Printing system, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that a function sometimes cannot be used in the case of using a printer through a general purpose print service even in the function that can be provided by a printer driver designed to use an individual printer.SOLUTION: Setting information about printing is registered, and identification information of the registered setting information is transmitted to an information processing device in response to an acquisition request from the information processing device. Then, the setting information corresponding to the identification information is reflected in printing setting of a printing job and printing is performed when the printing job including the identification information is received from the information processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system. M and The present invention relates to a control method and a program for the same. [Background technology]

[0002] There are printing devices that are connected to a network and receive print data from an information processing device via the network to perform printing. It has been known that, in an information processing device, a printer driver (or a print application) designed for use with an individual printing device is used to generate print data to be sent to the printing device.

[0003] In recent years, it has become known that information processing devices generate print data without using a printer driver (or a print application) designed for use with an individual printing device. For example, print data is generated and sent to a printing device by a general-purpose print service provided as a function of the operating system (OS) of the information processing device or a general-purpose print service provided by a print server on the cloud. In such a general-purpose print service, a network protocol (IPP: Internet Printing Protocol) is implemented for sending print data to the printing device and executing printing, and the printing process is realized by the printing device and the information processing device communicating with each other according to this protocol.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that when an image is selected on the screen of a portable communication terminal device and an instruction is given to print, the device searches for nearby MFPs via NFC communication and displays a list of the searched MFPs.Then, based on protocol information from the selected MFP, a protocol suitable for transmitting image data is selected and the image data for printing is transmitted.

[0005] It is desirable for print servers and information processing devices that provide general-purpose print services in compliance with standards such as IPP to support various types of printing devices. Therefore, in order to support the different functions and specifications of each printing device, the information processing device that uses the general-purpose print service needs to manage the configuration information of the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-187571 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When an information processing device generates print data using a general-purpose print service such as IPP, the print data is generated based on the configuration information of the printing device. However, in the general-purpose print service, print settings are made on a print job setting screen common to different types of printers in order to support various printing devices. For this reason, the user may not necessarily be able to make the print settings he or she wants to use. In particular, finishing processes provided individually by printer vendors (for example, puncher standards, folding standards, and special binding standards that are unique to each region) may not be able to be set from the print setting screen provided by the general-purpose print service. Therefore, even if a function was provided to a user by a printer driver (or print application) designed to use an individual printing device, the function may not be available when the printer is used via a general-purpose print service. In addition, functions such as favorite print settings used for routine work that were provided by conventional printer drivers may not be available when the printer is used via a general-purpose print service.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems in the prior art described above.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for improving convenience when printing via a general-purpose print service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: a storage means for storing setting values ​​of a plurality of setting items related to printing in association with one identifier; a transmission means for transmitting the one identifier and the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items stored in the storage means; a control means for controlling the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items registered in the storage means in association with the one identifier so as not to include a predetermined set of setting values; death, The predetermined set of setting values ​​is a set of setting values ​​that cannot be set simultaneously as processing settings for one print job. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention , General When printing via a print service for Increase the convenience of This has the effect of making it possible.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar features throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the software configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when an information processing apparatus causes an MFP to print in the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are views for explaining a specific example of a management table of print presets stored in a print preset storage unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining an example of a request to acquire information on printer capability information and print preset identifiers between the information processing apparatus and the MFP according to the first embodiment, and an example of a response thereto. [Figure 7A] 5A to 5C are views showing an example of a UI screen when registering a print preset in the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] 5A to 5C are views showing an example of a UI screen when registering a print preset in the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 7C is a flowchart illustrating processing by the MFP for saving print presets input to the MFP by a user of the information processing apparatus by operating the UI screens of FIGS. 7A and 7B. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the MFP according to the first embodiment receives and prints a print job. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the process of reflecting the print preset in the print data in step S1006 of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] On a LAN (Local Area Network) 100, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101 and an AP (Access Point) 102 are connected to be able to communicate with each other. In the first embodiment, as an example of a printing device, the MFP 101 having a scan function, a print function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a box function, and the like will be described as an example. Also, as an example of an information processing device, mobile terminals 103 and 104 such as a tablet and a smartphone will be described as an example. In the following description, the tablet 103 and the smartphone 104 will be collectively referred to as an information processing device. This information processing device can communicate with the MFP 101 on the LAN 100 via the AP 102. In the first embodiment, the above configuration example will be described as an example of a printing system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one or more information processing devices and a printing device are connected to be able to communicate with each other via a network. Also, the network may be wireless or wired. First, we will explain the MFP 101. This MFP 101 has a reading function for reading an image on a document and a printing function for printing the image on a sheet (recording medium). The MFP 101 can execute a printing process based on print data received via a network.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] The MFP 101 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet, and a printing function for printing an image on a sheet. The MFP 101 also has a file transmission function for transmitting an image to an external information processing device. Note that in the first embodiment, the MFP 101 is described as an example of a printing device, but is not limited to this. For example, the printing device may be an SFP (Single Function Peripheral) or the like that does not have a reading function.

[0019] A control unit 210 including a central processing unit (CPU) 211 controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 211 loads a program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 212 or a storage 214 into a RAM 213, and executes the program to perform various controls such as print control and read control. The ROM 212 stores a control program executable by the CPU 211, a boot program, and the like. The random access memory (RAM) 213 is the main memory of the CPU 211, and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for loading various control programs. The storage 214 stores print data, image data, various programs, and various setting information. In the first embodiment, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) is assumed as the storage 214, but a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) may also be used.

[0020] In the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment, one CPU 211 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described later using one memory (RAM 213), but other configurations are also possible. For example, a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages may work together to execute each process shown in the flowcharts described later. Also, some of the processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0021] An operation unit interface (I / F) 215 connects an operation unit 216 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 216 is provided with a display unit having a touch panel function and various hard keys, and functions as a display unit that displays information and a reception unit that receives user instructions. A reading unit I / F 217 connects a reading unit (scanner) 218 ​​and the control unit 210. The reading unit 218 reads a document and generates image data. The generated image data is stored in a storage 214 or a RAM 213. The image data generated by the reading unit 218 is sent to an information processing device or used to print an image on a sheet. A printing unit I / F 219 connects a printing unit (printer engine) 220 and the control unit 210. Image data generated by analyzing a print job received from an information processing device is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printing unit 220 via the printing unit I / F 219. The printing unit 220 receives a control command and a print job to be printed via the control unit 210, and prints an image on a sheet fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown) based on the print job. The printing method of the printing unit 220 may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Other printing methods such as a thermal transfer method can also be applied. The control unit 210 is also connected to the LAN 100 via a communication unit I / F 223. The communication unit I / F 223 transmits image data and information to an information processing device on the LAN 100, and receives print jobs and information from an information processing device on the LAN 100.

[0022] The image processing unit 224 has a function of a RIP (Raster Image Processor) that develops a print job received via the LAN 100 and generates image data to be used for printing. The image processing unit 224 can also convert the resolution of image data obtained by developing the print job and perform correction processing. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the image processing unit 224 is realized by a hardware circuit (such as an ASIC or an FPGA), but this is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 101 may further include a processor for image processing, and the processor may execute an image processing program to realize image processing and development processing into print data. In this case, the processor and the CPU 211 cooperate to realize a flowchart to be described later. Furthermore, the CPU 211 may execute a program for performing image processing, and the image processing and development processing into print data may be performed. Image processing may also be performed by any combination of these.

[0023] The sheet processing unit I / F 221 connects the control unit 210 and the sheet processing unit 222. The sheet processing unit 222 receives a control command from the control unit 210 and performs post-processing on the sheets printed by the printing unit 220 according to the control command. For example, the sheet processing unit 222 executes post-processing such as aligning a plurality of sheets, punching holes in the sheets, and binding the plurality of sheets. The sheet processing unit 222 according to the first embodiment can perform two types of binding processing. One is a binding processing in which a staple is used to bind the sheets (hereinafter, staple binding), and in this staple binding, a staple can be used to bind the plurality of sheets. The other is a binding processing in which a staple is not used to bind the sheets (hereinafter, stapleless binding). In the stapleless binding processing, a special blade is pressed against the sheets to press the plurality of sheets together, thereby binding the plurality of sheets together, or a hole is made in a bundle of a plurality of sheets, and the sheets are folded back to be bound. The stapleless binding processing does not require consumables such as staples, so the binding processing can be performed without being aware of the cost of consumables. However, the stapleless binding process has a lower upper limit on the number of sheets that can be bound (for example, about 5 to 10 sheets) compared to the binding process that uses staples to bind sheets. The post-processing functions and post-processing capabilities of the sheet processing unit 222 are notified to the control unit 210 in advance (for example, when the MFP 101 is started) via the sheet processing unit I / F 221 and stored in the storage 214 or the RAM 213.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the software configuration of the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment 1. Note that, in the present embodiment 1, each functional block shown in Fig. 3 is achieved by the CPU 211 executing a program loaded in the RAM 213.

[0025] The IPP print service control unit 315 notifies the information processing device of a search identifier for searching for print presets stored in the print preset storage unit 304 and printer configuration information acquired from the engine control unit 314 as "printer information". The print presets include print specifications such as color, monochrome, single-sided / double-sided, and N-up, and post-processing specifications such as binding, punching, and folding. The search identifier is the identifier (owner identification information) of the user who registered the print preset in the MFP 101. The printer configuration information is function information of the printer (here, the MFP 101). In the case of an MFP shared by multiple people, many print presets will be registered in the MFP. Then, when the information processing device receives a printer search and capability acquisition request, the IPP print service control unit 315 searches for the identifier of the print preset to be notified based on the owner identification information of the information processing device included in the request. Then, the matching print preset is notified to the information processing device that made the request. The method of notifying the print preset extracted using the owner identification information is realized by the IPP printer search and response protocol. Furthermore, when the IPP print service control unit 315 receives a print job based on the IPP standard from an information processing device via the network, it passes the print job to the print job generating unit 302 .

[0026] The UI control unit 301 displays a print preset registration UI screen, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. After a user logs in, the user can save desired print preset information in the print preset storage unit 304, and display, edit, delete, and the like. The UI control unit 301 also acquires information about the status of a print job being processed from the job control unit 307, and displays the print job processing status on the UI screen. The print job generation unit 302 receives a print job from an information processing device via the IPP print service control unit 315, writes the job in the data reception control unit 305, and registers the job as a new job in the job control unit 307, and requests the start of print processing. If the received print job is an IPP print job, the print job generation unit 302 passes print setting information to be applied to the print job to the job attribute storage unit 308 via the mobile job setting update unit 303. The print job generation unit 302 writes data of a print job other than IPP directly to the job attribute storage unit 308.

[0027] Mobile job setting update unit 303 is called via print job generation unit 302 and searches for a print preset identifier included in the IPP header of the received print job. If a print preset identifier is embedded in the IPP header, the identifier is used to search for data in print preset storage unit 304 and acquire a print preset corresponding to the identifier. When mobile job setting update unit 303 acquires the corresponding print setting information from the print preset identifier, it sets the acquired print preset in job attribute storage unit 308.

[0028] 7A and 7B, in the storage 214. Furthermore, when a saved print preset is updated, the print preset saving unit 304 notifies the IPP print service control unit 315 of the update details. Upon receiving a print preset update notification, the IPP print service control unit 315 notifies the information processing device on the network of the update of the printer information (print preset and preset identifier) ​​using the IPP protocol.

[0029] The data reception control unit 305 is a buffer area for print jobs received by the print job generation unit 302, and temporarily stores each print job in the storage 214. When the job control unit 307 instructs the PDL analysis unit 306 to perform PDL analysis processing for the print job, the PDL analysis unit 306 requests the print job from the data reception control unit 305. In response to this, the data reception control unit 305 passes the data of the print job to the PDL analysis unit 306.

[0030] When a print job is registered from print job generation unit 302, job control unit 307 stores attribute information of the print job in job attribute storage unit 308. Job control unit 307 also instructs PDL analysis unit 306 to analyze the print job, and causes page control unit 309 and page attribute storage unit 311 to store page data on a page-by-page basis. The page data created by PDL analysis unit 306 is stored in page control unit 309 and page attribute storage unit 311 sequentially for each page.

[0031] The job attribute storage unit 308 stores attribute information of the print job. This attribute information includes information set as a job attribute of the IPP, such as "number of copies," and information set based on a print preset, such as "Nup (multiple printing)," "print side (single-sided / double-sided) setting," "color / monochrome mode," and "finishing setting." It also includes information set by the PDL analysis unit 306, such as information on text objects in a page. All of these are managed by the job attribute storage unit 308 in association with a job ID. The page control unit 309 controls the page analysis process of the PDL analysis unit 306, the RIP process of the RIP control unit 313, and the print control process of the print control unit 312. The print control unit 312 acquires RIP-processed image data from the page storage unit 310, separates the image data into CMYK, and transfers it to the engine control unit 314. The engine control unit 314 receives CMYK image data for each page from the print control unit 312, and controls the print unit 220 to perform print processing for each page.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when an information processing apparatus causes the MFP 101 to print in the printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0033] In S401, a user of the information processing apparatus registers a print preset via a UI screen (FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the operation unit 216 of the MFP 101. It is assumed that an individual print preset can be registered for each user in the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment. The registered contents at this time are stored in the print preset storage unit 304 together with an owner name (owner identification information) for identifying the user. A specific example of this registration is shown in the management table of FIG.

[0034] After this registration, in step S402, the user causes the information processing device to send a printer search request using the IPP protocol. This search request includes owner identification information (601 in FIG. 6) that is the identifier of the user.

[0035] Upon receiving this search request, in S403, the MFP 101 searches for registered print presets using the owner identification information included in the search request. Then, in S404, the MFP 101 returns the search results (identifiers of print presets with matching owner identification information) and configuration information of the MFP 101 to the information processing device using the IPP protocol (610 in FIG. 6). As a result, in S405, the information processing device holds the identifiers of print presets individual to each user and the printer configuration information sent from the MFP 101 using the IPP protocol. Details of this will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0036] Next, in S406, when the user of the information processing device displays the print screen (901 in FIG. 9) on the information processing device, the print preset identifier (921 in FIG. 9) saved in S405 is displayed in the print dialog. This print preset identifier list is different for each user. Details of this will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0037] Next, in S407, the user of the information processing apparatus selects the identifier of a print preset registered in the MFP 101 and presses the print button (905 in FIG. 9). As a result, in S408, the information processing apparatus transmits a print job with the identifier of the print preset to the MFP 101.

[0038] In response to this, in S409, the MFP 101 obtains the setting information of the print preset registered in S401 from the identifier of the print preset assigned to the print job, and obtains print settings for the print job according to the setting information of the print preset. Then, in S410, the MFP 101 executes printing based on the print job according to the print settings.

[0039] The following steps S411 to S417 show the process steps when the user of the information processing device updates the print preset of the MFP 101 after a certain time. When the MFP 101 detects an update of the print preset by the user in S411, in S412, the MFP 101 transmits a print preset update notification including an owner identifier to the information processing device. Then, in S413, the information processing device compares the owner identification information of the updated print preset with the owner information of the information processing device. If the owner identification information of the updated print preset matches the owner information of the information processing device, the process proceeds to S414. On the other hand, if the owner identification information of the updated print preset does not match the owner information of the information processing device, the information processing device determines that the update is not directed to itself, and does not perform the print preset update process.

[0040] Next, in S414, the information processing apparatus transmits a request to MFP 101 to acquire a printing preset identifier. This acquisition request includes the owner identifier of the information processing apparatus. Upon receiving the request to acquire the printing preset identifier, MFP 101 searches for a printing preset corresponding to the owner identifier included in the request to acquire the printing preset identifier in S415. In S416, MFP 101 transmits to the information processing apparatus the printing preset identifier corresponding to the owner identifier found in the search in S415. As a result, in S417, the information processing apparatus updates the printing preset identifier stored as the print setting with the printing preset identifier received from MFP 101.

[0041] When the print preset is updated in the MFP 101 through the processes of S411 to S417 described above, the MFP 101 notifies the information processing device of the update. If the general-purpose print service of the information processing device determines that the updated print preset is a print preset that it requires, it can reacquire the print preset.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of print presets that the print preset saving unit 304 of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment saves in the storage 214. In FIG.

[0043] Reference numeral 501 denotes an item that is an identifier of a print preset, and in this case includes "quotation," "declaration," "accounting," "drawing," "catalog," and "DM (direct mail)." Reference numeral 502 denotes the identification information (owner name) of the owner who registered the print preset. When a user operates the UI screen of the operation unit 216 of the MFP 101 to register one piece of preset information, one row of data in this management table is saved.

[0044] In the example of Fig. 5, the print presets include setting information such as color / monochrome printing, print side (single-sided / double-sided), Nup, whether or not to bind (staple-stitched, stapleless-stitched), punching, and folding. Furthermore, Nup includes the type, binding includes the respective binding positions, punching includes the presence or absence of punching, the number and positions of holes, and folding includes the presence or absence of folding, the type of folding, etc. Note that each setting shown in 505 to 510 in Fig. 5 is an example, and can be appropriately changed based on the printing capabilities and post-processing capabilities of MFP 101. For example, in the case of a monochrome MFP, it is possible to make it impossible to register color as a print preset.

[0045] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example of a UI screen when registering a print preset in the MFP 101 according to embodiment 1. This screen is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 216 by the UI control unit 301, and values ​​set by the user are acquired via this screen.

[0046] First, a process when a user registers a print preset in the MFP 101 will be described. First, a login screen 700 is displayed on the operation unit 216, where the user presses a login button 712 on a preset list screen 710 in FIG. 7A. The user inputs a user name 701 and a password 702 via this screen and presses an OK button 703. If the information input here matches the information registered in advance in the MFP 101, the user can log in to the MFP 101. After logging in, the user can add, edit, delete, and the like of a print preset via the list screen 710. If a print preset is registered after the user logs in, the user who logged in becomes the owner of the print preset, and only the owner can use the print preset from the information processing device. The owner name of the print preset is held in the owner identifier 504 of the table in FIG. 5.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a flowchart explaining the processing of MFP 101 for saving print presets input to MFP 101 by a user of the information processing device by operating the UI screens of Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by CPU 211 executing a program loaded in RAM 213. Therefore, in the following explanation of Fig. 8, the subject of each step will be explained as CPU 211.

[0048] Hereinafter, a description will be given in order of Figure 5, Figure 7A, Figure 7B, and Figure 8. A list screen 710 in Figure 7A is a screen that displays a list of presets of print settings.

[0049] First, in S801, when the CPU 211 detects that the user has pressed the Add button 711 on the list screen 710, the process proceeds to S802, where the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 720 of FIG. 7A on the operation unit 216. This preset registration screen 720 is a screen for inputting a "registration name" that serves as an identifier for the print preset. In the case of a print preset shared by all users, the user inputs the registration name and presses the "Next" button 721. The name of the print preset and the user identification information input on this preset registration screen 720 correspond to the preset identifier 503 and the owner identifier 504 in the management table of FIG. 5. Here, when the user inputs the registration name and then presses the "Next" button 721, the process proceeds to S803, where the CPU 211 displays the preset registration screen 730 of FIG. 7B on the operation unit 216. The following processing in S803 to S810 is processing for acquiring the setting contents of each item of the print preset selected by the user via the preset registration screens 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, and 780 in FIG. 7B.

[0050] In S803, the preset registration screen 730 when the print mode 731 is selected is displayed on the operation unit 216. Here, the print mode of color printing or monochrome printing selected by the user on the preset registration screen 730 is acquired. The setting value of the print mode selected here corresponds to the color printing 505 in the management table in FIG. 5.

[0051] Next, when print side 741 is selected, the process proceeds to S804, and the CPU 211 displays a preset registration screen 740 on the operation unit 216. In this preset registration screen 740, either one side or both sides can be selected as the print side setting, and the CPU 211 acquires the setting value of the print side selected here. This setting value corresponds to print side 506 in the management table.

[0052] Next, when Nup751 is selected, the process proceeds to S805, and the CPU 211 displays a preset registration screen 750 on the operation unit 216. Then, the CPU 211 acquires the Nup setting, which indicates how many pages are to be reduced and printed on one sheet of paper, set on this preset registration screen 750. This setting value corresponds to Nup507 in the management table.

[0053] Next, in S806 to S808, binding settings are performed. Here, the user can select whether to perform stapleless binding or staple binding, as well as the binding position and number of staples. When the binding 761 is selected, the process proceeds to S806, where the CPU 211 displays a preset registration screen 760 on the operation unit 216. On the preset registration screen 760, the user can select whether to perform binding, and when performing binding, whether to perform staple binding or stapleless binding. When performing binding, the closing position can be selected, for example, upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right, etc., and the CPU 211 acquires these setting values. This setting value corresponds to the binding 508 in the management table. When the staple binding is selected in S806, the process proceeds to S807, where the CPU 211 acquires the staple binding selected by the user and its binding position, and advances the process to S809. On the other hand, if stapleless binding is selected in S806, the process proceeds to S808, where the CPU 211 acquires the stapleless binding selected by the user and its closing position, and proceeds to S809. These setting values ​​correspond to the binding 508 in the management table. Although not shown in the flowchart, if the user selects not to perform binding, the process proceeds from S806 to S809.

[0054] Next, when punch 771 is selected, in S809, the CPU 211 displays a preset registration screen 770 on the operation unit 216. Here, the user can specify whether or not to perform punching, and if so, the number and position of holes. The CPU 211 obtains the setting information set on the preset registration screen 770. The value set here corresponds to punch 509 in the management table.

[0055] Next, when fold 781 is selected, in S810, the CPU 211 displays a preset registration screen 780 on the operation unit 216. Here, the user can set whether or not to fold and the type of fold. In this way, the CPU 211 obtains the information on the fold that has been set. The value set here corresponds to fold 510 in the management table.

[0056] The processes of S803 to S810 can be freely moved back and forth during the setting by pressing the tab buttons 731, 741, 751, 761, 771, and 781 on the preset registration screen. When the setting is completed and the save button 732 is pressed on the preset registration screen, the process proceeds to S811, where the CPU 211 performs an exclusive check between the setting items. If there is no problem in this exclusive check, the process proceeds to S812, where the CPU 211 saves the setting values ​​in the management table (saved in the storage 214) of FIG. 5. If there is a problem in the exclusive check in S811, a message to that effect is displayed as in a preset registration error screen 790. This allows the user to perform the processes of S803 to S810 again and redo the setting. This prevents the user from setting an incorrect print preset. Before saving the selected content in S812, a confirmation screen including an illustration for confirming the print finish may be displayed. In this case, if the MFP 101 receives a user instruction on the confirmation screen indicating that the settings are OK, the process proceeds to step S812. On the other hand, if the MFP 101 receives a user instruction indicating that the settings should be redone, the process proceeds to step S803, allowing each setting to be redone.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a request to acquire information on printer capability information and print preset identifiers between the information processing apparatus and the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment, and a response thereto. In the acquisition request message 600 sent from the information processing device to the MFP 101, it is desired to acquire only information related to the identifiers of the print presets registered by the user of the information processing device that issued the request. For this reason, information related to an owner identifier 601 that represents the user of the information processing device as the owner of the print presets is included. This message 600 requests information related to the identifiers of the print presets that correspond to the owner identifier "suzuki".

[0058] Message 610 includes a printer capability response sent from MFP 101 to the information processing device, and information about the print preset identifier included in the capability response. Numeral 611 indicates a plurality of print presets in a list structure, and includes identifiers 612 of the individual print presets, and owner information 613 of the print presets. Message 610 illustrates an example of a capability response to message 600. In message 610, it can be seen that three print presets specified by the owner identifier "suzuki" are registered in MFP 101, and the identifiers of the respective print presets are "quotation", "application form", and "drawing". A message 620 shows an example of print job data that is generated by an information processing apparatus and transmitted to the MFP 101. Here, the job attributes include a print preset identifier 621 and a print preset owner identifier 622.

[0059] When the mobile job setting update unit 303 of the MFP 101 receives this print job, it searches the print preset storage unit 304 using the print preset identifier 621 as a search key, obtains the print preset corresponding to the preset identifier 621 (here, "quotation") whose owner identifier is "suzuki", and performs the print process.

[0060] For example, if the management table in Figure 5 is registered, this quotation will be printed in color, 1-in-1, single-sided, with the upper left corner of the printed paper stapled and ejected without punching or folding.

[0061] Next, print settings in a general-purpose print service will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0062] A screen 901 shows a print dialogue called up from an application of an information processing apparatus. When this screen 901 is first displayed, the printer (MFP) to be used for printing has not been selected, so the printer display field 906 and the contents of the print preset identifier 902 are not displayed. Next, when the user presses a printer search button 903 on this screen, the screen transitions to a printing device selection screen 910. While this selection screen 910 is displayed, the information processing apparatus transmits a search packet for searching for a printing device (MFP) on the LAN 100 (S402 in FIG. 4). Here, when the MFP 101 returns a response in S404 in FIG. 4, information on the MFP 101 that returned a response (S404) to the information processing apparatus is displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus. The screen 910 illustrates an example in which three printing devices are found. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed here that 911 is a printing device corresponding to the MFP 101.

[0063] When the user selects any printing device (here, "Printer(1)") via this selection screen 910, the screen returns to screen 901, and the printer identifier "Printer(1)" is displayed in a printer display field 906. Also, based on the print preset identifier information received from the MFP 101, a navigation button 904 to an identifier selection screen 920 is displayed (S405 / 406). Then, when navigation button 904 is pressed on this selection screen 901, the screen transitions to screen 920, and a list 921 of print preset identifiers available for use with the selected printing device (MFP) is displayed.

[0064] If the user identifier is "suzuki", then "quotation" 521, "declaration" 522, and "drawings" 524 are stored as print presets for "suzuki" owner identifier 504 stored in the management table (FIG. 5) of print preset storage unit 304. Therefore, as shown in list 921 of print preset selection screen 920 by preset identifier, "quotation", "declaration", and "drawings" are displayed.

[0065] Here, the user selects one print preset identifier (here, "quote") on the print preset selection screen 920 (S407), and the screen of the information processing device returns to screen 901. At this time, on screen 901, the selected printer identifier "Printer(1)" and "quote" as the print preset are displayed in printer display field 906. When the user presses print button 905 in this state, a print job with the print preset identifier embedded is sent from the information processing device to MFP 101 (S408). Then, on MFP 101, the quotation is printed in color, 1 in 1, on one side, and the upper left corner of the printed paper is stapled and discharged without punching or folding.

[0066] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment receives and prints a print job. Note that the process shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 211 executing a program loaded in the RAM 213. Therefore, in the following explanation of Fig. 8, the subject of each step will be explained as the CPU 211.

[0067] First, in S1001, the CPU 211 receives a print job sent from an information processing device, and in S1002, the received print job is stored in the storage 214. Next, the process proceeds to S1003, where the CPU 211 analyzes the IPP header of the print job and determines whether or not a print preset identifier is included. If it is determined that the print preset identifier is included, the process proceeds to S1004, and if not, the process proceeds to S1007.

[0068] In S1004, the CPU 211 searches for a print preset registered in the storage 214, for example, in the management table of FIG. 5, based on the identifier of the print preset included in the print job and the owner identification information of the print job. Then, the process proceeds to S1005, where the CPU 211 determines whether a print preset that matches the identifier of the print preset included in the print job and the owner identification information of the print job is registered. If it is determined that a matching print preset is registered, the process proceeds to S1006, but if not, the process proceeds to S1010, where error processing is performed and the process ends. In this error processing, for example, a message indicating that a corresponding print preset does not exist is displayed on the operation unit 216, and an error response is returned to the information processing device that is the source of the print job.

[0069] In step S1006, the CPU 211 creates print setting information that reflects the matching print preset. This process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0070] Next, the process proceeds to S1007, where the CPU 211 analyzes the PDL data included in the print job, and in S1008 executes RIP processing to develop the data into bitmap data. Then, the process proceeds to S1009, where the developed page data is output to the printing unit 220 for printing. In this print process, printing is performed according to the print specifications in which the print preset in S1006 is reflected. Then, the process proceeds to S1010, where the CPU 211 determines whether printing up to the last page is complete or not, and returns to S1007 if printing is not complete, and repeats the above-mentioned process. In this way, when printing of the print data specified in the print job is completed, this process ends. Note that, if post-processing such as binding, punching, and folding is set for the printed matter, the CPU 211 executes post-processing for the printed sheets in addition to the print process in the process of S1009. In this case, the CPU 211 executes post-processing for the sheets in cooperation with the printing unit 220 and the sheet processing unit 222.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the process of reflecting the print preset in the print data in S1006 of FIG.

[0072] First, in S1101, the CPU 211 reflects color print settings 505 (FIG. 5) corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the above-mentioned print preset identifier is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "color" is set according to FIG. 5. Next, the process proceeds to S1102, where the CPU 211 reflects print side settings 506 corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the above-mentioned print preset identifier is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "single-sided" is set according to FIG. 5. Next, the process proceeds to S1103, where the CPU 211 reflects Nup settings 507 corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the above-mentioned print preset identifier is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "1 in 1" is set according to FIG. Next, the process proceeds to S1104, where the CPU 211 reflects binding settings 508 corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the identifier of the print preset described above is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", the binding position is set to "stapleless binding" and "upper left" as shown in FIG. 5. Next, the process proceeds to S1105, where the CPU 211 reflects the punch setting 509 corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the identifier of the print preset described above is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "no punch" is set as shown in FIG. 5. Next, the process proceeds to S1106, where the CPU 211 reflects the folding setting 510 corresponding to the owner identification information and the print preset identifier. For example, if the identifier of the print preset described above is "quote" and the owner identification information is "suzuki", "no folding" is set as shown in FIG. 5. Finally, the process proceeds to S1107, where the CPU 211 checks whether there is any inconsistency due to the combination of the setting values ​​of the IPP job, such as the number of copies to be printed, and the setting values ​​overwritten by the print preset, and if there is no problem, the updated print setting is overwritten and saved in the storage 214. If an inconsistency occurs, the inconsistency may be displayed on the operation unit 216 or may be notified to the information processing device that is the sender.

[0073] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a user registers a print preset in the MFP 101 in advance, and the identifier of the registered print preset is notified to the information processing device operated by the user together with printer capability information of the IPP protocol. This allows the user of the information processing device to simply select the identifier of the print preset from the UI screen and issue a print instruction, and have the print job reflected without setting a complex print preset, thereby allowing printing. This makes it possible to easily obtain printed material with complex print specifications even from a mobile terminal such as the tablet 103 or the smartphone 104.

[0074] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the case where the identifier of the print preset is notified to the information processing apparatus as printer capability information of the IPP protocol has been described. In contrast to this, in the second embodiment, the MFP 101 notifies the information processing apparatus of information indicating the print settings corresponding to the preset illustrated in FIG. 5 (also called print attributes) in addition to the identifier of the print preset. Furthermore, when the identifier of the print preset is selected from the print dialogue, the information processing apparatus reflects the information indicating the contents of the preset in the current print settings. That is, the printing system of the second embodiment provides a mechanism for reflecting the contents corresponding to the preset on the print setting screen of the information processing apparatus in response to receiving a user operation to select a preset via the print dialogue. This process allows the contents of the print preset to be confirmed from the print dialogue on the information processing apparatus. Note that the hardware configuration of the apparatus that is the premise of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0075] A specific control method in the second embodiment will be described below. When the MFP 101 transmits a capability response including the configuration information and identification information exemplified in S404 of Fig. 4 to the information processing apparatus, the MFP 101 transmits a capability response to which print settings (also called print attributes) corresponding to the preset identification information are added. The difference between the capability response in the first embodiment and the capability response in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0076] The MFP 101 according to the second embodiment notifies the information processing apparatus of a print preset including the print attributes of each preset illustrated in Fig. 5 in addition to the print preset identifier 612 and the print preset owner information 613. That is, the print preset with the name "quotation" is added with attributes such as "color, 1 in 1, single-sided printing, stapleless binding at the top left of the paper" illustrated in 521 of Fig. 5. Also, the print preset with the name "application form" is added with attributes such as "monochrome, 2 in 1, double-sided printing" explained in 522 of Fig. 5. Also, the print preset with the name "drawing" is added with attributes such as "monochrome, 1 in 1, single-sided, binding at two places on the left of the paper, Z-fold" illustrated in 524 of Fig. 5.

[0077] Next, a setting reflection process performed when the information processing apparatus accepts a user operation to select a preset via the print dialogue will be described with reference to FIG.

[0078] Fig. 12 shows an example of a screen that the processor of the information processing device 103 or 104 displays on the operation unit of the information processing device. A screen 1210 shows a print dialog called up from an application of the information processing device. The printer search and the processing performed when the print button is pressed are similar to the processing described in Fig. 9 of the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted. For the sake of explanation, an example will be described in which "Printer(1)" is selected by a user operation, but a print preset is not selected.

[0079] When a printer is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing apparatus displays a guidance button 1211 on a screen 1210. When the guidance button 1211 is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing apparatus transitions the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing apparatus to a screen 1230. The screen 1230 is the same as the screen 910 in the first embodiment, and is a screen for selecting a preset to be used from a list of presets. When a user operation to select any item from the list of presets displayed on the screen 1230 is accepted, the processor of the information processing apparatus transitions the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing apparatus to a screen 1240. For the sake of explanation, an example will be described in which "Drawing" is selected from the list. The processor of the information processing apparatus changes the print settings displayed in the print dialog based on attributes such as "monochrome, 1 in 1, single-sided printing, binding two places on the left side of the paper, Z-folding" corresponding to the print preset of "Drawing".

[0080] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 12, the processor of the information processing device displays information 1241 indicating that the print settings based on the presets have been reflected on the screen 1240. The information 1241 is displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) after transition to the screen 1240. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the processor fades out the display of the information 1241 from the screen 1240.

[0081] The option button 1242 is a button used when checking and changing the current print settings. When the option button 1242 is selected by a user operation, the processor of the information processing apparatus transitions the screen displayed on the operation unit of the information processing apparatus to a setting screen 1250. An area 1251 of the setting screen 1250 is an area for checking and changing the current print settings. Here, the print settings reflecting the print preset of "Drawing" are illustrated. By the above-mentioned reflection process, monochrome is set in the color mode setting 1252, and OFF is set in the double-sided printing setting 1253. In addition, 1 in 1 is set in the Nup setting 1254, and double, which indicates two-point binding, is set in the binding setting 1255. Furthermore, OFF is set in the punch setting 1256, and ON is set in the folding setting 1257.

[0082] In this way, in the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for reflecting the contents of the preset selected by the user in the print settings and allowing the user to check the contents of the preset settings. Since the print processing after the preset is selected is the same as S407 to S410 in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] In the second embodiment, the print settings reflected based on the print preset selected by the user operation via the area 1251 are changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a print preset is selected, the information processing device may prohibit the print settings from being changed. Also, attribute information indicating whether or not the settings are allowed to be changed can be added to each print preset. For example, when an attribute that the print service cannot interpret (e.g., stapleless binding) is set as the attribute of the print preset, the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 stores the print preset to which information indicating that the settings are not allowed to be changed is added. Also, the print preset including the above-mentioned information is sent in response to the capability response to the information processing device.

[0084] In this case, when a print preset is specified and the print preset is set to not allow changes to the preset settings, the processor of the information processing device prohibits changes to the settings via the area 1251. This process can suppress changes to the settings on the print service side in cases such as when an attribute that is not supported by the print service of the information processing device is set in the print preset. In this case, in addition to the information 1241, information indicating that changes to the settings of the print preset are prohibited may be displayed. On the other hand, when a print preset is specified and the preset settings are set to allow changes, the processor of the information processing device controls to accept changes to the settings via the area 1251.

[0085] <Modification> In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a print preset and its identifier are registered in advance in the MFP, so that printing can be achieved with print settings desired by the user even from a general-purpose print service. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, in an MFP having a hot folder with print settings (a standby shared folder for print jobs provided by the MFP), the "folder name" of the hot folder may be sent to the identifier of the printer capability response included in message 610 in FIG. 6. In this case, when the MFP determines that a print job received by IPP includes a hot folder identifier, it stores the received print job in the hot folder specified by the identifier. Then, the MFP may overwrite the print settings set in the hot folder in which the print job is stored with the print settings of the print job, and then execute the print process from S1007 onward.

[0086] In the above embodiment, when the printer capability notification is performed by the general-purpose print service described in S402 to S404 in FIG. 4, the print presets are narrowed down based on the owner identification information received from the general-purpose print service in S402. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer capability response including identifiers of all registered print presets may be returned. In this case, in order to prevent many print presets from being displayed on the print preset selection screen 920 in FIG. 9, for example, a limit may be set on the number of print presets that the MFP can store (for example, an upper limit of 10).

[0087] The present invention can also be applied to a case where the owner identification information transmitted by the general-purpose print service is different from the identification information of the user who registers the print preset (information for identifying the user of the MFP). In this case, the administrator of the MFP registers the correspondence between the owner identification information transmitted by the general-purpose print service and the identification information of the user who uses the MFP 101 via a user management screen (not shown). The correspondence registered via the user management screen is stored in a user DB, a table, or the like. In this case, the general-purpose print service transmits a unique identifier (such as a device serial number or a wireless LAN MAC address) possessed by the information processing device instead of the owner identification information transmitted to the MFP in S402 or S413. The MFP 101 uses the correspondence stored in the user DB, a table, or the like in the process of S403 or S415 to identify the user of the MFP 101 associated with the unique identifier received from the information processing device. The MFP 101 returns a list of identifiers of print presets registered by the identified user to the information processing device.

[0088] The general-purpose print service in the above embodiment is assumed to be, for example, a print service conforming to IPP or a print service based on the IPP mechanism with unique extensions added. For example, it can be applied to a general-purpose print application or print service pre-installed on the OS of an information processing device. It can also be applied to a print service or print application that supports printing devices from multiple vendors.

[0089] In the above embodiment, when the MFP 101 receives a print job including an identifier of a print preset, the print settings of the print job are overwritten with the attributes of the corresponding print preset. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The attributes of the corresponding print preset can be compared with the print settings included in the received print job to enable overriding of the print settings. For example, even if single-sided printing is set as an attribute of the print preset selected by the user, if double-sided printing is explicitly specified via the print dialogue, the double-sided printing specified by the user can be controlled to be prioritized. In this case, if there is a print setting explicitly specified in the print job in the reflection process described in S1101 to S1106, the print setting may be prioritized.

[0090] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a printed material to which complex print settings have been applied without impairing the ease of printing from a communication terminal such as a mobile device.

[0091] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 101...MFP, 103...tablet, 104...smartphone, 211...CPU, 213...RAM, 214...storage, 216...operation unit

Claims

1. a storage means for storing setting values ​​of a plurality of setting items related to printing in association with one identifier; a transmission means for transmitting the one identifier and the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items stored in the storage means; a control means for controlling the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items registered in the storage means in association with the one identifier so as not to include a predetermined set of setting values, A printing system, wherein the predetermined set of setting values ​​is a set of setting values ​​that cannot be set simultaneously as processing settings for one print job.

2. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits the one identifier and the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items in accordance with a predetermined protocol.

3. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined protocol is the Internet Printing Protocol.

4. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items is a setting value that cannot be interpreted by a predetermined print service that operates on the information processing apparatus.

5. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the setting value that cannot be interpreted by the predetermined print service is a setting value that enables a function for binding paper without using staples.

6. 6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the one identifier includes a character string set by a user.

7. 7. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays a screen for accepting settings of the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items.

8. A method for controlling a printing system, comprising: a storage step of storing setting values ​​of a plurality of setting items related to printing in association with one identifier; a transmission step of transmitting the one identifier and the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items stored in the storage step; a control step of controlling so that a predetermined set of setting values ​​is not included in the setting values ​​of the plurality of setting items registered in association with the one identifier in the storage step, A control method, wherein the predetermined set of setting values ​​is a set of setting values ​​that cannot be set simultaneously as processing settings for one print job.

9. A computer program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 8.

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