Print server program and printing system

Abstract

To provide a technology for enhancing the availability of printers in the case of using a plurality of printers from an information processing device.SOLUTION: A sum set of print settings including general-purpose print settings and specific print settings of respective printers 2, 3, 4 is generated, further, choices of print settings are expanded by receiving a general-purpose print setting and a specific print setting on the basis of the sum set, and further, a print job is transmitted to a printer suitable to a print setting among the plurality of printers when a print setting specific to the printer is set by determining the printer to which the print job is transmitted in accordance with a setting state of a specific print setting when the print job is inputted. Thus, the availability of the printers can be enhanced in a printing system with the plurality of printers 2, 3, 4 connected thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a print server program and a printing system that control a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, driverless printing technology has been widespread, which uses a general-purpose print program built into the OS to print without installing a printer driver. For example, Patent Document 1, which discloses a technology using a general-purpose print program that is standard in the OS, discloses a configuration in which, when a printer receives a print job generated using the general-purpose print program that is standard in the OS, the printer temporarily stores the print job and requests additional information from the terminal device that sent the print job. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-024272 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a printer is made to print using a general-purpose print program that is standard for the OS, the print setting items and setting values ​​are limited to general ones, so it is not possible to set the printer's specific functions. For example, as in Patent Document 1, the printer can receive settings for the printer's specific functions as additional information from the terminal device that sent the print job, allowing the printer to execute processing specific to the printer. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose processing when multiple printers are connected, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique for improving the availability of printers when multiple printers are used from an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The print server program has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is executable by a computer of an information processing device and can be registered as a printer in an operating system of the information processing device, and is characterized in that it causes the computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring capability information indicating capabilities from a plurality of printers connected to the information processing device, and a generation process for generating a union of setting values ​​that can be set as print settings of a print job from the plurality of pieces of capability information acquired in the acquisition process, and the union can include unique information that is a setting value unique to each printer. The computer is further caused to execute a reception process for receiving settings related to the unique information among the print settings based on the union generated in the generation process, and when a print instruction is given to a general-purpose print program pre-installed in the operating system to specify the print server program as an output destination, a determination process for determining a printer to be a destination of the print job from among the plurality of printers based on the setting related to the unique information accepted in the reception process, and a transmission process for transmitting the print job to the printer determined in the determination process.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, a union of setting values ​​including the unique information of each printer is generated, and the unique information settings are accepted based on the union, thereby expanding the selection of setting values. Furthermore, when a print job is input, the print job is sent based on the unique information settings. By determining the printer, you can set printer-specific settings and use multiple printers. The print job is sent to the printer that matches the setting value. This can increase the availability of the printer in a printing system to which the printer is connected.

[0008] The printing system equipped with the print server program that controls the above printers is also new. It is useful. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, when multiple printers are used from an information processing device, Thus, a technique for increasing the availability of a printer is realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram functionally explaining an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of another information processing device. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a printer capability acquisition process. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining print setting items that can be set in a printer and the print setting items. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a printer selection process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for a process of selecting unique print settings of a printer. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for responding to an inquiry about the print settings of a printer from a content creation application via the OS. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printer selection processing based on unique print settings. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a print screen display process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. explain.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 5 of the present embodiment includes three information processing devices 1 and 100. The system is composed of an information processing device 1, a printer 2, a printer 3, and a printer 4. 100, 200 and the three printers 2, 3, and 4 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 5 The information processing devices 1, 100, and 200 are, for example, personal computers. computer, smartphone, tablet computer, and printing to printers 2, 3, and 4 It also generates and edits image data to be printed, and sends print execution instructions to each printer 2, 3, and 4. This is a device that

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 1 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM The controller 10 includes a memory 13 and a non-volatile memory 14. The user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 15 and the network connected to the LAN 5 Network interface (hereafter referred to as "network IF") 16 and USB interface The USB-IF 17 is electrically connected to the controller 10. The CPU 11 is an example of a control unit. The M12, the RAM 13, and the non-volatile memory 14 are examples of memory. 6 and USB-IF17 are examples of communication interfaces.

[0014] The ROM 12 stores a startup program for starting up the information processing device 1. The RAM 13 is used as a working area when various processes are executed, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The non-volatile memory 14 is, for example, a HDD or a flash memory, and is used as an area for storing various programs, data such as image data, and various settings.

[0015] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the ROM 12 or the non-volatile memory 14, and based on user operations. Note that the controller 10 in Fig. 2 is a collective term for hardware and software used to control the information processing device 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the information processing device 1.

[0016] The user IF 15 is hardware that accepts operations by a user and displays information. The user IF 15 may be equipped with both an input function and an output function, such as a touch panel, or may be configured by combining a display with a keyboard and a mouse.

[0017] The network IF16 includes hardware for communicating with an external device via a network such as the Internet. The communication standard of the network IF16 is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The USB-IF17 includes hardware for performing communication based on the USB standard. The communication mode of the network IF16 and the USB-IF17 may be wired or wireless.

[0018] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment has a driverless printing function that performs printing without installing a printer driver. The driverless printing function is a printing function that creates a print job including standard print data, which is general-purpose print data that does not depend on the printer model, based on the content to be printed, and transmits it to the printer, for example, AirPrint (registered trademark) and Mopria (registered trademark). The information processing device 100 also has a driverless printing function.

[0019] 1, three printers 2, 3, and 4 are connected to the information processing device 1 via a LAN 4. The printers 2, 3, and 4 are all devices capable of forming an image on a medium to be printed, such as a page printer, a copier, a multifunction device, or a fax machine.

[0020] The printers 2, 3, and 4 are provided with a driver printing protocol compatible with the driver printing function of the information processing device 100. The printers 2, 3, and 4 may be connected to the information processing device 1 via the USB-IF 17. When the printers 2, 3, and 4 receive individual print data that they can handle from the information processing device 100, they execute printing by using the received individual print data as image data to be printed, or by converting the received print data into image data to be printed.

[0021] Furthermore, printers 2, 3, and 4 have the capability of executing printing using unique print settings that are not supported by the driverless printing function of information processing device 1. Therefore, even if standard print data is received from the driverless printing function of information processing device 1, printing using the unique print settings cannot be executed.

[0022] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment includes an application for causing the printers 2, 3, and 4 to execute printing. As shown in Fig. 1, the non-volatile memory 14 of the information processing device 1 stores various programs including an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) 41, a content creation application 42, a management program 43, and a print server program 44. Note that a part of the OS 41 may be included in the ROM 12.

[0023] The OS 41 of the information processing device 1 of this embodiment has a driverless printing function and supports individual models of printers. The printer driver version does not accept the installation of the printer driver for the printer. For this reason, the non-volatile memory 14 of the information processing device 1 is configured to realize a driverless printing function. A driverless printing program 45 is provided for printing the data on printers 2, 3, and 4. The corresponding printer driver program is not stored.

[0024] The content creation application 42 creates content to be printed, such as documents, images, charts, etc. The content creation application 42 is an application for creating a print job based on a user operation. The content creation application 42 also includes a function for receiving instructions from the OS 41. The information processing device 1 corresponds to a liberty-less printing function. The content creation application 42 may be included.

[0025] The management program 43 and the print server program 44 are The printer connected to the information processing device 1 prints the content created by the This is a program used when executing the programs 2, 3, and 4. Also, the management program 43 The print server program 44 stores print setting items including unique information of the printers 2, 3, and 4. and print setting values, and receives the unique information setting based on the union. This is a program used when adding standard printing data. When determining the printer to which a print job should be sent based on separately specified unique information settings The management program 43 and the print server program 44 is an example of a print server program.

[0026] The management program 43 also executes print server programs corresponding to the printers 2, 3, and 4. The print server program 44 is started, and the print server configured by the print server program 44 is This is a program that registers a virtual printer in OS41. By registering the virtual printer as a virtual printer, the content creation application 42 etc. The printer can be selected as the output destination. The print server program 44 Converts print jobs output by the print function to print jobs that reflect unique print settings. This is a program that sends the data to printers 2, 3, and 4.

[0027] The management program 43 and the print server program 44 are installed in the information processing device 1. In the information processing device 1 to which multiple printers 2, 3, and 4 are connected, the printers 2, The print server is started as if 3 and 4 were a single printer, and one virtual printer is created. The printer is registered as a desired printer.

[0028] The information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment corresponds to a driverless printing function, for example, as shown in FIG. (Hereinafter, if printers 2, 3, and 4 are supported, select one of them.) The printer specified in the print server program 44 is used to print. When printing is performed on a virtual printer consisting of printers 2, 3, and 4, different processing is performed. The OS 41 of the information processing device 1 executes, for example, a print instruction in the content creation application 42. If the printer specified in the print instruction is a supported printer, For example, standard print data created with the driverless printing function is sent to a compatible printer. The compliant printer executes printing based on the standard print data.

[0029] On the other hand, the printer specified in the print instruction is the printer specified by the print server program 44. In the case of a virtual printer composed of the drivers 2, 3, and 4, the information processing device 1 The standard print data created by the print server function is passed to the print server program 44. The print server program 44 prints the standard print data based on the unique print settings that are set separately. Then, the individual print data, which is print data in a format compatible with the printers 2, 3, and 4, is obtained and transmitted to the printers 2, 3, and 4.

[0030] 4, the information processing devices 100 and 200 of this embodiment have the same configuration as the information processing device 1, but differ in that the management program 43 and the print server program 44 are not stored in the non-volatile memory 14. Therefore, in the information processing devices 100 and 200, when the printer specified in the print instruction is a virtual printer composed of the printers 2, 3, and 4, the standard print data created by the driverless printing function must be passed to the print server program 44 of the information processing device 1. The print server program 44 of the information processing device 1 acquires individual print data, which is print data in a format compatible with the printers 2, 3, and 4, based on the passed standard print data and unique print settings separately set, and transmits the individual print data to the printers 2, 3, and 4.

[0031] Next, the operation of the information processing device 1 to cause the printers 2, 3, and 4 to execute printing will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Note that the processes and each processing step of the flowcharts in the following description basically indicate processing by the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in programs such as the management program 43 and the print server program 44. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using an IF (also called an API) for data exchange with other modules of the OS 41 of the information processing device 1.

[0032] First, the procedure of the printer capability acquisition process by the management program 43 and the print server program 44 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. This printer capability acquisition process is executed by the CPU 11 when, for example, the information processing device 1 is started up, a new printer is connected, a connected printer is removed, a capability inquiry from the OS 41, etc.

[0033] In the printer capability acquisition process, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not there are printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to the information processing device 1 via the LAN 5 and the USB-IF 17 (S10). At this time, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not there are connected printers 2, 3, and 4 based on information obtained by multicasting a search signal to which the printers 2, 3, and 4 can respond. If it is determined that there are no connected printers 2, 3, and 4 (S10: NO), this process ends.

[0034] On the other hand, if it is determined that the connected printers 2, 3, and 4 exist (S10: YES), then the CPU 11 inquires of the printers 2, 3, and 4 to acquire the print setting items and the print setting values ​​for the print setting items (S11). Note that the print setting items of the printers 2, 3, and 4 and the print setting values ​​selectable for the print setting items may be acquired by, for example, inquiring of a printer manufacturer's server via the Internet. Note that the process of S11 is an example of the acquisition process.

[0035] Next, the CPU 11 stores the acquired print setting items and the print setting values ​​selectable for the print setting items as print setting information together with the printer name in the non-volatile memory 14 (S12). Note that the printer name may be the model number, name, IP address, or the like of the printer.

[0036] Next, CPU 11 judges whether print setting items and print setting values ​​for the print setting items have been read from all of printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to information processing device 1 (S13). If it is judged that print setting items and print setting values ​​have been read from all of printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to information processing device 1 (S13: YES), CPU 11 then creates a union of the print setting items and print setting values ​​of all the read printers, and stores the print setting items and print setting values ​​of the union in non-volatile memory 14 as printer capability information of the union. The union of the print setting items that can be set for each of the printers 2, 3, and 4 is stored in the The logical sum of the print setting value and the print setting value may be used. The setting items and print setting values ​​may be merged or added together. The process is an example of a generation process.

[0037] In this embodiment, the printer capability acquisition process is started when the information processing device 1 is started. If you configure it to execute, you can quickly execute the unique print setting process described later. become.

[0038] Here, the print setting items and print setting values ​​that can be set for printers 2, 3, and 4 are as follows: This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] In other words, in FIG. 6, among the print settings that can be set for printers 2, 3, and 4, The print settings 51 are print settings supported by the driverless printing function of the information processing device 1. The unique print settings 52 are an example of the unique print settings for the driverless printing function of the information processing device 1. This is an example of a print setting that is not supported in

[0040] For example, the general print settings 51 of the printer 2 include the print setting items "paper size " and "Paper type" exist, and their print settings are "A4" and "Plain paper". In addition, the unique print settings 52 include a print setting item, such as "single-sided / double-sided" There is a "one-sided" print setting, and there are two print settings: "single-sided" and "double-sided." Similarly, the general print settings 51 and specific print settings 52 of printers 3 and 4 are as shown in FIG. The unique print settings 52 are an example of unique information.

[0041] In addition, the print setting items and print setting values ​​that can be set on printers 2, 3, and 4 are set as a union. The general-purpose print setting 51 of the union print setting 53 is the print setting item "Paper size". The print settings for these include "A4", "A5", There are "postcards," "plain paper," "inkjet paper," and "glossy paper." The unique print settings 52 include print setting items such as "single-sided / double-sided", "Nin1", There are paper types, and the print settings for these are "single-sided," "double-sided," and "2in 1", "4in1", "Inkjet paper postcard address side", "Inkjet paper postcard There are three types: a "plain paper postcard with a message side," a "plain paper postcard with an address side," and a "plain paper postcard with a message side."

[0042] In this embodiment, before the user issues a print instruction in the content creation application 42, that is, In addition, the user can select and store the printer and unique print settings 52 in advance. When you touch the designated area on the touch panel of the IF15, a selection screen pops up. The user can also select the printer and unique print settings by touching the screen. A selection of decision 52 can be made.

[0043] 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printer selection process. The selection process is performed by the CPU 11 processing the management program 43 and the print server program 44. This is achieved by:

[0044] First, the CPU 11 detects a selection area of ​​the touch panel of the user IF 15. It is determined whether or not the user has touched the button (S21). If it is determined that the user has not touched the specified area of ​​the touch panel (S21: NO), other processing is (S22).

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has touched a specific area on the touch panel of the user IF 15, If so (S21: YES), the CPU 11 pops up a printer selection screen on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S23). The printer selection screen displays all the printer names acquired in the printer capability acquisition process shown in Fig. 5. That is, the printer names of the printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to the information processing device 1 are displayed.

[0046] Next, CPU 11 determines whether a printer has been selected (S24). If the user selects one of the printer names displayed on the printer selection screen and then touches the "Execute" button, CPU 11 determines that a printer has been selected (S24: YES), and then CPU 11 stores the selected printer name in non-volatile memory 14 (S25).

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined that the printer has not been selected (S24: NO), or after the process of S25, the CPU 11 next determines whether or not the "Cancel" button displayed on the printer selection screen has been touched by the user (S26). If it is determined that the "Cancel" button has been touched (S26: YES), the CPU 11 deletes the printer name from the non-volatile memory 14 (S27). After the process of S27, or if it is determined that the "Cancel" button has not been touched (S26: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the "Exit" button displayed on the printer selection screen has been touched by the user (S28). If the CPU 11 determines that the "Exit" button has been touched (S28: YES), the CPU 11 ends the selection process for this printer. On the other hand, if it is determined that the "Exit" button has not been touched (S28: NO), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S23.

[0048] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the selection process of the printer's unique print settings. The selection process of the printer's unique print settings shown in FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 11 processing the management program 43 and the print server program 44, and is executed periodically at predetermined intervals.

[0049] First, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the user has touched a selection button in a predetermined area of ​​the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S31). If it is judged that the user has not touched the predetermined area of ​​the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S31: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to another process (S32).

[0050] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has touched a predetermined area on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S31: YES), the CPU 11 pops up a selection screen for printer-specific print settings on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S33). The selection screen for printer-specific print settings displays all of the unique print settings 52 among the union print settings 53 in the printer capability acquisition process shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the print setting items of the unique print settings 52 and their print setting values ​​are displayed.

[0051] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the unique print setting 52 has been selected (S34). When the user selects one print setting value corresponding to one print setting item displayed on the selection screen of the unique print setting 52 and then touches the "Execute" button, the CPU 11 determines that the unique print setting 52 has been selected (S34: YES), and stores the print setting item and print setting value of the selected unique print setting 52 in the non-volatile memory 14 (S35). Note that, when selecting the unique print setting, one print setting value may be selected for multiple print setting items. Note that the process of S34 is an example of a reception process.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined that the unique print setting 52 has not been selected (S34: NO), or after the process of S35, the CPU 11 next determines whether or not the user has touched the "Cancel" button displayed on the unique print setting selection screen (S36). If it is determined that the "Cancel" button has been touched (S36: YES), the CPU On the other hand, if the “Cancel” button is touched, the process of selecting the unique print settings is terminated. If it is determined that the message has not been received (S36: NO), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S33.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows the print settings of the printer from the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for responding to an inquiry about printer capability information. The response process shown in FIG. 9 is performed by the CPU 11 executing the management program 43 and the print server program 44. This is achieved by processing the following:

[0054] First, the CPU 11 receives the printer capabilities from the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. It is determined whether or not an information inquiry has been made (S41). Then, the content creation application 42 If it is determined that no inquiry has been made via OS41 from the The process is carried out (S42).

[0055] On the other hand, when the user touches a predetermined area on the touch panel of the user IF 15, The content creation application 42 is connected to the printers 2, 3, and 4 via the OS 41. If it is determined that a capability information inquiry has been made to the virtual printer (S41: YES), The U11 determines whether or not the printer name exists in the non-volatile memory 14 (S43). For example, in the printer selection process shown in FIG. If the printer name is stored in the non-volatile memory 14, the CPU 11 If it is determined that the printer name is stored (S43: YES), the CPU 11 then The printer name and the print settings for that printer, i.e. the general print settings for that printer, The content creation application 42 responds to the request via the OS 41 (S44), and then the response process is End the process.

[0056] On the other hand, if the printer name is not stored in the non-volatile memory 14, the CPU 11 It is determined that no printer is selected from printers 2, 3, and 4 (S43: NO). Next, The CPU 11 determines whether or not the unique print settings are stored in the non-volatile memory 14 ( Then, in the process of S35 of the printer-specific print setting process shown in FIG. If the unique print settings of the printer are stored in the non-volatile memory 14, the CPU 11 If it is determined that the unique print settings are present (S45: YES), the CPU 11 then Printers with valid print settings are extracted from printers 2, 3, and 4 (S46). This process is performed in the non-volatile memory in step S12 of the printer capability acquisition process shown in FIG. The printer is extracted based on the print settings stored in the library 14.

[0057] Next, the CPU 11 obtains the union of the print settings of the extracted printers (S47). The union of the print settings is the sum of the general print settings 51 of the extracted printer print settings. Next, the CPU 11 extracts the union of the general-purpose print settings 51 of the extracted printers. The printer's capabilities are sent to the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. S48), and then this reply process ends.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the unique print settings are not stored (S45: NO), The print settings of the printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to the information processing device 1 are compiled as a union of the print settings. The content creation application 42 responds via the OS 41 (S49), and then the response process is completed. The union of the print settings at this time is the sum of the print settings of the printers 2, 3, and 4 connected to the information processing device 1. Among the print settings, the union of the general print setting 51 is taken, and the capability information of printers 2, 3, and 4 is obtained. The content creation application 42 receives the information as shown in FIG. The general print setting 51 of the union print setting 53 is returned as the capability information of printers 2, 3, and 4. .

[0059] Thus, according to this embodiment, in S48 and S49, a union of the general print settings of printers 2, 3, and 4 is generated, and the union of the general print settings is returned to content creation application 42 as capability information of printers 2, 3, and 4, and further content creation application 42 accepts the setting of the general print settings based on that capability information, thereby expanding the print setting options and improving convenience for the user. It is also possible to increase the availability of the printers.

[0060] Next, Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printer selection process based on the unique print settings. The printer selection process based on the unique print settings shown in Fig. 10 is realized by the CPU 11 processing the management program 43 and the print server program 44, and is executed when the unique print settings are stored in the non-volatile memory 14.

[0061] First, the CPU 11 extracts printers capable of printing with the unique print settings stored in the non-volatile memory 14 in the unique print setting selection process shown in Fig. 8 or the print screen display process shown in Fig. 11 (S51). The process of S51 is performed based on the information stored in the non-volatile memory 14 in S12 of the printer capability acquisition process shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the number of printers extracted in the process of S51 is "0" (S52). If the number of printers is determined to be "0" (S52: YES), the CPU 11 deletes the printer names stored in the non-volatile memory 14 (S53). Next, the CPU 11 disables the "Print" button displayed on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (described later) (S54), and ends this printer selection process.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined in S52 that the number of printers is not "0" (S52: NO), then the CPU 11 determines whether the number of printers extracted in the process of S51 is "1" (S55). If it is determined that the number of printers is "1" (S55: YES), then the CPU 11 stores the unique print setting and the printer name in the non-volatile memory 14 (S56).

[0064] On the other hand, if it is determined in S55 that the number of printers is not "1" (S55: NO), then the CPU 11 automatically selects a printer (S57). The conditions for automatic printer selection here can be, for example, that a printer with a large number of print setting items or print setting values ​​is preferentially selected in the print settings of the printer. It can also be that a printer with a high print speed is preferentially selected. It can also be that a printer currently on standby is preferentially selected. It can also be that a printer with a large settable paper size is preferentially selected. It can also be that a printer close to the user is preferentially selected.

[0065] In this embodiment, if the process of S57 is set to preferentially select a printer currently on standby, the waiting time until printing is completed can be shortened. If the process is set to preferentially select a printer with a high printing speed, printing can be performed quickly even when a large number of pages are to be printed. If the process is set to preferentially select a printer with many print setting items or print setting values, the range of options for the user's print settings may be expanded. If the process is set to preferentially select a printer close to the user, user convenience is improved. The processes of S55 and S57 are an example of a determination process.

[0066] Next, the CPU 11 stores the printer name and unique print settings of the printer automatically selected in S57 in the non-volatile memory 14 (S58), and ends this printer selection process.

[0067] Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print screen display process. The print screen display process is performed by the CPU 11 executing the management program 43 and the print server program 44. This is realized by processing the print command from the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. It is executed upon receipt.

[0068] First, the CPU 11 reads the print settings included in the print job sent from the OS 41. (S61). The print setting at this time is the general print setting 51. Next, the CPU 11 executes S6 The printer that satisfies the print settings read in step 1 is extracted (S62). The printer capability acquisition process shown in FIG. 5 is performed based on the information stored in S12. .

[0069] In this embodiment, a printer that satisfies the print settings included in the print job is extracted. A printer that does not satisfy the print settings included in the print job, i.e., the general-purpose print settings 51 will be eliminated at this point, increasing the possibility of printing using the selected printer. .

[0070] Next, the CPU 11 reads out the unique print settings of the printer extracted in S62 (S63 The process of S63 is carried out based on the information stored in S12 of the printer capability acquisition process shown in FIG. The information is read out based on the

[0071] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a unique print setting exists for the extracted printer. If it is determined that a unique print setting exists (S64: YES), Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the unique print settings have been set in advance (S65). The printer's unique print settings are set in advance by the printer's unique print settings selection process shown in Figure 8. If so, the CPU 11 determines that the unique print settings have been set in advance (S65: YES), Next, the CPU 11 displays the contents of the unique print settings on a pop-up screen on the touch panel of the user IF 15. Next, the CPU 11 displays the general-purpose print data and the Based on the current print settings, a preview image is displayed on the touch panel of the user interface 15. The print screen is displayed, and the "Print" and "Cancel" buttons are also displayed (S67). The display process ends.

[0072] On the other hand, if it is determined in S64 that the unique print settings have not been set in advance (S65: If NO, the CPU 11 then executes a specific command to select the unique print settings read out in S63. A print setting selection screen is popped up on the touch panel of the user interface 15 (S68 After that, the CPU 11 detects that the selection of the unique print settings on the unique print settings selection screen is complete. It is determined whether the user has selected the unique print setting displayed on the unique print setting selection screen (S69). If the "Execute" button is touched after selecting one of the print settings in the print settings, the unique print After determining that the selection of the setting is complete (S69: YES), the CPU 11 then The print setting is stored in the non-volatile memory 14 (S70). Next, the CPU 11 Based on the general-purpose print data included in the tab and the current print settings, the user IF15 touch A preview image is displayed on the touch panel, along with the "Print" and "Cancel" buttons. Then, the print screen display process is terminated (S71).

[0073] In this manner, in this embodiment, a print command is received from the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. You can now select unique print settings when you receive a print job. This makes it possible to set the number of times the setting is required, thereby improving convenience.

[0074] On the other hand, if it is determined in S69 that the selection of the unique print settings has not been completed (S69:N O) When the user taps the "Cancel" button displayed on the unique print settings selection screen, Then, if it is determined that the "Cancel" button has been touched (S72: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S73, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the "Cancel" button has not been touched (S72: NO), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S69.

[0075] On the other hand, if it is determined in S64 that there is no unique print setting (S64: NO), then the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of printers extracted in S62 is more than one (S73). If it is determined that there is more than one printer (S73: YES), then the CPU 11 determines whether or not the printer has been selected in advance (S74). If a printer has been selected in advance in the printer selection process shown in Fig. 7, the CPU 11 determines that the printer has been selected in advance (S74: YES), and then the CPU 11 reads out the name of the previously selected printer from the non-volatile memory 14 and displays the printer name in a pop-up on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S75).

[0076] Next, the CPU 11 displays a preview image on the touch panel of the user IF 15 based on the general-purpose print data included in the print job and the current print settings, and also displays a "Print" button and a "Cancel" button (S76), and terminates this print screen display process.

[0077] On the other hand, if it is determined in S74 that the printer has not been selected in advance (S74: NO), the CPU 11 displays a printer selection screen on the touch panel of the user IF 15 (S77). Next, it is determined on the printer selection screen whether or not a printer has been selected (S78). Then, if the user selects one of the printer names displayed on the printer selection screen and then touches the "Execute" button, the CPU 11 determines that the printer has been selected (S78: YES), and then the CPU 11 stores the selected printer name in the non-volatile memory 14 (S79).

[0078] Next, the CPU 11 displays a preview image on the touch panel of the user IF 15 based on the general-purpose print data included in the print job and the current print settings, and also displays a "Print" button and a "Cancel" button (S80), and ends this print screen display process.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that the printer has not been selected (S78: NO), the CPU 11 then determines whether or not the "Cancel" button displayed on the printer selection screen has been touched by the user (S81). If it is determined that the "Cancel" button has been touched (S81: YES), the CPU 11 executes a process to cancel printing (S82), and then ends the printer selection process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the "Cancel" button has not been touched (S81: NO), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S78.

[0080] On the other hand, if it is determined in S73 that there is not a plurality of printers, that is, that there is only one printer (S73: NO), the process proceeds to S75, where the printer name is displayed on the touch panel of the user IF 15 in a pop-up format.

[0081] Next, Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print process. The print process shown in Fig. 12 is realized by the CPU 11 processing the management program 43 and the print server program 44, and is executed when a print command is received from the content creation application 42 via the OS 41.

[0082] First, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the "Print" button displayed on the touch panel of the user IF 15 has been touched by the user (S91). If it is judged that the "Print" button has been touched (S91: YES), the preview image display and pop-up display displayed on the touch panel of the user IF 15 are closed (S92). Next, the CPU 11 sets the current print settings and individual print settings for the printer stored in the non-volatile memory 14. A print job including the data is sent (S93). The current print settings here refer to the print job Print settings included in the job, the unique print setting process shown in Figure 8, and the print screen display shown in Figure 11 Contains unique print settings selected by the user during processing.

[0083] Next, the printer name stored in the non-volatile memory 14 is input on the touch panel of the user IF 15. (S94), and then the print process is terminated. The process in S94 is an example of the display process. The process of S25 in the printer selection process, or the printer based on the unique print settings shown in FIG. In the printer selection process in steps S56 and S58, or in the print screen display process shown in FIG. In the process of S79, the printer name is stored in the non-volatile memory 14.

[0084] On the other hand, if it is determined in S91 that the "Print" button has not been touched (S91: NO ), then the CPU 11 determines whether or not the "Stop" button has been touched by the user. If it is determined that the "Stop" button has been touched (S95: YES), ), then the CPU 11 executes a print cancel process (S96), and thereafter ends this print process. do.

[0085] On the other hand, if it is determined in S95 that the "Cancel" button has not been touched (S95:N O) The CPU 11 returns to S91.

[0086] As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the unique print settings of the printers 2, 3, and 4 are Generate a union of print settings that includes the specified print settings, and then receive the settings of the unique print settings based on the union. This allows you to have more options for print settings, and when a print job is input, By determining the printer to which a print job is sent according to the settings of the unique print settings, When a printer-specific print setting is set, the printer that matches the print setting among multiple printers is selected. A print job is sent to the printer. This allows multiple printers 2, 3, and 4 to be connected. In such a printing system, the availability of the printer can be increased.

[0087] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the number of information processing devices and printers constituting this embodiment may be the same as that shown in FIG. This is not a limiting example. For example, the printer 2 does not have to be connected.

[0088] In this embodiment, in the response process shown in FIG. 9, in the process of S44, The print settings 51 are also collected in the process of S48. In this case, the printer capability information is sent to the content creation application 42 via the OS 41. However, the printer is not available in the S44 process by using the vendor area of ​​OS41. The general-purpose print settings 51 and the specific print settings 52 are also extracted in the process of S48. The print settings of the union of the general print settings 51 and the specific print settings 52 of the printer are set to OS4 The reply may be sent to the content creation application 42 via the application program 1.

[0089] In this embodiment, the printer capability acquisition process shown in FIG. 5 and the printer selection process shown in FIG. The process of selecting the printer's unique print settings shown in Figure 8, the process of answering shown in Figure 9, and the process of Printer selection processing based on unique print settings, print screen display processing shown in FIG. 11, and The printing process is realized by a management program 43 and a print server program 44. However, all or part of the processing is performed by the management program 43 and the print server. It may be realized by an application program separate from the server program 44.

[0090] In this embodiment, the printer name is displayed in S94 of the print process shown in FIG. However, the printer name may be displayed on the preview screen before the user touches the "Print" button displayed on the touch panel of the user IF 15 by the print screen display process shown in FIG.

[0091] In this embodiment, in the process of S57 of the printer selection process based on the unique print settings shown in FIG. 10, the printer is automatically selected based on a predetermined condition, but the user may be allowed to select the printer manually.

[0092] The processes disclosed in the present embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as ASIC, or a combination of these. The processes disclosed in the present embodiment may be realized in various forms, such as a recording medium having a program for executing the processes recorded thereon, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Information processing device 2, 3, 4 Printers 11 CPU 14 Non-volatile memory 16 Network Interface 17 USB-IF 41 OS 43 Management Program 44 Print Server Program 45 Driverless Printing Program 51 General Print Settings 52 Unique Print Settings 53 Union print settings

Claims

1. A printing program including a print server program executable by a computer of an information processing device and capable of being registered as a virtual printer in an operating system of the information processing device, The computer includes: a registration process for registering the print server program in the operating system of the information processing device as a virtual printer corresponding to a first printer connected to the information processing device and a second printer connected to the information processing device; a capability information acquisition process for acquiring first capability information from the first printer and acquiring second capability information from the second printer; a capability information response process that responds to a capability information inquiry from the operating system of the information processing device based on the first capability information and the second capability information acquired in the capability information acquisition process; a print job sending process for, when a print instruction is given to a general-purpose print program pre-installed in the operating system, specifying the print server program as an output destination, and a print job based on the print instruction is input from the operating system to the print server program, sending a first print job based on the print job to the first printer if it is determined that printing should be performed by the first printer, and sending a second print job based on the print job to the second printer if it is determined that printing should be performed by the second printer; Execute the A printing program comprising:

2. 2. The printing program according to claim 1, In the registration process, the print server program is registered in the operating system of the information processing apparatus as a single virtual printer corresponding to the first printer and the second printer; A printing program comprising:

3. 2. The printing program according to claim 1, The computer includes: executing a selection receiving process for receiving a selection of one of the first printer and the second printer; A printing program comprising:

4. 2. The printing program according to claim 1, The computer includes: execute a unique setting value receiving process for receiving a first unique setting value unique to the first printer based on the first capability information acquired in the capability information acquisition process, or a second unique setting value unique to the second printer based on the second capability information acquired in the capability information acquisition process; A printing program comprising:

5. 2. The printing program according to claim 1, The printing program comprises one management program and one print server program. A printing program comprising:

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