting "A4_rear tray" stored in row 711. As a result, when the user presses the paper size combo box 304 on the print command screen 301 or the paper size combo box 402 on the print settings screen 401, they can select the custom setting "A4_rear tray" from the list of setting value options that are displayed. In this way, since custom settings are displayed as one of the setting value options for the first setting item, custom settings are sometimes referred to as "specific options".

[0056] When a custom setting is selected, the print settings information is changed to the value held in "Print Settings" in custom setting list 700. For example, if the custom setting "A4_Rear Tray" is selected, "A4" is retrieved as the "Paper Size" setting value held in "Print Settings" on row 711 of custom setting list 700, and "Rear Tray" is retrieved as the "Paper Feed Method" setting value. Then, the print settings information is updated with the retrieved settings. Therefore, selecting one custom setting allows you to configure two or more settings items.

[0057] In this embodiment, if the print settings on the print settings screen 401 provided by the printer driver 210 are changed from the default, the system transitions to S508. In S508, the system automatically displays the custom settings based on the changed setting values ​​and prompts the user to save the displayed custom settings.

[0058] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the custom settings saving process performed in S508. The flowchart in Figure 8 is executed as a process of the printer driver 210. Specifically, the process according to the flowchart in Figure 8 is performed by loading the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104, and then executing it on the CPU 103.

[0059] In the S801, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, displays the custom settings save screen 901 (see Figure 9).

[0060] Figure 9 shows an example of the custom settings save screen 901. The custom settings save screen 901 includes a message 902, a save destination combo box 903, a print settings list box 904, a name edit box 905, and the like.

[0061] Message 902 is text that prompts the user to save the custom settings displayed on the custom settings save screen 901.

[0062] The Save Destination combo box 903 is a combo box for the user to select the setting item (first setting item) to display the custom settings when those custom settings are saved. In other words, the Save Destination combo box 903 is a combo box for selecting which setting item's driver capability information to add the custom settings displayed on the Custom Settings Save screen 901 to. The user can select the setting item to display the custom settings from the pull-down list that appears when the Save Destination combo box 903 is pressed.

[0063] When the save destination combo box 903 is pressed, a pull-down list appears displaying setting items that can be configured from the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201, which are among the public items that are the OS standard print settings. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can select a setting item (first setting item) from among the multiple setting items, such as "paper size" and "paper type," to display custom settings.

[0064] The print settings list box 904 is an area that displays a list of setting items and their settings to be saved as print settings in column 703 of the custom settings list 700. In this embodiment, if the setting value of a default setting item is changed in the print settings screen 401, the custom settings that will be printed with the changed setting value will be displayed on the custom settings save screen 901. The default value is assumed to be the factory default setting.

[0065] The print settings list box 904 displays both the setting item selected from the save destination combo box 903 (the first setting item) and its current setting value, and the setting items that can be set on the print settings screen 401 (the second setting item) and their current setting values. As mentioned above, the print settings screen 401 allows setting items that cannot be set on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201. Therefore, the setting items included in the print settings list box 904 (the second setting item) include, for example, setting items that cannot be set on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201.

[0066] The current setting is the setting that was selected when the user pressed the OK button 405 on the print settings screen 401. In the print settings list box 904, the light gray setting items represent the setting item selected in the save destination combo box 903.

[0067] The print settings list box 904 has checkboxes. The printer driver 210 saves only the settings items and their values ​​corresponding to the checked checkboxes in the print settings list box 904 to the print settings in column 703 of the custom settings list 700. The user may further customize the custom settings presented by the printer driver 210, or the print settings list box 904 may be displayed solely for the user to review the contents of the custom settings list 700.

[0068] The name edit box 905 is generated by the flowchart in Figure 10, which will be described later, and is the area that displays the text that will be stored as the name of the custom setting in column 701 of the custom setting list 700. Return to Figure 8 and continue the explanation of the flowchart.

[0069] In S802, CPU103 determines whether a setting item has been selected from the save destination combo box 903 on the custom setting save screen 901. If CPU103 determines that a setting item to be displayed in the custom setting has been selected (S802 is YES), it proceeds to S803; otherwise (S802 is NO), it proceeds to S804. In S803, CPU103 updates the displayed items in the print setting list box 904 and proceeds to S805.

[0070] Meanwhile, in S804, the CPU 103 determines whether the checkbox in the print settings list box 904 on the custom settings save screen 901 has been pressed and whether the settings have been changed. If the CPU 103 determines that the settings in the print settings list box 904 have been changed (S804 is YES), it proceeds to S805.

[0071] In the S805, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, performs the process of generating a name for the custom setting.

[0072] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a custom setting name. The process in this flowchart is executed as a process of the printer driver 210. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 10 is performed when the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 is loaded into the RAM 104 and executed by the CPU 103.

[0073] In S1001, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, generates a name string that can be used as a candidate for the custom setting name. The CPU 103 generates the name string by combining text that indicates the setting value corresponding to the setting item checked in the print settings list box 904. The name string is a string that starts with the string indicating the setting value of the setting item selected in the save destination combo box 903, followed by a delimiter and a string indicating the setting value to be saved, repeated for each setting item checked in the print settings list box 904. The delimiter is assumed to be "_".

[0074] In the case of the print settings list box 904 shown in Figure 9, "Paper Size" is selected in the save destination combo box 903, so the first string is the setting value for "Paper Size," which is "A4." The setting value for "Paper Feed Method," "Rear Tray," is concatenated after the first string, resulting in the name string "A4_Rear Tray."

[0075] In S1002, CPU103 determines whether the name string generated in S1001 is less than or equal to the maximum number of characters for the custom setting name. If CPU103 determines that the name string is less than or equal to the maximum number of characters (S1002 is YES), it determines the name string to be the string for "Name" in the custom setting and terminates the flowchart in Figure 10. Otherwise (S1002 is NO), it proceeds to S1003.

[0076] In S1003, CPU103 calculates the number of characters to be shortened. The number of characters to be shortened is the upper limit minus the number of characters in the name string determined in S1001.

[0077] The following steps S1004-S1007 are a loop process. In S1005, CPU103 selects a setting item to be processed from among the checked setting items in the print settings list box 904, excluding the setting item selected in the save destination combo box 903. Then, CPU103 executes the processes in S1006-S1007 for the selected setting item and returns to S1004. If it is determined in S1004 that there is a setting item that has not been selected as a target for processing (S1004 is NO), the process proceeds to S1005 again. In the next S1005, a new setting item to be processed is selected from the unselected setting items, and the processes in S1006-S1007 are repeated.

[0078] In S1006, CPU103 generates a shortened string by deleting the specified number of characters from the end of each string representing the setting value set for the setting item to be processed.

[0079] In S1007, CPU 103 determines whether the abbreviated string overlaps with other candidates for the setting item being processed. If CPU 103 determines that the abbreviated string overlaps with other candidates (S1007 is YES), it returns to S1004; otherwise (S1007 is NO), it proceeds to S1008. In S1008, CPU 103 determines the string obtained by replacing the string corresponding to the abbreviated string among the name strings generated in S1001 with the abbreviated string to be the name string for the custom setting, and terminates the flowchart in Figure 10.

[0080] For example, suppose the setting selected from the save destination combo box 903 is paper size. Also, suppose the paper size setting is "A4", the paper type setting is "photo paper", and the paper feed method setting is "cassette 1". In this case, the name string generated in S1001 will be "A4_photo paper_cassette 1". Also, assume that the number of characters to be abbreviated is 2. If the paper feed method is selected as the setting item to be processed in S1005, then in S1006, the abbreviated string will be "cassette", which is obtained by deleting 2 characters from the setting value of the setting item to be processed, "cassette 1". In S1007, it is determined whether the abbreviated string "cassette" overlaps with other candidate setting values ​​for the "paper feed method" setting item to be processed, such as "automatic selection", "cassette 2", and "rear tray". If the abbreviated string is "cassette", it is determined to be a overlap because it is part of "cassette 2". In the following S1005, if paper type is selected as the setting item to be processed, then in S1006, the abbreviated string is determined to be "photo," which is obtained by deleting two characters from the paper type setting value, "photo paper." In S1007, it is determined whether the abbreviated string "photo" overlaps with "plain paper," which is another candidate setting value for the "paper type" setting item to be processed. Since it is determined that the abbreviated string "photo" does not overlap with "plain paper" (S1007 is NO), the process proceeds to S1008. In S1008, the name string is updated to "A4_photo_cassette1" using the current abbreviated string "photo."

[0081] In this way, it is possible to automatically generate names that avoid becoming indistinguishable from other options when the last character is removed. Note that although the flowchart in Figure 10 explains the removal of a string by deleting it from the setting value of a single setting item, it is also possible to delete it evenly from the setting values ​​of multiple setting items.

[0082] On the other hand, if CPU 103 determines that there are no setting items that have not been selected for processing (S1004 is YES), it means that the name string could not be shortened. In this case as well, the flowchart in Figure 10 is terminated. When the flowchart in Figure 10 is terminated, processing proceeds to S806 in the flowchart in Figure 8.

[0083] In S806 of Figure 8, CPU 103 updates the displayed string in the name edit box 905 with the string generated in S805. Then CPU 103 proceeds to S807.

[0084] If S1004 is determined to be YES and the process proceeds to S806, the name edit box 905 in S806 will display the name string that exceeds the character limit. In this case, CPU 103 will prevent the user from saving the custom settings unless they shorten the string.

[0085] In S807, the CPU 103 determines whether the Yes button 906 on the custom settings save screen 901 has been pressed. If the CPU 103 determines that the Yes button 906 has been pressed (S807 is YES), it proceeds to S808; otherwise (S807 is NO), it proceeds to S811. In S802, the custom settings save screen 901 is displayed with no setting items selected in the save destination combo box 903. Therefore, even if no setting item is specified in the save destination combo box 903 for the custom settings to be displayed, the CPU 103 does not accept the press of the Yes button 906 and proceeds to S811.

[0086] In S811, the CPU 103 determines whether the No button 907 on the custom settings save screen 901 has been pressed. If the CPU 103 determines that the No button 907 on the custom settings save screen 901 has been pressed (S811 is YES), it terminates the custom settings save process without saving the custom settings; otherwise (S811 is NO), it proceeds to S812. In S812, the CPU 103 performs other processing and returns to S802.

[0087] Meanwhile, in S808, the CPU 103 determines whether the string displayed in the name edit box 905 exists as the name of a custom setting in the custom setting list 700 in Figure 7. If the CPU 103 determines that the string displayed in the name edit box 905 exists as the name of a custom setting (S808 is YES), it proceeds to S809; otherwise (S808 is NO), it proceeds to S810. In S809, the CPU 103 displays a message to the user indicating that a custom setting with the same name already exists, and returns to S802.

[0088] Meanwhile, in S810, CPU 103 saves the custom settings displayed on the custom settings save screen 901. Specifically, CPU 103 adds a row to the custom settings list 700 and stores the string displayed in the name edit box 905 as the name of the custom setting in column 701 of the added row. Column 702 stores the setting items displayed in the save destination combo box 903 as the setting items to display. Column 703 stores the setting items checked in the print settings list box 904 and their setting values ​​as print settings. Then CPU 103 finishes the custom settings save process, which is the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 8.

[0089] When CPU 103 finishes the custom settings save process, it closes the custom settings save screen 901 and proceeds to S511 in the flowchart of Figure 5. At S511 in Figure 5, CPU 103 closes the print settings screen 401 and finishes the print settings process for the printer driver 210.

[0090] [Select custom settings from the application's print command screen] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the print command processing by application 201. Specifically, the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 11 is performed by loading the program code of application 201 or the OS stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into RAM 104, and then executing it on CPU 103. In this embodiment, the print command processing is described as being performed by application 201, but it may also be performed by the OS's print support function 202.

[0091] When the CPU 103, which functions as application 201, detects a display instruction for the print instruction screen 301, it starts the flowchart shown in Figure 11.

[0092] In S1101, the CPU 103, which functions as application 201, obtains the driver capability information of the printer selected in the printer combo box 302 on the print instruction screen 301 in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the printer selected in the printer combo box 302 is assumed to be printer 102. Therefore, application 201 obtains the driver capability information from the user interface module 211 of the printer driver 210 of printer 102 via the OS print support function 202.

[0093] The CPU 103, which functions as the user interface module 211 of the printer driver 210, generates driver capability information and notifies the application 201 of the generated driver capability information. The method by which the user interface module 211 generates driver capability information is shown in Figure 6.

[0094] Here, using the flowchart in Figure 6, we will explain the driver capability information generation process that is executed as part of the printer driver 210's processing when custom settings are saved.

[0095] S601 to S608 is a loop process, and the CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver 210, executes the processes in S602 to S607 for the setting item to be processed. In S602, the CPU 103 obtains the printer capability information for the setting item to be processed.

[0096] If custom settings are saved, S603-S606 will be a loop process. In S604, CPU103 selects an unselected custom setting from the custom setting list 700 to be processed. Then, CPU103 executes the processes in S605-S606 for the selected custom setting and returns to S603. In S603, if CPU103 determines that there is an unselected custom setting in the custom setting list 700 (S603 is NO), it proceeds to S604. In the next S604, CPU103 selects a new custom setting to be processed from the unselected custom settings and repeats the processes in S605-S606.

[0097] In S605, CPU103 determines whether the setting item that displays the custom settings for the processing target is the setting item for the current processing target selected in S601. If CPU103 determines that the destination for displaying the custom settings for the processing target is the setting item for the current processing target (S605 is YES), it proceeds to S606; otherwise (S605 is NO), it returns to S603. In S606, CPU103 adds the custom settings for the current processing target to the driver capability information of the setting item for the current processing target, and returns to S603.

[0098] For example, suppose the setting item selected for processing in S601 is "Paper Size," and the custom setting for processing selected in S604 is the custom setting stored in row 711 of custom setting list 700 in Figure 7. In this case, as shown in Figure 7, the setting item that displays the custom setting for processing is "Paper Size." Therefore, in S605, CPU 103 determines YES, and in S606, CPU 103 adds "A4_Rear Tray," which is the custom setting for processing, to the driver capability information for "Paper Size." Then, it returns to S603.

[0099] In the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7, another custom setting is stored in row 712. Therefore, in S603, CPU 103 determines NO, and in the next step, S604, the custom setting stored in row 712 becomes the target of processing. In this case, the setting item that displays the custom setting to be processed is "Paper Type," so in S605, CPU 103 determines NO. Now that all custom settings are subject to processing, CPU 103 determines YES in S603 and proceeds to S607.

[0100] As a result, the custom setting "A4_rear tray" is added to the printer capability information for "A4" and "A5," and the driver capability information for the paper size is generated. The CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver in the S607, notifies the application 201 of the driver capability information for the paper size. In this way, the CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver 210, also functions as a notification unit that notifies the application 201 of the driver capability information.

[0101] Similarly, driver capability information for other settings is generated by the printer driver 210. The CPU 103, which operates as application 201 in S1101, obtains the driver capability information for each setting generated by the printer driver 210.

[0102] In S1102, the CPU 103, which functions as application 201, displays the print command screen 301 once it has obtained driver capability information for the setting items necessary to display the print command screen 301.

[0103] If the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7 is saved, the paper size driver capability information generated by the printer driver 210 will be "A4", "A5", and "A4_Rear Tray", as described above. The CPU 103, functioning as application 201, adds the paper size driver capability information, "A4", "A5", and "A4_Rear Tray", to the pull-down menu options (candidate setting values) in the paper size combo box 304 on the print instruction screen 301. The CPU 103, also functioning as application 201, displays the paper size setting from the print setting information passed from the OS print support function 202 in the selected state. The paper type combo box 305 on the print instruction screen 301 is set similarly. As a result, as shown in Figure 3(b), the user can select the custom setting "A4_Rear Tray" from the paper size combo box 304 on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201.

[0104] In S1103, the CPU 103 determines whether the setting value of the setting item on the print instruction screen 301 has been changed. If the CPU 103 determines that the setting value has been changed (S1103 is YES), it proceeds to S1104; otherwise (S1103 is NO), it proceeds to S1106. In S1104, the CPU 103 determines whether the changed setting value is a setting value related to the print settings for the driver. The print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201 also contains settings for processing print data in application 201, not just the print settings of the printer driver 210. For example, in the print instruction screen 301 of Figure 3, the paper size combo box 304 and paper type combo box 305 are the driver's print settings, while the printer combo box 302 is not the driver's print settings.

[0105] CPU 103 determines that the changed setting value corresponds to the print setting value for the driver (1104 is YES), then proceeds to S1105; otherwise, it proceeds to S1106. In S1105, application 201 updates the print setting information to the changed setting value.

[0106] Meanwhile, in S1106, the CPU 103 determines whether the print button 310 on the print instruction screen 301 has been pressed. If the CPU 103 determines that the print button 310 has been pressed (S1106 is YES), it proceeds to S1107; otherwise (S1106 is NO), it proceeds to S1108. In S1108, the application 201 determines whether the cancel button 311 on the print instruction screen 301 has been pressed. If the CPU 103 determines that the cancel button 311 has been pressed (S1108 is YES), it terminates the print instruction process shown in Figure 11; otherwise (S1108 is NO), it proceeds to S1109.

[0107] In S1109, application 201 performs other processing. For example, if the user clicks link 303 on the print instruction screen 301, the printer driver 210 performs print setting processing, and the flowchart in Figure 5 is executed as part of the printer driver 210's processing. Once the flowchart in Figure 5 is complete, processing returns to S1103, which is the processing of application 201.

[0108] Meanwhile, in S1107, the CPU 103, which functions as application 201, instructs the CPU 103, which functions as printer driver 210, to print via the OS's print support function 202. Then, it terminates the print instruction process shown in Figure 11. Once the print instruction process is complete, the CPU 103 closes the print instruction screen 301 shown in Figure 3.

[0109] [Printing process by the printer driver] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the printing process performed by the printer driver 210. The flowchart in Figure 12 is executed as part of the printer driver 210's process. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 12 is performed when the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 is loaded into the RAM 104 and executed by the CPU 103.

[0110] In S1201, the CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver 210, determines whether it has received a print command from the OS's print support function 202 as part of the processing of the user interface module 211. If the CPU 103 determines that it has received a print event (S1201 is YES), it proceeds to S1202; otherwise (S1201 is NO), it repeats S1201 until it receives a print event. In S1107 of Figure 11, when application 201 issues a print command, the CPU 103, which functions as a printer driver, receives a print event.

[0111] In S1202, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, obtains print setting information passed from the OS's print support function 202. The print setting information is the information of the print settings set on the print instruction screen 301 in Figure 3 or the print setting screen 401 in Figure 4.

[0112] Figure 13(a) is a table showing an example of print setting information acquired in S1202. As shown in Figure 3(b), when the custom setting "A4_Rear Tray" is selected from the print instruction screen 301 and the print button 310 is pressed, print setting information like that in Figure 13(a) is generated. Thus, in this embodiment, since custom settings can be selected from the print instruction screen 301 in Figure 3 or the print setting screen 401 in Figure 4, the print setting information may include custom settings.

[0113] S1203 to S1207 is a loop process. In S1204, CPU 103 selects the setting item to be processed from the setting items registered in the display destination. The setting items registered in the display destination are the setting items held in column 702 of the custom setting list 700. If the custom setting list 700 in Figure 7 is saved, the setting items registered in the display destination are "Paper Size" and "Paper Type". CPU 103 executes the processing in S1205 to S1207 for the setting item to be processed and returns to S1203.

[0114] In S1203, CPU103 determines whether all setting items registered in the display destination have been selected as targets for processing. If CPU103 determines that there are setting items that have not been selected as targets for processing (S1203 is NO), it proceeds to S1204 again, selects new setting items to be processed from the unselected setting items, and repeats S1205 to S1207.

[0115] In S1205, CPU103 obtains the setting value of the setting item to be processed from the print setting information acquired in S1202.

[0116] In S1206, CPU103 determines whether the setting value obtained in S1205 indicates a custom setting. If CPU103 determines that the setting value obtained in S1205 indicates a custom setting (S1206 is YES), it proceeds to S1207; otherwise (S1206 is NO), it returns to S1203.

[0117] In S1207, CPU103 retrieves the print setting value associated with the custom setting indicated by the setting value obtained in S1205 from the custom setting list 700, and updates the print setting information obtained in S1202 with the retrieved print setting value.

[0118] For example, suppose the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7 is saved, and the print settings information shown in Figure 13(a) is obtained in S1202. In S1204, the CPU 103 selects "Paper Size" as the setting item to be processed, and in S1205, the CPU 103 obtains "A4_Rear Tray" as the setting value for "Paper Size" from the print settings information in Figure 13(a). Since "A4_Rear Tray" obtained in S1205 exists in the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7, in S1206 the CPU 103 determines that "A4_Rear Tray" is a custom setting (S1206 is YES), and proceeds to S1207. In S1207, the CPU 103 obtains the print settings associated with "A4_Rear Tray" from the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7. That is, "A4" is obtained as the setting value for "Paper Size" and "Rear Tray" is obtained as the setting value for "Paper Feed Method". Then, CPU 103 changes the "Paper Size" setting in the print settings information shown in Figure 13(a) to "A4" obtained from "A4_Rear Tray," and changes the "Paper Feed Method" setting to "Rear Tray" obtained from "Automatic Selection." As a result, the print settings information is updated as shown in Figure 13(b).

[0119] On the other hand, if CPU 103 determines that all setting items registered in the display destination have been selected as targets for processing (S1203 is YES), it proceeds to S1208. In S1208, CPU 103 generates the print data. The processing after the generation of the print data is as described in the print system configuration above.

[0120] [Edit saved custom settings] Figure 14 shows an example of a custom settings editing screen. Users can edit the contents of saved custom settings from the custom settings editing screen 1401. For example, if at least one custom setting is saved, the custom setting will be displayed as a candidate in the pull-down menu 415 of the paper size combo box 402 on the printer driver 210's print settings screen 401, as shown in Figure 4(b). When the CPU 103, which functions as the user interface module 211 of the printer driver 210, detects that a custom setting has been selected, it displays the custom settings editing screen 1401 for editing the selected custom setting. The custom settings editing screen 1401 may also be accessible from a button for displaying the custom settings editing screen (not shown).

[0121] The printer driver 210's behavior when the save destination combo box 1403 on the custom settings editing screen 1401 is operated is the same as that of the save destination combo box 903 in Figure 9. Similarly, the print settings list box 1404 is the same as the print settings list box 904 in Figure 9, and the name edit box 1405 is the same as the name edit box 905.

[0122] When the user presses the save button 1406, the CPU 103 can update the saved custom settings with the content shown on the custom settings editing screen 1401. When the user presses the delete button 1407, the CPU 103 deletes the selected custom settings. The deleted custom settings are removed from the custom settings list 700 and are no longer added to the driver capability information. When the user presses the cancel button 1408, the CPU 103 closes the custom settings editing screen 1401 without saving the edits made on the custom settings editing screen 1401.

[0123] The custom settings editing screen 1401 in Figure 14 is an example of a screen where the settings for saving print settings cannot be edited. However, a custom settings editing screen where the settings for saving print settings can be edited may be displayed. For example, a control for editing the settings for saving print settings may be provided on the custom settings editing screen 1401, allowing the settings for saving print settings to be edited.

[0124] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can configure settings for the printer driver 210 that cannot be configured from the application 201 or the OS print command screen 301, without having to launch the printer driver 210's print settings screen 401.

[0125] It should be noted that the custom settings were described as being saved when the user presses the Yes button 906 on the custom settings save screen 901. However, custom settings may also be saved in advance. For example, custom settings such as those included in the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7 may be included with the printer driver 210. Then, when the printer driver 210 is installed on the PC 101, the custom settings list 700 in Figure 7, which was pre-included with the printer driver 210, may be saved in the auxiliary storage unit 107.

[0126] <Embodiment 2> The printer driver 210 has a function that allows users to save and use frequently used settings as favorite settings. Favorite settings are associated with print settings information that includes one or more print settings frequently used by the user. When a user selects a favorite setting, the print settings are configured based on the print settings information associated with the selected favorite setting. This embodiment describes a method for adding saved favorite settings to the driver capability information of a certain setting item so that it can be selected from application 201.

[0127] [About the favorites registration feature] Figure 15 shows an example of the print settings screen of a printer driver 210 that has a favorites setting function.

[0128] The difference between the print settings screen 401 in Figure 4 and the print settings screen 1500 in Figure 15 is that Figure 15 further includes a favorites combo box 1501, an edit button 1502, a save button 1503, and a delete button 1504. The favorites combo box 1501 is a combo box for the user to select registered favorite settings. The edit button 1502 is a button that launches a screen for editing the favorite settings selected in the favorites combo box 1501. The save button 1503 is a button that launches a screen for registering favorite settings. The delete button 1504 is a button for deleting the favorite settings selected in the favorites combo box 1501.

[0129] [About adding to favorites] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating the print setting process of a printer driver 210 that has a favorites setting function. The flowchart in Figure 16 is executed as a process of the printer driver 210. That is, the process according to the flowchart in Figure 16 is performed by loading the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104 and executing it on the CPU 103.

[0130] Figure 16 is a flowchart of this embodiment corresponding to the flowchart in Figure 5. Therefore, steps that are the same as those in Figure 5 are numbered in Figure 16 as well. Steps S501 to S505 and S506 to S507 are the same as those in Figure 5, so their explanation is omitted.

[0131] In S504, if the CPU 103 determines that the setting value of a setting item has been changed on the print settings screen 1500 (S504 is YES), it proceeds to S505; otherwise (S504 is NO), in this embodiment, it proceeds to S1601.

[0132] In S1601, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, determines whether the user has pressed the save button 1503 for favorite settings on the print settings screen 1500. If the CPU 103 determines that the save button 1503 has been pressed (S1601 is YES), it proceeds to S1602; otherwise (S1601 is NO), it proceeds to S506.

[0133] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the favorite registration process performed in S1602. The flowchart in Figure 17 is executed as a process of the printer driver 210. Specifically, the process according to the flowchart in Figure 17 is performed by loading the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 into the RAM 104, and then executing it on the CPU 103.

[0134] In S1701, the CPU 103, which functions as the printer driver 210, displays the favorites save screen 1801 (see Figure 18) and proceeds to S1702.

[0135] Figure 18 shows an example of the favorites save screen 1801. When the user enters a string of characters as the name to be registered as a favorite in the name edit box 1802, the OK button 1804 becomes pressable. The OK button 1804 is detected by the user interface module 211.

[0136] In S1702, CPU 103 determines whether the OK button 1804 on the favorites save screen 1801 has been pressed by the user. If CPU 103 determines that the OK button 1804 has been pressed (S1702 is YES), it proceeds to S1703; otherwise (S1702 is NO), it proceeds to S1707.

[0137] In S1703, CPU103 determines whether the name entered by the user in the name edit box 1802 is the same as the name of a registered favorite setting. If CPU103 determines that the name of a registered favorite setting is the same (S1703 is YES), it returns to S1702 and prompts the user to change the name; otherwise (S1703 is NO), it proceeds to S1704.

[0138] In S1704, CPU 103 determines the name entered in the name edit box 1802 as the name of the favorite setting to be registered. Then, CPU 103 registers the favorite setting by associating the print setting information, which indicates the print setting currently selected on the print setting screen 1500, with the determined favorite setting name and saving it. The favorite setting will be explained as being registered in the favorite setting list (not shown). The favorite setting list is a list in which the name of the favorite setting and the print setting information are associated.

[0139] In S1705, CPU103 determines whether the checkbox 1803 to add to paper size on the favorites save screen 1801 is checked. If CPU103 determines that checkbox 1803 is checked (S1705 is YES), it proceeds to S1706; otherwise (S1705 is NO), it skips S1706 and proceeds to S1708.

[0140] In S1706, the CPU 103 generates a name for the custom setting. Then, it associates the name of the favorite setting saved in S1704 with the generated name of the custom setting and saves it in the custom setting list 1900 of this embodiment (see Figure 19). Once the custom setting has been saved in the custom setting list 1900, the CPU 103 proceeds to S1708.

[0141] CPU103 generates a custom setting name by concatenating a string that represents the setting value set for "Paper Size," a delimiter, and a string that represents the name of the favorite setting registered in S1704.

[0142] Figure 19 shows an example of a custom setting list in this embodiment. In the custom setting list 1900 in Figure 19, a row is provided for each custom setting. In each row, column 1901 holds the name representing the custom setting, column 1902 holds the setting item that displays the custom setting, and column 1903 holds the name of the favorite setting associated with the custom setting. In this embodiment, the setting item that displays the custom setting associated with the favorite setting is, for example, "Paper Size". Therefore, as shown in Figure 19, "Paper Size" is stored in column 1902.

[0143] Additionally, column 1903 holds the name "Paper Saving," which is the name of the favorite setting entered in the name edit box 1802 and registered in S1704.

[0144] Meanwhile, in S1707, the CPU 103 determines whether the user has pressed the cancel button 1805 on the favorites save screen 1801. If the CPU 103 determines that the cancel button 1805 has been pressed (S1707 is YES), it proceeds to S1708; otherwise (S1707 is NO), it proceeds to S1709.

[0145] In S1708, CPU 103 closes the favorites save screen 1801 and terminates the favorites registration process shown in Figure 17.

[0146] In S1709, if CPU103 detects an operation other than the OK button 1804 or the Cancel button 1805, it performs other processing and returns to S1702.

[0147] [Set saved favorites from the application] Figure 20 is a flowchart illustrating the printing process performed by the printer driver 210. The flowchart in Figure 20 is executed as part of the printer driver 210's process. Specifically, the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 20 is performed when the program code of the printer driver 210 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 107 is loaded into the RAM 104 and executed by the CPU 103.

[0148] Figure 20 is a flowchart of this embodiment corresponding to the flowchart in Figure 12. Therefore, steps that are the same as those in Figure 12 are numbered in Figure 20 as well. Steps S1201 to S1208 are the same as in Figure 12, so their explanation is omitted.

[0149] In S1206, the CPU 103 determines whether the setting value of the setting item to be processed in the print setting information is a value that indicates a custom setting held in the custom setting list 1900. If the CPU 103 determines that the setting value obtained in S1205 is a value that indicates a custom setting (S1206 is YES), in this embodiment the process proceeds to S2001; otherwise (S1206 is NO), it returns to S1203.

[0150] In S2001, CPU103 determines whether the custom setting indicated by the setting value obtained in S1205 is associated with a favorite setting in the custom setting list 1900. If CPU103 determines that the custom setting is associated with a favorite setting (S2001 is YES), it proceeds to S2002; otherwise (S2001 is NO), it proceeds to S1207.

[0151] Assume that the custom setting list 1900 in Figure 19 is saved, and the setting value of the setting item to be processed obtained in S1205 is "A4_Paper Saving". In this case, as shown in Figure 19, the custom setting "A4_Paper Saving" is associated with the favorite setting "Paper Saving", so S2001 determines it to be YES and the process proceeds to S2002.

[0152] In S2002, CPU103 retrieves the name of the favorite setting associated with the custom setting indicated by the setting value obtained in S1205. From the favorite setting list (not shown), CPU103 retrieves the print setting information associated with the retrieved favorite setting name and reflects the retrieved print setting information in the current print setting information obtained in S1202.

[0153] Similar to Embodiment 1, once all setting items for which custom settings are displayed have been reviewed, print data is generated based on the print settings information.

[0154] The process by which application 201 instructs the printer driver 210 to print is the same as in Embodiment 1. For example, in the custom setting list 1900 in Figure 19, row 1911 holds information about a custom setting named "A4_Paper Saving". Column 1902 of row 1911 holds "Paper Size" as a setting item for displaying custom settings. Therefore, the custom setting "A4_Paper Saving" is added to the driver's paper size capability information. Thus, in this embodiment, "A4_Paper Saving" can be selected from the paper size combo box 304 on the print instruction screen 301 provided by application 201. When the custom setting "A4_Paper Saving" is selected from the print instruction screen 301, the print settings are configured in the same way as when the "Paper Saving" favorite setting is selected.

[0155] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can select their favorite settings without having to launch the print settings screen 401 of the printer driver 210 each time they print.

[0156] The various controls described above, which are performed by the CPU 103, may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (for example, multiple processors or circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0157] Furthermore, although the technology of this disclosure has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the gist of the technology of this disclosure are also included. Moreover, each of the embodiments described above is merely one example of the technology of this disclosure, and it is possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

[0158] Furthermore, although the embodiments described above used the application of the technology of this disclosure to PC101 as an example, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this example and can be applied to any device that can generate print data and issue print instructions to a printer. In other words, the technology of this disclosure can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, mobile phone terminals, portable image viewers, and printer devices equipped with displays. It can also be applied to digital photo frames, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smartphones, tablets, and the like.

[0159] <Other Embodiments> In the embodiments described above, a method for including custom settings in the application's print settings screen during the printing process of displayed content was explained. The method of the embodiments described above is also applicable to content processing other than content printing. That is, when a program other than the application processes the content, the program processing the content may notify the application of candidates that include custom settings. Then, if it is set to process the content with custom settings via the application, the software processing the content may reflect the custom settings and perform the content processing.

[0160] This disclosure can also be realized by performing the following process: that is, supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program code. In this case, the program and the storage media storing the program constitute the technology of this disclosure.

[0161] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0162] The above-described embodiments include the following configurations.

[0163] (Composition 1) Computers, A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as configurable options for a first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, When the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, A control means for controlling printing to be performed with the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate, A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

[0164] (Configuration 2) The aforementioned specific candidates are candidates customized by the user. The program according to configuration 1, characterized by the above.

[0165] (Composition 3) The aforementioned specific candidate is one in which the contents of both the first and second setting items have been customized so that the user can specify the contents through user operation on the setting screen provided by the program. The program according to configuration 2, characterized by the above.

[0166] (Composition 4) The first setting item described above is a setting item that can be selected and configured from among several options on the print settings screen provided by the application software. The second setting item described above is a setting item that cannot be set on the print settings screen provided by the application software. A program according to configuration 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

[0167] (Composition 5) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the first setting item is the paper size.

[0168] (Composition 6) The second setting item is a paper feeding method, and is one of any configurations 1 to 5. The program described in item 1.

[0169] (Composition 7) The program is driver software for controlling a printing device. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized by the above.

[0170] (Composition 8) The settings changed by the user via the settings screen provided by the program are saved as the specific candidates. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above.

[0171] (Composition 9) The aforementioned computer The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further characterized by functioning as a generation means for generating the aforementioned specific candidate names.

[0172] (Composition 10) The generation means generates a name that represents both the content specified in the first setting item and the content specified in the second setting item. The program according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described therein.

[0173] (Composition 11) There are multiple settings that can be the first setting item described above. The setting item in the previous 1 is the setting item selected by the user from among the multiple setting items. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized by the above.

[0174] (Composition 12) The aforementioned computer This further enhances the functionality of the user's selected settings as favorite settings. The control means is When the acquisition means acquires a print command indicating that the specific candidate has been set in the first setting item, and the favorite setting is associated with the setting corresponding to the specific candidate, Printing is controlled to occur based on the settings saved as favorites. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized by the above.

[0175] (Composition 13) The aforementioned computer The program is further configured to function as a display control means for displaying the settings screen provided by the program. The settings screen is configured to allow editing of the content of a specific candidate or deleting a specific candidate from the settings screen. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized by the above.

[0176] (Composition 14) The aforementioned specific candidates are included in the program beforehand. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized by the above.

[0177] (Composition 15) The aforementioned computer In the settings screen provided by the program, when the user changes a setting value from the default value, a display control means is provided to display a save screen for saving the specific candidate. A saving means that saves the specific candidate as the first setting item, the setting item selected by the user on the saving screen, and as the second setting item, the setting item whose setting value the user has changed from the default value on the setting screen. A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, characterized in that it further functions as such.

[0178] (Composition 16) Computers, A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions for processing the displayed content of a number of candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in a first setting item related to the said processing, An acquisition means for acquiring instructions for the process, including the content set in the first setting item, from the application software, When the acquisition means obtains an instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, Control means for controlling the process to be performed such that the first setting item and a second setting item relating to the process, which is different from the first setting item, are set to setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate, A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

[0179] (Composition 17) A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as configurable options for a first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, When the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, A control means for controlling printing to be performed with the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

[0180] (Composition 18) A notification step that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in the first setting item related to printing, The acquisition step involves acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, In the acquisition step, when a print instruction is obtained indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, A control step that controls printing to be performed with the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate, An information processing method characterized by having the following features.

[0181] (Composition 19) A computer-readable storage medium on which programs for causing the computer to function as each means of the information processing device described in configuration 17 are stored.

[0182] (Composition 20) This includes driver software for controlling the printing device and application software that can receive instructions to print the displayed content. The aforementioned driver software is The application software includes a notification means for notifying it of information on multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as configurable options for a first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, When the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, The system includes a control means for controlling printing to be performed with the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. The aforementioned application software is The system accepts a user operation to select one of the candidate options from the multiple candidate options notified for the first setting item. When a print command is received, the driver software is notified of information indicating the candidates set for the first setting item. An information processing device characterized by the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0183] 103 CPU 201 Applications 210 Printer Driver

Claims

1. Computers, A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in the first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, When the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to a setting corresponding to the specific candidate, the control means controls the system to print by setting the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

2. The aforementioned specific candidates are candidates customized by the user. The program according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned specific candidate is one in which the contents of both the first and second setting items have been customized so that the user can specify the contents through user operation on the setting screen provided by the program. The program according to feature 2.

4. The first setting item is a setting item that can be selected and configured from among several options on the print settings screen provided by the application software. The second setting item described above is a setting item that cannot be set on the print settings screen provided by the application software. The program according to feature 2.

5. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the first setting item is the paper size.

6. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the second setting item is a paper feeding method.

7. The program is driver software for controlling a printing device. The program according to feature 1.

8. The settings changed by the user via the settings screen provided by the program are saved as the specific candidates. The program according to feature 1.

9. The aforementioned computer The program according to claim 1, further characterized by functioning as a generation means for generating the names of the specific candidates.

10. The generation means generates a name that represents both the content specified in the first setting item and the content specified in the second setting item. The program according to feature 9.

11. There are multiple settings that can be the first setting item, The first setting item is a setting item selected by the user from among the multiple setting items. The program according to feature 1.

12. The aforementioned computer This further enhances the functionality of the user's selected settings as favorite settings. The control means is When the acquisition means acquires a print command indicating that the specific candidate has been set in the first setting item, and the favorite setting is associated with the setting corresponding to the specific candidate, the system controls the printing to be performed based on the setting value saved as the favorite setting. The program according to feature 1.

13. The aforementioned computer The program is further configured to function as a display control means for displaying the settings screen provided by the program. The settings screen is configured to allow editing of the content of a specific candidate or deleting a specific candidate from the settings screen. The program according to feature 1.

14. The aforementioned specific candidates are included in the program beforehand. The program according to feature 1.

15. The aforementioned computer In the settings screen provided by the program, when the user changes a setting value from the default value, a display control means is provided to display a save screen for saving the specific candidate. A saving means that saves the specific candidate as the first setting item, the setting item selected by the user on the saving screen, and as the second setting item, the setting item whose setting value the user has changed from the default value on the setting screen. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that it further functions as such.

16. Computers, A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions for processing the displayed content of a number of candidates, including a specific candidate, as a settable candidate for a first setting item related to the processing, An acquisition means for acquiring instructions for the process, including the content set in the first setting item, from the application software, When the acquisition means obtains an instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to correspond to the specific candidate, the control means controls the process to be performed such that the first setting item and a second setting item relating to the process, which is different from the first setting item, are set to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

17. A notification means that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in the first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, When the acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to a setting corresponding to the specific candidate, the control means controls the system to print by setting the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

18. A notification step that notifies application software capable of receiving instructions to print the displayed content of multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as candidates that can be set in the first setting item related to printing, The acquisition step involves obtaining a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, In the acquisition step, when a print instruction is acquired indicating that the first setting item has been set to a setting corresponding to the specific candidate, the control step controls the system to print by setting the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. An information processing method characterized by having the following features.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a program stored in it that causes the computer to function as each means of the information processing apparatus described in claim 17.

20. This includes driver software for controlling the printing device and application software that can receive instructions to print the displayed content. The aforementioned driver software is The application software includes a notification means for notifying it of information on multiple candidates, including a specific candidate, as configurable options for a first setting item related to printing, An acquisition means for acquiring a print command from the application software that includes the content set in the first setting item, The acquisition means acquires a print instruction indicating that the first setting item has been set to a setting corresponding to the specific candidate, and the control means controls the system to print by setting the first setting item and a second setting item related to printing, which is different from the first setting item, to the setting values ​​corresponding to the specific candidate. The aforementioned application software is The system accepts a user operation to select one of the candidate pieces of information from the multiple candidates notified for the first setting item. When a print command is received, the driver software is notified of information indicating the candidates set for the first setting item. An information processing device characterized by the following:

Images