Information processing device, control method for information processing device, and program

Abstract

To provide a user with proper warning.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to function as acquiring means for acquiring, from an image outputting apparatus, state information indicating a state of the image outputting apparatus and display control means for displaying a setting screen for use in setting print settings on a display part. The display control means displays a predetermined warning display on the setting screen if the acquiring means failed to acquire the state information and setting values set on the setting screen are changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the display of print settings in an information processing apparatus that can communicate with an image output apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when printing, an information processing device selects an image output device such as a printer and sends a print job to the selected image output device, causing the image output device to print. The information processing device creates a print job by combining various setting values ​​within the range of values ​​supported by the selected image output device, such as paper feed settings such as paper type and size, quality settings such as priority image quality and print quality, and layout settings such as rotation and print position. These supported values ​​are often obtained from a printer driver pre-installed on the information processing device.

[0003] On the other hand, in an image output device, printable setting values ​​change depending on changes in the state, such as changing the paper feeder or changing the main body settings. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that acquires the state of the image output device, and presents a necessary warning to the user when a mismatch occurs between the acquired state and the print settings of the information processing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-15947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that the status of the image output device can be acquired normally, and if the information processing device cannot acquire the status of the image output device, it is not possible to present an appropriate warning to the user.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an appropriate warning to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an information processing device configured to be able to communicate with an image output device, the program causing the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating a status of the image output device from the image output device, and a display control unit that displays a setting screen for setting print settings on a display unit, the display control unit being configured to but Acquisition of the status information could not When the setting value set on the setting screen is changed in this state, the first table Show adding the first display relating to the setting item corresponding to the changed setting value to the setting screen; and displaying the first table and the acquiring means acquires the status information. of acquisition I was able to In the state, if the changed setting value and the state information that has been successfully acquired do not match, table The second display format is different from the table display, The first display is displayed for each setting item of the print setting. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an appropriate warning can be presented to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image output device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a PC. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks in the printing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print setting information stored in a print setting information DB. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning display. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen for print setting values. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for acquiring state information. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for displaying a print setting screen. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a PC. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a solution mark including a solution method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below 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.

[0011] <<First Embodiment>> <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a PC 102, which is an information processing device, and multiple image output devices 100 (image output device 100a and image output device 100b). The PC 102 is configured to be able to communicate with the image output devices 100 via a network 103. In this specification, the same reference numerals are used for similar components, and when specifically referring to individual components, alphabets are added to the end of the reference numerals. When describing similar components collectively, the alphabets added to the end of the reference numerals may be omitted. In the example of FIG. 1, multiple image output devices 100 are shown, but the number of image output devices 100 may be one, or three or more. Furthermore, although one PC 102 is shown as an example, two or more PCs may be used.

[0012] In this embodiment, the PC 102 will be described as an example of an information processing device, but an information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may also be used as the information processing device. The PC 102 selects a target image output device 100 from among the multiple image output devices 100, creates a print job for that image output device 100, and transmits the created print job to the selected image output device 100.

[0013] The image output device 100 performs a printing operation based on a print job sent from the PC 102. The image output device 100 also stores its own status information. For example, if the status information is changed due to a paper feed change or device settings, the image output device 100 stores the changed status information.

[0014] When creating a print job, PC 102 displays a print setting screen in response to a user operation. The user edits the print settings on the print setting screen. Here, when the print settings are edited, PC 102 checks the consistency of the print setting values ​​to prevent printing errors that result in undesired printing. Specifically, PC 102 acquires status information of the image output device 100 and determines whether the print setting values ​​are consistent. If there is a mismatch, PC 102 outputs a warning to the user. This makes it possible to prevent printing errors. Note that in this embodiment, if status information of the image output device 100 cannot be acquired, a warning is output indicating that the print setting values ​​have not been confirmed to be consistent. This is expected to prevent printing errors even when status information of the image output device 100 cannot be acquired. Details will be described later.

[0015] <Hardware configuration> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image output device 100. The image output device 100 has a CPU 200, a ROM 201, a RAM 202, a system bus 203, an input unit 204, a printing unit I / F 205, a memory controller 206, a printing unit 207, an external memory 208, and an operation unit 209.

[0016] The image output device 100 is controlled by a CPU 200. The CPU 200 operates based on a control program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 201 or a control program stored in an external memory 208. The CPU 200 outputs an image signal to a printing unit (printer engine) 207 connected to a printing unit I / F 205 via a system bus 203. The CPU 200 is configured to be able to communicate with a PC 102 via an input unit 204 and can notify the PC 102 of information (e.g., status information) within the image output device 100. The CPU 200 can also receive and input output data to be output to the printing unit 207 as a print job from the PC 102 via the input unit 204. The CPU 200 may be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The RAM 202 functions as the CPU 200's main memory or work area. The RAM 202 is configured so that its memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The external memory 208 is, for example, a hard disk (HDD) or an IC card, and access thereto is controlled by the memory controller 206. The external memory 208 can be connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, information about paper registered in the image output device, paper attribute information, and the like. The operation unit 209 includes an operation panel and is configured to display various information and allow the user to input various operations. Status information of the image output device 100 is stored in the ROM 201, RAM 202, or external memory 208.

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 102. The PC 102 has a control unit 307, a keyboard 308, a display 309, and an external memory 310. The control unit 307 has a CPU 300, a ROM 301, a RAM 302, a main bus 303, a keyboard controller 304, a display controller 305, and a disk controller 306.

[0018] The CPU 300 reads various programs such as control programs, system programs, and application programs from the external memory 310 via the disk controller 306 into the RAM 302. The CPU 300 executes the various programs read into the RAM 302 to perform various data processing operations and to control the display 309. The CPU 300 may also read the control programs and the like from the ROM 301.

[0019] A disk controller 306 controls access to an external memory 310 such as a HDD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB. A RAM 302 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded using an optional RAM (not shown) or the like, and is mainly used as a work area for the CPU 300. A keyboard controller 304 controls key input from a keyboard 308 or a pointing device (not shown). A display controller 305 controls the display of a display 309, which is a display unit. The display 309 may be provided external to the PC 102. A main bus 303 connects the various units, and the CPU 300 controls the various units via the main bus 303.

[0020] It should be noted that the hardware configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples, and it is not necessary to include all of these, or configurations not shown therein may be included.

[0021] <Function block> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks in the printing system of this embodiment, which includes the PC 102 and the image output device 100.

[0022] First, a description will be given of the functional blocks within the image output device 100. The image output device 100 has a state information storage unit 455, a print job receiving unit 456, and a print execution unit 457. The state information storage unit 455 is configured, for example, by the ROM 201, the RAM 202, or the external memory 208. The print job receiving unit 456 and the print execution unit 457 are realized by the CPU 200 reading a control program stored in the ROM 201 or the like into the RAM 202 and executing it.

[0023] The status information storage unit 455 stores status information that reflects the paper feed status or device setting status of the image output device 100. Examples of the paper feed status include the installation status of the paper feed slot (e.g., the number of roll paper levels installed) and the type of paper installed in the paper feed slot. Examples of the device setting status include information such as the color mode or print image quality. Specific examples will be described later using FIG. 5. The print job receiving unit 456 receives a print job sent from the PC 102. The print execution unit 457 executes print processing based on the print job received by the print job receiving unit 456.

[0024] Next, we will explain the functional blocks within PC 102. PC 102 has a print setting information DB 400, a status information acquisition unit 401, a display control unit 402, a print setting information comparison unit 403, and a print job transmission unit 404. Print setting information DB 400 is configured in RAM 302 or external memory 310. Status information acquisition unit 401, display control unit 402, print setting information comparison unit 403, and print job transmission unit 404 are realized by CPU 300 reading out a control program stored in ROM 301 or the like into RAM 302 and executing it.

[0025] The print setting information DB 400 stores print setting information. The print setting information includes at least print setting values ​​502, which will be described later in FIG. 5, and status information 503. The print setting values ​​502 are print setting values ​​currently set in the PC 102. The status information 503 is status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit 401 from the status information storage unit 455 of the image output device 100. Details of these will be described later. The print setting information also includes information based on a printer driver already installed in the PC 102 and information based on a spooler.

[0026] The state information acquisition unit 401 acquires state information from the state information storage unit 455 of the image output device 100. The state information acquisition unit 401 acquires state information from the image output device 100 at a predetermined timing and stores the acquired state information in the print setting information DB 400. If communication between the PC 102 and the image output device 100 becomes impossible due to the PC 102 being moved or a disconnection, the state information acquisition unit 401 cannot acquire state information from the state information storage unit 455 of the image output device 100. In such a case, the state information acquisition unit 401 acquires the state information offline. Note that the case where communication between the PC 102 and the image output device 100 is impossible is not limited to the above example, and may be, for example, when the image output device 100 is powered off.

[0027] As will be described later, the status information includes various items. If the PC 102 and the image output device 100 cannot communicate with each other, the status information acquisition unit 401 acquires each item related to print settings in an offline state. On the other hand, if the PC 102 and the image output device 100 can communicate with each other but some of the configuration of the image output device 100 cannot be acquired from the status information storage unit 455, the status information acquisition unit 401 acquires that item in an offline state.

[0028] The display control unit 402 controls the display of a print setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the print setting screen) on the display 309 based on the print setting information stored in the print setting information DB 400. On the print setting screen, options for changing various print settings are displayed in a selectable manner according to information based on the printer driver. Also, on the print setting screen, print setting values ​​included in the print setting information are displayed in a selected state on the print setting screen. The user can change various print settings by editing (changing) the print setting values ​​on the print setting screen. The display control unit 402 stores the print setting values ​​edited on the print setting screen in the print setting information DB 400.

[0029] When the display control unit 402 receives a print execution instruction from a user, it requests the print job sending unit 404 to create and send a print job with print settings according to the print setting values. The display control unit 402 also displays a warning based on the comparison result in the print setting information comparison unit 403.

[0030] The print setting information comparison unit 403 compares the print setting values ​​with the status information stored in the print setting information DB 400 (i.e., the information acquired by the status information acquisition unit 401 from the status information storage unit 455 of the image output device 100), and notifies the display control unit 402 of the comparison result.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of print setting information stored in print setting information DB 400. The print setting information includes parameters such as ID 500 for uniquely identifying a setting item of the print setting, setting item 501 which is a name indicating the setting item, print setting value 502, and status information 503. In addition to what is shown in Fig. 5, the print setting information also includes information indicating possible values ​​that the print setting value can take based on the printer driver, etc., but this information is not shown here.

[0032] The print setting values ​​502 store the current print setting values, and when editing is performed on the print setting screen, the edited print setting values ​​are stored.

[0033] Status information 503 is information for each image output device 100, and in Fig. 5, status information 503a is status information for image output device 100a, and status information 503b is status information for image output device 100b. Note that Fig. 5 shows a data structure in which the status information for each image output device 100 is collected together as print setting information, but these may also be stored as separate print setting information in print setting information DB 400. Furthermore, each parameter type may be managed in a separate file, or parameter types other than those described above may be included in the print setting information.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 600 displayed on the display 309 of the PC 102. The print setting screen 600 includes a file list display area 601, a preview display area 602, and a print setting area 603. The file list display area 601 is an area that displays a list of document information to be printed on a document-by-document or page-by-page basis. The preview display area 602 is an area that displays a preview of the layout of a page selected in the file list display area 601. The print setting area 603 is an area for editing the print setting values ​​502 of various setting items 501 for print settings. The print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and for example, only the print setting area 603 may be displayed as the print setting screen. Furthermore, display areas for other items may be displayed on the print setting screen. When the user presses the print button 604, the display control unit 402 accepts this operation input and instructs the print job transmission unit 404 to create and transmit a print job. 6, the "printer 1" (which corresponds to the image output device 100a in this example) specified as the image output device in the print setting area 603 is the image output device selected as the printing target. The print job sending unit 404 creates a print job in accordance with the print settings and sends the created print job to the image output device 100 (printer 1) selected as the image output device that will perform printing.

[0035] 6 shows an example in which the paper feed slot, paper type, and paper size of the setting item 501 in FIG. 5 are displayed as a single group under "Paper Feed Paper," but it goes without saying that the configuration may be such that they can be displayed and selected separately for each setting item. Also, unlike the example in FIG. 6, the configuration may be such that different groups such as quality and layout can be displayed and selected as a single group. Furthermore, the file list display area 601 may be configured to display thumbnails in a list to provide an overview of the contents of each page, or may be configured to allow the list display format to be switched on the screen.

[0036] In this embodiment, if the print setting value 502 set in the print setting area 603 on such a print setting screen 600 differs from the status information 503 obtained from the image output device 100 selected as the printing target, a warning is displayed.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a warning display. In this embodiment, two types of warning displays can be broadly categorized. Warnings are displayed in the form of a predetermined icon. The first warning display is an example in which an offline edited mark 702 is displayed, indicating that editing was performed offline, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The second warning display is an example in which a print setting mismatch mark 701 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 7(a). The offline edited mark 702 in FIG. 7(b) is referred to as the first warning display. The print setting mismatch mark 701 in FIG. 7(a) is referred to as the second warning display. The first warning display is displayed when the user edits a setting item for which the status information 503 could not be acquired. In other words, the first warning display is displayed when the user edits a setting item for which the status information 503 is offline. The second warning display is displayed when the print setting values ​​502 differ from the status information 503 that was successfully acquired.

[0038] First, the second warning display will be described. The display control unit 402 receives the comparison result between the print setting values ​​502 and the status information 503 from the print setting information comparison unit 403. If the status information 503 is not offline and the print setting values ​​502 and the status information 503 differ, the second warning display displays a print setting mismatch mark 701. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the image output device 100a is selected and processing is being performed based on the status information 503a shown in FIG. 5. In the status information 503a in FIG. 5, "photo paper (thin)" is set as the paper type for the roll paper 1. In other words, in the image output device 100a to be printed, paper of the paper type "photo paper (thin)" is loaded in the paper feed tray for the roll paper 1. In FIG. 7, the user changes the paper type to "photo paper (thick)" on the print setting screen 600 in this state, and as a result, the print setting mismatch mark 701 is displayed. If the status information 503 obtained from the image output device 100a to be printed does not match the print setting value 502, a print setting mismatch mark 701 is displayed near the setting item in question to inform the user that a printing error may occur.

[0039] On the other hand, if the status information acquisition unit 401 cannot acquire status information from the status information storage unit 455 of the image output device, for example, because communication between the PC 102 and the image output device to be printed is not possible, status information indicating that the image output device is offline is stored in the print setting information DB 400. In this state, the print setting information comparison unit 403 notifies the display control unit 402 that the status information 503 is offline and therefore inconsistent. If the print setting values ​​502 and the status information 503 are inconsistent because the device is offline, the display control unit 402 does not immediately display a first warning. In this state, if the user edits the print setting values, an offline edited mark 702 is displayed near the edited setting item as a first warning. The user who sees the offline edited mark 702 can recognize that the consistency between the print setting values ​​and the status information has not been confirmed for that setting item. Here, if the user is not aware of the setting item (e.g., the paper feed item), the user is expected to check it in advance before printing is executed. On the other hand, if the user understands the setting items, it is expected that the user will instruct printing to be performed without waiting for the status information to be acquired. In this way, by displaying the offline edited mark 702, printing errors can be reduced even when the status information has not been acquired. Note that when a user edits print setting values ​​offline, information indicating that the print setting values ​​have been edited may be stored in the print setting information DB 400, or information indicating that the print setting values ​​have been changed may be stored in a predetermined area such as the RAM 302.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen 800 for the print setting values ​​502. When editing the print setting values ​​502 when the status information 503 has not yet been acquired, the editing screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a screen displayed when the user selects the “Paper Feed” option on the print setting screen 600 of FIG. 6. The user can set the paper feed slot 801, paper type 802, and paper size 803 on the editing screen 800. The editing screen 800 is configured to display user-editable options based on information such as the printer driver. FIG. 7B illustrates the result of editing the print setting values ​​502 using the editing screen 800 of FIG. 8. Because the user edited the print setting values ​​502 related to “Paper Feed,” an offline edited mark 702 is displayed near the “Paper Feed” setting. The mark shown in FIG. 7 is merely an example, and other marks may be displayed on the print setting screen 600.

[0041] <Flowchart> Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for acquiring state information in PC 102. The process shown in Fig. 9 is realized by CPU 300 of PC 102 reading a program stored in ROM 301 or the like into RAM 302 and executing it. Note that the symbol "S" in the explanation of each process indicates a step in the flowchart (the same applies hereinafter in this specification). The process in Fig. 9 is realized by CPU 300 functioning as state information acquisition unit 401.

[0042] The process in Fig. 9 is started at a predetermined timing. For example, it may be executed periodically by PC 102. It may also be executed when print setting screen 600 shown in Fig. 6 is displayed. It may also be executed in response to a user operation on print setting screen 600.

[0043] In S901, the status information acquisition unit 401 acquires status information stored in the status information storage unit 455 of the image output device 100. The status information acquisition unit 401 can acquire status information from each image output device 100 with which the PC 102 can communicate. When the print setting screen 600 is displayed, for example, the status information of only the image output device selected as the image output device to be used for printing may be acquired. At the timing of S901, the status information acquisition unit 401 may also acquire information from a printer driver and a spooler that are already installed in the PC 102.

[0044] In S902, the status information acquisition unit 401 determines whether acquisition of the status information was successful. If acquisition of the status information was successful, the process proceeds to S903. In S903, the status information acquisition unit 401 stores the acquired status information in the print setting information DB 400 as print setting information. That is, the acquired status information is stored as status information 503 corresponding to the image output device 100 from which the status information was acquired, and the process ends. On the other hand, if acquisition of the status information failed, the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the status information acquisition unit 401 stores, as print setting information, the status information 503 in which the setting item 501 for which acquisition failed is set to "offline" in the print setting information DB 400. Then, the process ends. In the example of FIG. 5, the status of "Roll Paper 2" in the status information 503a could not be acquired from the status information of the image output device 100a, so "Roll Paper 2" is set to "offline." The processing of the flowchart in FIG. 9 may be repeatedly executed for the number of setting items 501, or may be executed for all setting items 501 at once.

[0045] If the status information acquisition unit 401 cannot communicate with the status information storage unit 455 of the target image output device 100, it will be unable to acquire any status information 503. In this case, all of the status information 503 of the target image output device 100 may be set to "offline." On the other hand, there may be cases where the status information acquisition unit 401 can communicate with the status information storage unit 455 of the target image output device 100, but the image output device 100 does not have the function to notify status information of some setting items. In such cases, as shown in status information 503a in FIG. 5, there may be a mixture of setting items that are set to "offline" and setting items for which the status information 503 can be successfully acquired.

[0046] A more detailed explanation follows. Depending on the image output device 100, the range of status information that can be returned to the PC 102 in response to an acquisition request from the status information acquisition unit 401 may vary. For example, image output device A is configured to transmit the name of the paper being fed as status information, while image output device B may not be able to transmit the name of the paper being fed as status information. Furthermore, some image output devices 100 may be able to add an optional paper feed slot. For example, some image output devices 100 may be able to add a second feed tray for roll paper as an option. While some image output devices 100 can accommodate such additional optional units, some image output devices 100 may be unable to acquire status information for the additionally installed unit and store it as status information in the status information storage unit 455. In the example of FIG. 5, image output device 100a is assumed to have "Roll 2" installed as an option and unable to transmit its status information to the PC 102. Note that Figure 5 shows an example in which only some of the setting items are offline, but as mentioned above, if there is an image output device 100 that cannot communicate with PC 102, all of the setting items of that image output device will be offline.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for displaying print setting screen 600 on PC 102. The processing shown in Fig. 10 is implemented by CPU 300 of PC 102 reading a program stored in ROM 301 or the like into RAM 302 and executing it. The processing in Fig. 10 is implemented by CPU 300 functioning as display control unit 402. The flowchart in Fig. 10 starts when print setting screen 600 is displayed on PC 102 or when print setting values ​​are updated on print setting screen 600.

[0048] In S1001, the display control unit 402 acquires print setting information stored in the print setting information DB 400. In S1002, the display control unit 402 displays the print setting screen 600 based on the print setting information acquired in S1001. Specifically, the display control unit 402 displays options on the print setting screen 600 in a selectable manner based on the print setting information in the print setting information DB 400. Furthermore, if the status information 503 of the print setting information is offline, the display manner of the options may be changed to indicate that the setting is offline. For example, the display of "Status" in the print setting area 603 of FIG. 6 may be changed to offline in accordance with the status information 503. Alternatively, offline setting items may be displayed in a lighter color than online setting items. The print setting values ​​selected on the print setting screen 600 are then reflected in the print setting values ​​502 in the print setting information DB 400. The print setting values ​​selected on the print setting screen 600 may be set by a user operation or may be automatically selected by the display control unit 402.

[0049] Next, in steps S1003 to S1010, the display control unit 402 repeats the process for the number of setting items 501. Here, the display control unit 402 determines the setting items to be processed one by one in the sorting order of the IDs 500 and performs the process.

[0050] In S1004, the display control unit 402 causes the print information comparison unit 403 to compare the print setting value 502 set for the setting item 501 to be processed with the status information 503, and obtains the comparison result. If they match, the process proceeds to S1010, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S1005.

[0051] In S1010, if a warning mark is displayed on the print setting value 502 of the setting item 501 being processed, the display control unit 402 erases the warning mark. This process is performed, for example, when the user edits the print setting value on the print setting screen 600 and the resulting edited value matches the status information 503. If the print setting value 502 and the status information 503 match, there is no need to display the warning mark. Note that this warning mark may be the print setting mismatch mark 701 shown in FIG. 7A or the offline edited mark 702 shown in FIG. 7B. An example of when the offline edited mark 702 is removed is when, for example, communication with the image output device 100 is changed from an unavailable state to an available state, and further, a match between the print setting value 502 and the status information 503 is confirmed. Then, the process returns to the loop of S1003. Note that if a warning mark is not displayed, the process skips S1010 and returns to the loop of S1003.

[0052] On the other hand, if the print setting value 502 of the setting item 501 to be processed does not match the status information 503, the process proceeds to S1005, where the display control unit 402 determines whether the status information 503 is offline. As described above, even if offline is set as the status information 503, the print setting value 502 and the status information 503 do not match. If the status information 503 is offline, the process proceeds to S1006; if not, the process proceeds to S1008. If the status information 503 is not offline, the status information 503 has been successfully acquired and differs from the print setting value 502. Therefore, in S1008, the display control unit 402 displays the print setting mismatch mark 701 in the location of the corresponding setting item on the print setting screen 600. Then, the process returns to the loop of S1003. On the other hand, if the status information 503 is offline, the display control unit 402 determines in S1006 whether the setting item 501 to be processed has been edited by the user. If the setting item has already been edited by the user, the process proceeds to S1007, where the display control unit 402 displays an offline edited mark 702 at the location of the corresponding setting item on the print setting screen 600. Then, the process returns to the loop of S1003. If it is determined in S1006 that the setting item has not already been edited by the user, the process also returns to the loop of S1003. The above process is repeated until the processing for the number of setting items is completed and the end condition for the loop of S1003 is met, whereupon the process of this flowchart ends.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, even if the information processing apparatus cannot acquire the status of the image output apparatus, it is possible to present an appropriate warning to the user. For example, even if the information processing apparatus cannot communicate with the image output apparatus, it is possible to present an appropriate warning regarding print settings to the user. This makes it possible to notify the user of the possibility of a printing error, thereby preventing the occurrence of a printing error.

[0054] <<Second embodiment>> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which a predetermined warning is displayed on the print setting screen 600. Here, if the user has not pressed the print execution button and a print job has not been created, it is preferable to automatically resolve the warning if the warning can be resolved. For example, if the print setting values ​​are edited when the PC 102 is unable to communicate with the image output device 100, the offline edited mark 702 is displayed as described in the first embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the user then becomes able to communicate with the image output device 100 before pressing the print execution button. In this embodiment, a process is performed to match the values ​​selected on the print setting screen (i.e., the print setting values) with the status information obtained when communication becomes possible. As a result, the setting values ​​edited by the user are changed to match the status information, and the offline edited mark 702 is no longer displayed.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the PC 102. The processing shown in Fig. 11 is realized by the CPU 300 of the PC 102 reading a program stored in the ROM 301 or the like into the RAM 302 and executing it. The processing in Fig. 11 is realized by the CPU 300 functioning as the display control unit 402. The flowchart in Fig. 11 can be performed at any timing. For example, it may be performed after the processing shown in Fig. 10 or may be performed in parallel with the processing in Fig. 10. The processing in Fig. 11 may be performed periodically to make a real-time determination in accordance with the latest status of the image output device 100.

[0056] In S1101, the display control unit 402 determines whether the print document has not been submitted. For example, if the print button operation on the print setting screen 600 has not been accepted, or if a print job creation instruction has not been output to the print job sending unit 404, the display control unit 402 determines that the print document has not been submitted. The print document is also determined to be unsubmitted if the user has the print setting screen 600 open regardless of the print document. If the print document has not been submitted, the process ends. If the print document has not been submitted, the process proceeds to S1102, where control is executed to clear the warning display. Specifically, as described above, when communication with the image output device 100 becomes possible, control is executed to match the print setting values ​​for which the offline edited mark 702 is selected on the print setting screen 600 with the status information obtained after communication becomes possible. As a result, the setting values ​​already edited by the user match the status information, and the offline edited mark 702 is no longer displayed. Note that the determination in S1101 may also take into account whether the user has changed the print settings on the print setting screen 600. For example, when communication with the image output device 100 is not possible and the user has not changed the print settings on the print setting screen 600, the offline edited mark 702 is not displayed. Therefore, when the user has not changed the print settings on the print setting screen 600, processing may be performed so that the answer in S1101 is No.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment, the warning display can be automatically cleared.

[0058] <<Third Embodiment>> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which a warning is displayed in the print setting area 603 of the print setting screen 600. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a warning is also displayed in the file list display area 601 or the preview display area 602 of the print setting screen 600. Note that, although an example in which a predetermined mark is displayed as a warning in the print setting area 603 has been described, in the present embodiment, even if the warning has the same content, the displayed information is partially different.

[0059] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 600 according to this embodiment. Fig. 12 shows an image cutoff warning displayed when print settings are changed while communication with the image output device is not possible, resulting in some pages of the submitted print document extending beyond the output paper. In the print setting area 603, because the user has edited the paper feed settings, an offline edited mark 702 is displayed, as described in the first embodiment.

[0060] In this embodiment, a corresponding warning message is also displayed in the file list display area 601 and the preview display area 602. The file list display area 601 displays a list of multiple documents and pages. Therefore, a warning mark 1201 is displayed in the file list display area 601 in a format that makes it easy to identify problematic pages. The preview display area 602 displays a preview of the layout of the page selected in the file list display area 601. The preview display area 602 displays warning marks 1202 that display detailed information for the number of problems. To make the problem easier to visualize, a warning mark 1203 is also displayed that indicates the location of the image cutoff. Note that the location of the image cutoff can be identified from the print setting information stored in the print setting information DB 400. That is, as described above, the print setting information includes information based on the printer driver and information based on the spooler in addition to the information shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, even if the status information 503 cannot be properly acquired, the display control unit 402 can identify the location of the error based on the above information.

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to display a warning mark appropriate for each area of ​​the print setting screen 600. In this way, by additionally displaying a warning mark or changing the format of the warning mark, it is possible to make the warning content easier for the user to recognize.

[0062] Note that the form of the warning display shown in Fig. 9 is merely an example and is not limited to this. Furthermore, the display may be configured so that the user can customize the mark to be displayed and the relationship between the mark and the display location. Furthermore, the display may be configured so that information regarding the warning occurring at that time is presented to the user in an appropriate form depending on the processing status, such as when a print document is submitted.

[0063] <<Fourth Embodiment>> In the above embodiments, examples have been described in which a warning is displayed. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a solution is presented to the user in a situation in which such a warning is displayed.

[0064] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a solution mark 1301 that includes a solution as a warning display. By displaying the solution mark 1301 as shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to present the user with a solution at the same time as displaying the warning. Of course, in cases where the solution mark 1301 cannot be displayed due to system constraints or the like, the solution may not be displayed as a mark but may be additionally displayed as text or the like. Furthermore, the solution mark 1301 may be displayed within the print setting screen 600, or may be displayed on a screen separate from the print setting screen 600.

[0065] <<Other embodiments>> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 Image output device 102 PC 401 Status information acquisition unit 402 Display control unit 404 Print Job Sender 455 Status information storage unit

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device configured to be able to communicate with an image output device, the program comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating a status of the image output device from the image output device; a display control means for displaying a setting screen for setting print settings on a display unit; It functions as The display control means when a setting value set on the setting screen is changed while the acquisition means is unable to acquire the status information, a first display is added to the setting screen, the first display relating to a setting item including the changed setting value, When the first display is being displayed and the acquisition means has been able to acquire the status information, if the changed setting value does not match the status information that has been successfully acquired, a second display having a display format different from that of the first display is displayed; The program, wherein the first display is displayed for each setting item of the print settings.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the display control means changes the display mode of the first display depending on the area on the setting screen.

3. 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays information indicating a solution together with the first display when the first display is displayed.

4. The program described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the display control means is in the first display state and no print document is being accepted, and the acquisition means successfully acquires the status information, it changes the setting value to match the acquired status information.

5. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays different icons as the first display and the second display.

6. An information processing device configured to be able to communicate with an image output device, an acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating a status of the image output device from the image output device; a display control means for displaying a setting screen for setting print settings on a display unit; Equipped with The display control means when a setting value set on the setting screen is changed while the acquisition means is unable to acquire the status information, a first display is added to the setting screen, the first display relating to a setting item corresponding to the changed setting value, When the first display is being displayed and the acquisition means has been able to acquire the status information, if the changed setting value does not match the status information that has been successfully acquired, a second display having a display format different from the first display is displayed; The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the first display is displayed for each setting item of the print setting.

7. A method for controlling an information processing device configured to be able to communicate with an image output device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring status information indicating a status of the image output device from the image output device; a display control step of displaying a setting screen for setting print settings on a display unit; and The display control step includes: When a setting value set on the setting screen is changed while the state information could not be acquired in the acquisition step, a first display is added to the setting screen, the first display relating to a setting item corresponding to the changed setting value, and the first display is displayed on the setting screen; When the first display is being displayed and the acquisition step has succeeded in acquiring the status information, if the changed setting value does not match the status information that has been successfully acquired, a second display having a display format different from the first display is displayed; The method for controlling an information processing apparatus, wherein the first display is displayed for each setting item of the print setting.

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