JP2019185627A - Information processing apparatus and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that can cause a printer driver to print according to an execution request after performing transform processing following a rule, in performing print processing under an OS which transforms a function or setting being not able to be processed by the printer driver to a default value.SOLUTION: Receiving means of an information processing apparatus receives an execution request of printing from an OS, transforming means transforms the execution request received by the receiving means to the execution request for a printer driver to be able to interpret following a transformation rule, and transfer means transfers the execution request transformed by the transforming means to the printer driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

  Patent Document 1 has an object to provide a mechanism that allows a printer driver or a printing apparatus to interpret print setting information that is set in another printing system and cannot be interpreted by a printer driver or a printing apparatus. When there is a print request and the print setting information in the request is described in the job ticket format, if there is a tag character string indicating an unknown name space described in the job ticket, the tag character that can be interpreted in the dictionary database It is disclosed that a conversion request to a column is made, the result is received, the tag character string is replaced with an interpretable tag character string, and the print setting is performed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688 has an object to enable easy and flexible change of handling conditions when handling jobs that the user has instructed to execute in a plurality of information processing apparatuses. The dummy driver storing the setting data including the condition information indicating the process to be executed when the condition is satisfied for each of one or more conditions in the format of the setting data used by the printer driver. If the setting data is acquired by requesting transmission, and it is determined whether or not the job for which the execution request has been received satisfies the condition indicated by the condition information included in the setting data acquired in the acquisition procedure. After executing the processing corresponding to the condition for the job that has received the execution request, the printer driver is requested to execute the job. Unishi was it has been disclosed.

JP 2006-065839 A JP-A-2015-176529

When an application performs print processing, the OS receives a print execution request from the application, and the OS passes the print execution request to the printer driver. For example, when a function or setting that cannot be processed by the printer driver is received, the function or setting is converted in the printer driver. However, depending on the OS, when a print execution request from an application is passed to the printer driver, functions or settings that cannot be processed by the printer driver are converted to default values. In such a case, the conversion process provided in advance in the printer driver cannot be performed, and printing according to the print execution request from the application is not performed.
The present invention is a printing process under an OS that converts a function or setting that cannot be processed by the printer driver into a default value, and follows an execution request after performing a conversion process according to a rule to the printer driver. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that can perform printing.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
The invention of claim 1 is a receiving unit that receives a print execution request from an OS, a conversion unit that converts the execution request received by the receiving unit into an execution request interpretable by a printer driver according to a conversion rule, and An information processing apparatus having transfer means for transferring the execution request converted by the conversion means to the printer driver.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing in advance definitions of execution requests that can be accepted by the printer driver, and making the definitions accessible by the OS. .

  A third aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the storage means stores a GPD file in which functions or settings that can be processed by the printer driver are defined.

  The invention according to claim 4 further includes a generation unit that generates the conversion rule using configuration information of the printer driver, and the conversion unit performs conversion processing according to the conversion rule generated by the generation unit. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

  The invention according to claim 5 further includes a selection unit that selects a printer driver as a transfer destination of the transfer unit, and the generation unit uses the configuration information of the printer driver selected by the selection unit as the conversion rule. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, which is generated.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a computer receives a print execution request from an OS, and a conversion unit converts the execution request received by the reception unit into an execution request interpretable by a printer driver according to a conversion rule. And an information processing program for causing the execution request converted by the conversion means to function as transfer means for transferring to the printer driver.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, in the printing process under the OS for converting the function or setting that cannot be processed by the printer driver into the default value, the conversion process according to the rule is performed on the printer driver. Printing can be performed according to a subsequent execution request.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, the definition of the execution request that can be accepted by the printer driver can be made accessible by the OS.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to use a GPD file in which functions or settings that can be processed by the printer driver are defined.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the conversion process can be performed without setting the conversion rule in advance.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the conversion process can be performed without setting the conversion rule in advance.

  According to the information processing program of the sixth aspect, in the printing process under the OS for converting the function or setting that cannot be processed by the printer driver into the default value, the conversion process according to the rule is performed on the printer driver. Printing can be performed according to a subsequent execution request.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example using this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a process of an application, OS, and a printer driver. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a process of an application, OS, and a printer driver. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a process of an application, OS, and a printer driver. It is a specific module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an application printer printer correspondence table. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. This means that control is performed so as to be stored in the apparatus. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, login, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. Also, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / status at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the status / status up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description of “do B when A” is used to mean “determine whether or not A and do B when A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded. In addition, when enumerating things such as “A, B, C”, etc., it is an enumerated list unless otherwise specified, and includes cases where only one of them is selected (for example, only A).
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is also included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

The information processing module 100 according to the present embodiment causes the image processing apparatus to print via the printer driver 170. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the execution request reception module 110, the execution request conversion module 120, It has an execution request transfer module 130 and is connected to the OS 160 and the printer driver 170. When an execution request that cannot be processed by the printer driver 170 that accepts print execution is made, the information processing module 100 can be executed instead of processing (function or setting) similar to the execution request. Is.
The information processing module 100 has a function of mediating between the OS 160 and the printer driver 170. Note that the information processing module 100 preferably takes one function form of an intermediate printer driver imitating a general printer driver in view of printing affinity from the application 150. Further, the information processing module 100 and the printer driver 170 may correspond one-to-one, or a plurality of printer drivers 170 may be provided for the information processing module 100. In the former case, there may be a plurality of information processing modules 100 for the OS 160. Specifically, there are as many information processing modules 100 as printer drivers 170 that can be controlled by the OS 160. In the latter case, the OS 160 and the information processing module 100 correspond one-to-one, and the OS 160 can control a plurality of printer drivers 170 via the information processing module 100.

  The application 150 is connected to the OS 160. The application 150 makes a print execution request to the OS 160 according to a user operation or a predetermined program. The application 150 corresponds to, for example, a document creation program (so-called word processor software). Here, the application 150 is generally created so as to inquire before the print request for a function that can be processed by the printer driver 170 and to make a print request only within the function range. On the other hand, it may be created in a fixed manner on the premise of using a function or setting specific to an individual printer (“fixed” means not for general use but only for the printer). A print execution request that cannot be processed by the printer driver 170 may be made. The information processing module 100 according to the present embodiment mainly responds to such an execution request, but can also handle the above-described general application.

  The OS 160 is connected to the information processing module 100 and the application 150. The OS 160 passes the print execution request received from the application 150 to the information processing module 100 (printer driver 170). However, the OS 160 converts functions or settings that cannot be processed by the printer driver 170 into default values. As a specific example, a new printer driver architecture called version 4 (v4) in Windows (registered trademark) is applicable. Details will be described later using the examples of FIGS.

  The printer driver 170 is connected to the information processing module 100. The printer driver 170 is a program for controlling the printer, and is prepared for each printer. For example, the controllable functions or settings differ depending on whether the printer is compatible with color printing (only monochrome printing), the type of paper feeding means or paper discharging means (prepared size that can be handled, etc.), and the like.

The execution request receiving module 110 receives a print execution request from the OS 160. Then, the print execution request is interpreted.
The execution request conversion module 120 converts the execution request received by the execution request reception module 110 into an execution request that can be interpreted by the printer driver 170 according to a conversion rule.
Further, the execution request conversion module 120 may generate a conversion rule using the configuration information of the printer driver 170. Then, the execution request conversion module 120 may perform conversion processing according to the conversion rule.
Further, the execution request conversion module 120 may select a destination printer driver. Then, the execution request conversion module 120 may generate the conversion request using the configuration information of the printer driver that has selected the conversion rule.

Further, the information processing module 100 may store a definition of an execution request that can be accepted by the printer driver 170 in advance, and may include a storage unit that allows the OS 160 to access the definition.
The OS 160 side accesses the definition in the storage unit, and if there is a function or setting that cannot be processed by the printer driver 170, converts it to a default value. However, in the present embodiment, since the “execution request that can be accepted by the printer driver 170” is defined, the execution request before conversion is also defined. Therefore, the print request from the application 150 is not converted to the default value. Is executed as it is to the information processing module 100 (intermediate printer driver).
As a specific example, the storage unit may store a GPD file in which functions or settings that can be processed by the printer driver 170 are defined. More specifically, this storage means corresponds to the setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111 shown in the example of FIG. 6 described later.

  The execution request transfer module 130 transfers the execution request converted by the execution request conversion module 120 to the printer driver 170.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example using the present embodiment.
The example in FIG. 2A shows a stand-alone system configuration. The information processing apparatus 200 includes an information processing module 100, an application 150, an OS 160, and a printer driver 170. The information processing apparatus 200 and the image processing apparatus 250 are connected. A plurality of image processing devices 250 may be connected to the information processing device 200. The image processing apparatus 250 performs printing in accordance with a print execution request from the application 150.
The example of FIG. 2B shows a system configuration in which the information processing apparatus 200 and the image processing apparatus 250 are connected via the communication line 290. The information processing apparatus 200A, the information processing apparatus 200B, the information processing apparatus 200C, and the image processing apparatus 250 are connected via a communication line 290, respectively. The communication line 290 may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, and may be, for example, the Internet or an intranet as a communication infrastructure. In response to a print execution request from any of the information processing apparatuses 200, the image processing apparatus 250 performs printing.

A case where a print execution request is made without using the information processing module 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, the Windows printer driver receives a known data structure describing print setting information such as DEVMODE and PrintTicket from the application 150 and executes print processing. On the other hand, although these DEVMODE and PrintTicket are defined as the outline of the structure and some default settings, the details differ depending on the printer driver. For this reason, for example, when there is an application that fixedly instructs a specific DEVMODE or PrintTicket on the assumption that a specific printer driver is used, it may not operate normally due to a change in the printer driver.
On the other hand, when the printer driver receives an execution request that cannot be processed by the printer driver, a means can be considered in which the execution request is converted into a request that can be processed by the printer driver and executed instead.
However, in a printer driver based on a new architecture called V4 introduced after Windows 8, there is a case where a request that cannot be executed is rounded (changed) to a default value by the OS before the printer driver receives an execution request. is there. For this reason, the printer driver that has received the execution request has no way of knowing what the original execution request was, and was unable to perform the alternative execution originally desired.

The functions and processing of the OS 160 and printer driver 170 in the V4 architecture will be described using the examples of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, and examples of problems in the printer driver 170 will be shown.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example of the application 150, the OS 160, the printer driver A: 170A, and the printer driver B: 170B.
In the example of FIG. 3, an example in which an application 150 for a certain GDI (Graphic Device Interface) instructs a paper feeding unit (InputBin) using a fixed DEVMODE. More specifically, InputBin = [101] is fixedly instructed on the assumption that the InputBin internal definition value indicating Tray1: 325 in the printer driver A: 170A is [101] (setting value 310).

In the V4 printer driver, functions / settings that can be processed by the V4 printer driver are defined in a GPD (Generic Printer Description) file storage module 350. Specifically, in the GPD file storage module 350A of the printer driver A: 170A, the following definition is made.
That is, the GPD file storage module 350A has, for example,
“* Feature: InputBin {
* Auto {* ID: 7}
* Bypass {* ID: 4}
* Tray 1 {* ID: 101}
}
Is remembered. That is, in the printer driver A: 170A, the InputBin internal definition value indicating “Tray1” is set to [101] (see “* Tray1 {* ID: 101}” in the definition in the GPD file storage module 350A).
Then, to the GPD file storage module 350B of the printer driver B: 170B, for example,
“* Feature: InputBin {
* AutoRay {* ID: 7}
* Manual {* ID: 4}
* Tray 1 {* ID: 1}
}
Is remembered. The ID may be different for each printer driver. That is, in the printer driver B: 170B, the InputBin internal definition value indicating “Tray1” is set to [1] (see “* Tray1 {* ID: 1}” in the definition in the GPD file storage module 350B). [101] is not defined in the GPD file storage module 350B.

The application 150 may not be able to change the instruction for each printer driver. For example, when a print request is made from the same application 150 to the printer driver B: 170B as it is, the setting value 310 [101] is not defined in the GPD file storage module 350B, so the OS 160 determines that “InputBin = [101] is a printer driver. B: 170B cannot be processed ”and the conversion process 360B is performed to InputBin = [7] (default value). That is, the OS 160 performs a conversion process 360 from the Devmode value 315 to the PT 320, and converts an undefined value of the so-called GPD into “AutoSelect” (AutoSelect 335 which is the default value 330). As a result, the application 150 originally expects paper feeding from “Tray 1”, but paper is fed by “AutoSelect”. In the printer driver B: 170B, the default value 330 corresponds to the AutoSelect 335 according to the definition in the GPD file storage module 350B.
In the conversion process 360A, since the setting value 310 is defined in the GPD file storage module 350A, the setting value 310 is directly passed to the printer driver A: 170A without performing the conversion process 360A. In the printer driver A: 170A, the setting value 310 corresponds to Tray 1: 325 according to the definition in the GPD file storage module 350A.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example of the application 150, the OS 160, and the printer driver B: 170B. The example of FIG. 4 is an improvement of the example of FIG. As a specific example, an alternative execution processing module 410 is added to the printer driver B: 170B.
Before the V4 architecture is introduced, that is, when the OS 160 is not performing the conversion process 360, if the alternative execution processing module 410 reads and executes “101” as “1”, the GPD file storage module 350B Even if there is no definition of “101”, “101” can be handled.
However, as described above, since the conversion process 360B is performed in the OS 160 after the introduction of the V4 architecture, it is determined whether or not the alternative execution processing module 410 should be converted and should be converted. However, since the original instruction (the setting value 310 [101]) cannot be known, the processing in the alternative execution processing module 410 cannot be performed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example of the application 150, the OS 160, and the printer driver B: 170B. The example of FIG. 5 is an improvement of the example of FIG. As a specific example, the definition of [101] is added to the GPD file storage module 350B. That is, a dummy definition is added to the GPD file so that the original execution request can be interpreted.
Since [101] is defined in the GPD file storage module 350B, the OS 160 can acquire the execution requested value ([101]). Then, the alternative execution processing module 410 can execute by replacing “101” with “1”.
However, when the user 510 issues a print instruction, the driver user interface 550 is displayed on the display device 520. However, extra setting items are arranged and the operability is lowered. For example, as the driver user interface 550, there is a selection of paper feeding means, and setting items thereof are “automatic selection”, “manual feed”, “tray 1”, “tray 1 (dummy 1)”, “tray 1 (dummy 2). ) ”,“ Tray 1 (dummy 3) ”,“ tray 1 (dummy 4) ”, and the like. In this way, many setting items are arranged. Since all the setting items in the printer driver A: 170A (or other printer driver 170) are covered and presented in the GPD file storage module 350B, many setting items are displayed in the driver user interface 550. Because it will be.

FIG. 6 is a specific module configuration diagram for a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The intermediate printer driver component group 600 includes the information processing module 100 shown in the example of FIG.
The intermediate printer driver component group 600 performs processing for substituting processing similar to the execution request when an execution request that cannot be processed by the printer driver that executes printing is performed.
First, an intermediate printer driver (one of intermediate printer driver component group 600) capable of interpreting a print execution request accepts a print execution request, and a printer driver (one of printer driver component group 670) that executes printing executes. After conversion into an interpretable execution request, the print execution request is transferred to a printer driver (one of the printer driver component group 670) that executes printing.
Thus, for example, without changing the default print execution request that is hard-coded into a specific core application (processing or data that assumes a specific operating environment is described directly in the source code) Thus, it is possible to change the output destination to an arbitrary printer while maintaining the instruction intention of the execution request. Further, when replacing the printer itself, the new printer (old printer driver) can cope with a print execution request to the old printer (old printer driver).

In the example of FIG. 6, the solid print arrows indicate the main print path (flow of print execution requests).
The application 150 is connected to the XPS spool file storage module 605 of the OS 160 and the configuration module 6111 of the printer driver Core module 611 in the intermediate printer driver component group 600. The application 150 is an application that instructs execution of printing.
The OS 160 includes an XPS spool file storage module 605, a print spooler 606, and a port monitor 607.
The XPS spool file storage module 605 renders the application 150, the execution request reception module 110 and the execution request transfer module 130 of the information processing module 100 in the intermediate printer driver component group 600, and the rendering of the printer driver Core module 621 in the printer driver component group 670. A module 6213 is connected. An XPS spool file storage module 605 (XPS is an abbreviation of XML Paper Specification) spools print data in the XPS file format in the V4 architecture. This is an area for OS management.
The print spooler 606 is connected to the port monitor 607 and the rendering module 6213 of the printer driver core module 621 in the printer driver component group 670. A print spooler 606 manages a print processing schedule. Rendering (print data generation processing) print data is received, and transmission control is sequentially performed. This is an area for OS management.
The port monitor 607 is connected to the print spooler 606, the connection module 6214 of the printer driver Core module 621 in the printer driver component group 670, and the printer 690. The port monitor 607 mediates data exchange between the print spooler 606 and the printer 690. This is an area for OS management.
The printer 690 is connected to the port monitor 607 of the OS 160. The printer 690 is an image processing apparatus 250 (printing apparatus).

  The intermediate printer driver component group 600 includes a printer driver Core module 611 and an information processing module 100. The intermediate printer driver component group 600 has a printer driver format and makes an execution response related to printing. In the Windows V4 architecture format, there are a core portion as a printer driver and an application portion for performing extension processing, and these are operated in conjunction with each other. Here, these component groups are collectively described as one printer driver.

  The printer driver Core module 611 has a configuration module 6111. The printer driver Core module 611 is a main part of the printer driver. The standard configuration includes a UI module, a setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111, a Rendering module, and a Connection module. Here, only the configuration module 6111 necessary for this embodiment is described, but other modules may be included.

The configuration module 6111 includes a setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111 and an extended prohibition module 61112, and is connected to the information processing module 100 and the application 150. The configuration module 6111 holds setting items and prohibition definition information provided in the printer driver, and responds with print settings (DEVMODE / PrintTicket 682) and configuration information (PrintCapabilities 686).
The setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111 holds setting items (functions or settings) defined in accordance with the format defined by the OS 160 and prohibition definition information.
The expansion prohibition module 61112 defines and processes setting items uniquely expanded by each printer vendor and their behavior.
In the present embodiment, all functions or settings that can be assumed are provided so that various print execution requests from the application 150 can be received (interpreted). Here, “all functions or settings that can be assumed” refers to the sum of functions or settings that can be executed by the printer driver component group 670 (a plurality of printer drivers).

The information processing module 100 includes an execution request reception module 110, an execution request conversion module 120, and an execution request transfer module 130. The configuration module 6111 of the printer driver Core module 611 and the printer driver Core module 621 of the printer driver component group 670. Connected with. In the present embodiment, the information processing module 100 is provided as an extension component of a preprint function in a Windows V4 architecture format printer driver. In particular, the Windows V4 architecture is a component called a workflow application. In the present embodiment, execution requests are interpreted, converted, and transferred.
The information processing module 100 is called after a print instruction from the application 150, processes the XPS spool data in the XPS spool file storage module 605, and normally sends the data to the print spooler 606. In the present embodiment, the image data is sent again to the spool area (XPS spool file storage module 605), and print execution is transferred to the printer driver component group 670.
During processing, the information of the printer driver Core module 611 is referred to by the configuration information (PrintCapabilities 684).
A UI module may be separately provided in the information processing module 100 itself so that the interpretation, conversion, and transfer contents of an execution request, which will be described later, can be set later or each time.

The execution request receiving module 110 is connected to the XPS spool file storage module 605 of the OS 160. The execution request reception module 110 receives a print execution request and interprets the meaning of the received print execution request.
As an example of the implementation, the meaning is interpreted from the configuration information (Print Capabilities 686) defined in the printer driver Core module 611, but this may be defined or set in the information processing module 100 itself. Here, only requests that cannot be interpreted by the printer driver component group 670 that executes the subsequent printing may be extracted, and simple conversion may be performed using the definition rules of the subsequent execution request conversion module 120.

The execution request conversion module 120 converts the print execution request received by the execution request reception module 110 into a request that can be interpreted by the printer driver component group 670 that executes the subsequent printing.
As an example of implementation, a specific conversion rule is set in advance, and conversion according to this rule is performed. This conversion rule may be set by the user at an appropriate timing. Furthermore, conversion rules may be automatically generated based on the configuration information (Print Capabilities 688) of each printer driver Core module 611 and printer driver Core module 621.

The execution request transfer module 130 is connected to the XPS spool file storage module 605 of the OS 160. The execution request transfer module 130 transfers the print execution request converted by the execution request conversion module 120 to the printer driver component group 670 that executes the subsequent printing.
As an example of implementation, the transfer destination is set when the intermediate printer driver component group 611 is installed, but the transfer destination may be set each time.

  The printer driver component group 670 includes a printer driver Core module 621. The printer driver component group 670 is a standard printer driver (Windows V4 architecture format). In the present embodiment, substantial print execution (including print data generation and the like) is performed. Here, only the printer driver Core module 621 is provided, but an information processing module 100 that is an extended application like the intermediate printer driver component group 600 may be provided.

  The printer driver Core module 621 includes a configuration module 6211, a UI module 6212, a rendering module 6213, and a connection module 6214, and is connected to the information processing module 100 of the intermediate printer driver component group 600. The printer driver Core module 621 is a main part of the printer driver. The standard configuration includes a UI module 6212, a configuration module 6211, a rendering module 6213, and a connection module 6214.

The configuration module 6211 includes a setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 62111 and an extended prohibition module 62112. The configuration module 6211 holds setting items and prohibition definition information included in the printer driver, and responds with print settings (DEVMODE / PrintTicket 682) and configuration information (PrintCapabilities 688).
The setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 62111 holds setting items (functions or settings) defined in accordance with the format defined by the OS 160 and prohibition definition information.
The expansion prohibition module 62112 defines and processes setting items uniquely expanded by each printer vendor and their behavior.
However, the setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 62111 and the extended prohibition module 62112 have only settings of a range that can be executed by the output destination printer 690.

The UI module 6212 displays a print setting screen of the printer driver.
The Rendering module 6213 is connected to the XPS spool file storage module 605 and the print spooler 606 of the OS 160. The Rendering module 6213 generates print data that can be processed by the printer 690 from the XPS spool data in the XPS spool file storage module 605. The XPS Filter is an entity that performs this print data generation processing, and is generally prepared for each processing request unit.
The Connection module 6214 is connected to the port monitor 607 of the OS 160. The Connection module 6214 performs communication control with the printer 690. Inquires about the status of the printer 690 and obtains settings of the printer 690.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an introduction example of the present embodiment.
Note that an application 150 for fixedly executing a specific print execution request (for example, the application 150 having the setting [101] shown in the example of FIG. 3) and a printer driver 170 (standard driver) for executing printing are installed. Suppose you have an environment. This will be described using the example shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the above-described application 150 and printer driver B: 170B (corresponding to the printer driver component group 670) are installed. For example, in the GPD file storage module 350B of the printer driver B: 170B,
“* Feature: InputBin {
* AutoRay {* ID: 7}
* Manual {* ID: 4}
* Tray 1 {* ID: 1}
}
Is remembered. That is, [101] is not defined.

In step S702, an assumed setting is defined in the GPD file. Settings that can be assumed are defined in the GPD file so that various print execution requests from the application 150 can be received (interpreted).
For example, definition values [1] / [11] / [101] / [261] / [901] and the like are prepared as the “Tray1” designation pattern of the paper feed tray (InputBin). As described above, this setting is compatible with another printer driver 170 (for example, the above-described printer driver A: 170A).
As shown in the example of FIG. 9, the GPD file in the setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111 is subjected to this step S702.
“* Feature: InputBin {
* AutoRay {* ID: 7}
* Manual {* ID: 4}
* Tray 1 {* ID: 1}
* Tray1_Dummy1 {* ID: 11}
* Tray1_Dummy2 {* ID: 101}
* Tray1_Dummy3 {* ID: 261}
* Tray1_Dummy4 {* ID: 901}
...
}
Remember.

  In step S704, a conversion rule is set. A print execution request conversion rule is set in the execution request conversion module 120 in advance. For example, as a “Tray1” conversion rule for a paper feed tray (InputBin), a rule for converting to [1] when a definition value [11] / [101] / [261] / [901] is received is set. . In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, “Tray1_Dummy2 → Tray1” is set as the conversion process 915 in the execution request conversion module 120.

In step S706, an intermediate printer driver (in the example of FIG. 6, the intermediate printer driver component group 600) is installed.
In step S708, the installed printer driver 170 (standard driver) is set as the transfer destination of the print execution request.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to this embodiment. After the introduction according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 7, the printing process is performed.
In step S802, the application 150 makes a print execution request. As a result, a print execution request is made to the intermediate driver (intermediate printer driver component group 600). In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the application 150 sets [101] as the setting value 310. In the OS 160, since [101] is defined in the setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111, conversion processing is not performed.

  In step S804, the execution request receiving module 110 receives a print execution request and interprets the contents. For example, it receives the [101] setting of the paper feed tray (InputBin) and interprets that it indicates “Tray1”. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the execution request receiving module 110 receives the setting value 310 as Ray1_Dummy2: 910.

In step S806, the execution request conversion module 120 converts the print execution request based on the conversion rule. For example, the [101] setting of the paper feed tray (InputBin) is converted into the [1] setting. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the execution request conversion module 120 performs “101 → 1” as the specific conversion process 920.
In step S <b> 808, the execution request transfer module 130 transfers the converted print execution request to the printer driver 170. For example, a print execution request is issued to the printer driver 170 registered as the transfer destination. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the execution request transfer module 130 transfers with the set value 930 “1” of Tray 1: 925.
In step S810, the printer driver 170, which is a standard driver, performs print processing. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the printer driver B: 170 </ b> B causes the image processing apparatus 250 to print with the setting value 930 “1” of Ray 1: 925.

According to the present embodiment, when the user 510 operates the driver user interface 1050 for another purpose, the printer driver B: 170B that performs printing on the image processing apparatus 250 may be directly operated. In some cases, no extra options are displayed on the driver user interface 1050.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example according to the present embodiment. The driver user interface 1050 is displayed on the display device 520, and the user 510 is selected. For example, as the driver user interface 1050. There is a selection of paper feeding means, and setting items in the printer driver B: 170B include “automatic selection”, “manual feed”, and “tray 1”. Since the GPD file storage module 350B of the printer driver B: 170B is used instead of the items in the definition in the setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111 of the intermediate printer driver component group 600, an extra Setting items are not displayed.

In the above example, conversion rules must be set in advance. Basically, an intermediate driver (information processing module 100, intermediate printer driver component group 600) for each intermediate driver (standard driver (printer driver 170)). 1) need to be prepared.
In step S806 of the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 8 described above, a conversion rule can be generated by adding the process of the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 170), an intermediate driver (information processing module 100) can be provided. That is, a plurality of printer drivers 170 can be managed by one information processing module 100.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the present embodiment (mainly the execution request conversion module 120). The following shows an example of handling when a function or setting for which conversion processing is not defined in advance performed by the execution request conversion module 120 is included in a print execution request.
In step S1102, a print execution request and interpretation result are received from the execution request receiving module 110.
In step S1104, configuration information (Print Capabilities 686, Print Capabilities 688) is acquired from the printer driver Core module 611 of the intermediate driver itself and the printer driver Core module 621 of the standard driver.

In step S1106, the following (the processing from step S1108 to step S1114) is repeated for each function (or each setting) requested to be printed.
In step S1108, it is determined whether the setting value requested for printing is included in the configuration information (Print Capabilities 688) of the standard driver. If included, the process proceeds to step S1114 (no conversion processing is required). The process proceeds to S1110 (conversion processing is necessary).

In step S1110, the interpretation result of the print request is combined with the configuration information (Print Capabilities 688) of the standard driver, and the setting value on the standard driver side that intends the same request is specified. For example, the setting value [101] is interpreted as “Tray1” in accordance with the definition of GPD, and the execution request conversion module 120 that does not have a conversion rule is a transfer destination standard driver (a predetermined standard driver or a later-described standard driver). The setting value of “Tray1” is extracted from the configuration information of the standard driver is selected. Then, a conversion rule for changing from the set value [101] to the set value [1] is generated.
In step S1112, the setting value requested for printing is converted into the specified setting value. For example, in FIG. 3, the set value [101] is converted to [1] which is “Tray1”.

In step S1114, it is determined whether or not all functions (or settings) have been processed within the target print execution request. If processed, the process proceeds to step S1116; otherwise, the process returns to step S1108.
In step S 1116, the processing result is passed to the execution request transfer module 130.

In addition to the addition of the processing according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 11, the transfer destination (printer driver 170) of the print execution request set in the execution request transfer module 130 is set as the intermediate driver (information processing module 100). You may provide a mechanism that can be changed arbitrarily after installation. For example, an application / printer driver correspondence table 1200 may be provided. The execution request transfer module 130 may select and transfer the printer driver 170 in accordance with the application / printer driver correspondence table 1200. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the application / printer driver correspondence table 1200. The application / printer driver correspondence table 1200 has an application column 1210 and a printer driver column 1220. The application column 1210 stores the identifier of the application 150. The printer driver column 1220 stores the identifier of the printer driver 170 (the identifier may include a name). The application / printer driver correspondence table 1200 is generated when the application 150 makes a print execution request. After that, it may be changed at an arbitrary time by a user operation or the like. Using the application / printer driver correspondence table 1200, the execution request transfer module 130 can select the printer driver 170 in accordance with the application 150.
By combining these, even if a plurality of types of standard drivers (printer drivers 170) exist in the same environment, it is possible to cope with one intermediate driver (information processing module 100).

  A hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus 200 and the image processing apparatus 250 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 13 is configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or the like, and illustrates a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1317 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1318 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1301 is the various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the application 150, the OS 160, the information processing module 100, the execution request receiving module 110, the execution request converting module 120, and the execution request transferring module 130. The control unit executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module such as the printer driver 170.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1302 stores programs used by the CPU 1301, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1303 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1301, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1304 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1304 is connected via a bridge 1305 to an external bus 1306 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus.

  A keyboard 1308 and a pointing device 1309 such as a mouse are devices operated by an operator. The display 1310 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information. Alternatively, a touch screen or the like having both functions of the pointing device 1309 and the display 1310 may be used. In that case, with respect to the realization of the keyboard function, even if the keyboard 1308 is not physically connected, a keyboard (so-called software keyboard, screen keyboard, etc.) is drawn on the screen (touch screen) by software, You may make it implement | achieve the function of a keyboard.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1311 includes a hard disk (may be a flash memory or the like), drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1301 and information. The hard disk realizes functions as a setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61111, a setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 62111, and the like. Further, various other data, various computer programs, and the like are stored.

  The drive 1312 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1313 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads the data or program into an interface 1307 and an external bus 1306. , The bridge 1305, and the RAM 1303 connected via the host bus 1304. The removable recording medium 1313 can also be used as a data recording area.

  The connection port 1314 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1315 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1314 is connected to the CPU 1301 and the like via the interface 1307, the external bus 1306, the bridge 1305, the host bus 1304, and the like. A communication unit 1316 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1317 is, for example, a scanner, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1318 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configurations of the information processing apparatus 200 and the image processing apparatus 250 shown in FIG. 13 show one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. Any configuration can be used as long as it can execute the module described in. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line Alternatively, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 13 may be connected to each other via a communication line so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, in addition to personal computers, portable information communication devices (including mobile phones, smartphones, mobile devices, wearable computers, etc.), information appliances, robots, copiers, fax machines, scanners, printers, multifunction devices (scanners, printers, An image processing apparatus having two or more functions such as a copying machine and a fax machine) may be incorporated.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
Then, the whole or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part or all of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information processing module 110 ... Execution request reception module 120 ... Execution request conversion module 130 ... Execution request transfer module 150 ... Application 160 ... OS
170: Printer driver 200 ... Information processing device 250 ... Image processing device 290 ... Communication line 310 ... Setting value 315 ... Devmode value 320 ... PT
325 ... Tray1
330 ... Default value 335 ... AutoSelect
350 ... GPD file storage module 360 ... conversion processing 410 ... alternative execution processing module 600 ... intermediate printer driver component group 605 ... XPS spool file storage module 606 ... print spooler 607 ... port monitor 611 ... printer driver core module 6111 ... configuration module 61111 ... Setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 61112 ... Expansion prohibition module 621 ... Printer driver Core module 6211 ... Configuration module 62111 ... Setting item / prohibition (GPD / PPD) storage module 62112 ... Expansion prohibition module 6212 ... UI module 6213 ... Rendering module 6214 ... Connector Module 670 ... printer driver component group 682 ... DEVMODE / PrintTicket
684, 686, 688 ... Print Capabilities
690 ... Printer

Claims (6)

Accepting means for accepting a print execution request from the OS;
Conversion means for converting the execution request received by the reception means into an execution request interpretable by a printer driver according to a conversion rule;
An information processing apparatus comprising transfer means for transferring the execution request converted by the conversion means to the printer driver. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit that stores in advance a definition of an execution request that can be accepted by the printer driver, and makes the definition accessible by the OS. The storage means stores a GPD file in which functions or settings that can be processed by the printer driver are defined.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. Generating means for generating the conversion rule using configuration information of the printer driver;
The conversion means performs conversion processing according to the conversion rule generated by the generation means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A selection unit that selects a destination printer driver of the transfer unit;
The generation unit generates the conversion rule using configuration information of a printer driver selected by the selection unit.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. Computer
Accepting means for accepting a print execution request from the OS;
Conversion means for converting the execution request received by the reception means into an execution request interpretable by a printer driver according to a conversion rule;
An information processing program for causing an execution request converted by the conversion means to function as a transfer means for transferring to the printer driver.

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