JP6225464B2 - Information processing apparatus, print setting takeover method, and printer driver - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a feature in print settings, a print setting takeover method, and a printer driver.

In recent years, companies and the like have introduced a common model printer driver (herein simply referred to as a printer driver) that can support a plurality of types of printers. The printer driver switches the output destination printer in accordance with a user instruction, and displays a print setting screen corresponding to the switching destination printer. The user can perform desired printing by performing print settings on the displayed print setting screen.
That is, if a user installs one printer driver in an information processing apparatus that controls a plurality of types of printers, it is not necessary to install a plurality of model-specific printer drivers for each installed printer.
This printer driver is often used in a server client environment having a plurality of printers and a mobile environment in which printing can be performed by appropriately switching printers in a conference room or on the go.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer system representing a server client environment using a printer driver. This printer system shows a network printer system configured by connecting a plurality of printers 106 to 111 and a plurality of client PCs (Personal Computers) 103 to 105 via a server PC 102 as one information processing apparatus.
That is, one server PC 102, a plurality of printers 106 to 111, and a plurality of client PCs 103 to 105 are connected to the network 101. In this network system, a printer driver is installed in the server PC 102. A plurality of printers 106 to 111 can be controlled with this printer driver. In the server PC 102, print settings can be performed for each icon, that is, for each of the connected printers 106 to 111. The client PCs 103 to 105 can also perform user-specific print settings different from the server PC 102 for each icon that is point-and-print connected.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of another printer system that uses a printer driver. This is a printer system in a so-called mobile environment in which one mobile PC 202 and a plurality of, for example, two printers 203 and 204 are switched and used. In this printer system, a printer driver is installed in the mobile PC 202. The mobile PC 202 is carried by the user and connected to the printer 204 at a certain location, for example, to perform printing (FIG. 17A). Thereafter, printing is performed by switching to the printer 203 at a different location (FIG. 17B).

With this printer driver, when performing print settings when the printer model of the switching destination has changed, the method for automatically initializing the print settings already set by the user and the print settings before switching are inherited as they are and new settings are made. There is known a method for using an output printer.
The conventional printer driver employs one of the methods of initializing all the print settings or taking over the print settings as they are when the printer is switched. For this reason, print settings that are not desired by the user may be initialized or taken over.

That is, the method for initializing all print settings has the following problems. For example, when a printer driver is used with a printer as an output destination, initialization is performed when switching to another printer that supports all the functions of the printer.
In particular, in a large-scale printer system environment as shown in FIG. 16, the output destination printers 106 to 111 are mainly switched by the server PC 102, and when the output destination is switched, the print settings of the server PC 102 are initialized. . In addition, the print settings of all the client PCs 103 to 105 connected to the server PC 102 may be initialized, which is troublesome because the user needs to perform a desired print setting operation again.

  On the other hand, there may be a problem when the print settings are taken over as they are. For example, a user who uses a printer driver with a printer that cannot perform color printing on a monochrome machine as an output destination is assumed. When the user switches the output destination to another printer that is a color machine, the print settings are inherited as they are. As a result, the print setting after switching becomes monochrome regardless of switching to the color machine.

  In particular, in a mobile environment where the output destination is often switched to the output destination printer shown in FIG. 17, the specifications of the switching source printer and the switching destination printer are often incompatible. Therefore, print settings that should be inherited and print settings that should not be inherited may be mixed. This is also a problem from the viewpoint of ease of understanding for the user.

  As described above, there is a problem in the alternative print setting method of taking over or initializing in the case of switching the output destination printer in the use environment of the printer using the printer driver.

For these problems, for example, in Patent Document 1, the print setting of the function to be inherited is set to the already set based on the inheritance information indicating whether or not the print setting (value) is inherited for each function of the printer. For functions that are not inherited, it is described that the print setting is set to the output destination printer.
As for the option function, if the option function of the switching destination printer is to be validated, the setting of the switching destination printer is made possible by setting the “no takeover” setting in the takeover information.
As a result, the number of cases where the user prints with the desired print settings without newly setting again increases, and the number of cases where the print setting work after switching can be reduced can be reduced.

  However, in the print setting method described in Patent Document 1, the takeover information describing whether or not takeover is possible does not take into account model information such as whether or not the print setting can be executed in the switching destination printer. . Therefore, it is not possible to select whether or not to take over the print settings according to the model information of the switching destination printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow the user to newly set print settings by considering model information of the printer at the switching destination when switching the output destination printer by the printer driver. This is to limit the case where re-execution is necessary, thereby reducing the burden of print setting on the user.

An information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of printers and includes a printer driver common to the plurality of printers. When the user switches an output destination printer, the user's print settings are inherited. The handover condition setting means for accepting and setting the selection relating to the conditions, and the print setting takeover mode in the set takeover conditions are discriminated. When the takeover mode is automatic discrimination, information of a plurality of functions of the switching source printer is included. Model information comparison means for obtaining a comparison result obtained by comparing the model information and the model information including information of a plurality of functions of the switching destination printer for each function according to a predetermined discrimination criterion in the takeover condition; and the model information comparison means Based on the comparison result acquired in step 3, the function in the model information indicates whether to take over or initialize the print settings when switching the output destination printer. Possess a print setting reflection means for judging, to the predetermined determination criterion, the default value of the function of the printer, the print setting reflection means, the print setting whether a difference of the default value as a discrimination criterion It is an information processing apparatus that determines whether to take over or initialize .

According to the present invention, when switching the output destination printer by the printer driver, to consider the model information including information of a plurality of functions of the switching destination of the printer for each function, so that the user again anew print setting Case Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of print setting for the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration that uses a printer driver of the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by a printer driver and files used by the printer driver. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of a model information file used in the printer driver illustrated in FIG. 2. It is an example of a screen provided by the takeover condition setting means and displayed on the screen of the user PC in FIG. 1, that is, a Printer Selection screen for selecting an output destination printer. It is a print setting takeover detail screen provided by the takeover condition setting means. It is a figure which shows an example of the taking over condition memorize | stored (saved) in the taking over condition storage area set by the taking over condition setting means. FIG. 6 is a display screen when the takeover conditions selected on the print setting takeover details screen shown in FIG. 5 are displayed on the Printer Selection screen of FIG. 4. It is a flowchart of the process sequence of a model information comparison means. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which preserve | saves the result of the comparison 1 which compared the content of two model information files by using a default value as a discrimination | determination reference | standard in an inter-model information storage area. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which preserve | saves the result of having compared the content of the model information file about a switching source and a switching destination printer on the basis of a "prohibition" in a model information storage area. It is a figure which shows an example of the model information preserve | saved at a model information comparison area by a model information comparison means. It is a figure which shows an example of a customization file. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of “Comparison 1” when a customization file is included in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of “Comparison 2” when a customization file is included in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 10. It is a flowchart of the process sequence by a print setting taking over means. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer system representing a server client environment that uses a printer driver. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the other printer system which uses a printer driver.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described first.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration that uses the printer driver of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a user PC 302 and printers 303, 304, and 305. A printer driver is installed in the user PC 302. The user PC 302 performs printing by appropriately switching the printers 303, 304, and 305 using a printer driver.
FIG. 1 shows that the printer 303 is connected as an output destination printer.

Next, a printer driver provided in the user PC 302 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by the printer driver 401 and files used by the printer driver 401.
In FIG. 2, a takeover condition setting unit 404, a print setting takeover unit 405, and a model information comparison unit 406 are function realizing units that are realized by installing the printer driver 401 in the computer of the information processing apparatus. The model information file 402 and the customization file 403 are files bundled with the conventional printer driver.
In the figure, reference numeral 409 denotes a storage area of the storage means for storing the handover condition set by the handover condition setting means 404 and the after-model information acquired by the model information comparison means 406. The storage area 409 includes a takeover condition storage area 407 for storing takeover conditions and an inter-model information storage area 408 for storing inter-model information. The storage area 409 is an area in which information such as a registry and a file can be stored.

  In the present embodiment, the processing procedure of each means described above is supported by incorporating some necessary processing procedures into the printer driver 401 instead of newly creating and adding a module other than the module installed with the printer driver 401. To do.

Here, the takeover condition setting unit 404 provides a print setting takeover detail screen for selecting whether to initialize the print setting or take over as it is when the user switches the output destination printer.
On the print setting takeover details screen, the user selects a takeover condition regarding whether to initialize the print setting or take over the print setting. The takeover condition selected by the user is stored in the takeover condition storage area 407. That is, the takeover condition setting unit 404 has a function of accepting a selection regarding a takeover condition of the user's print setting and saving (storing) the selected takeover condition in the takeover condition storage area 407 as a storage unit.

The model information comparison unit 406 confirms the takeover conditions stored in the takeover condition storage area 407 of the storage area 409 of the user PC 302 and then determines the contents (model information) of the model information file 402 of the switching source and switching destination printers. Are compared (for example, default values and prohibitions), and the result (here, the difference of the discrimination criteria or the presence or absence of satisfaction) is acquired (or extracted).
If there is a file (customization file) 403 describing the customization content in the installation package of the printer driver 401, the model information comparison unit 406 acquires the result in consideration of the customization content. The acquired result is stored in the inter-model information storage area 408 in the user PC 302 as inter-model information.

  When the takeover mode is automatic determination, the print setting takeover unit 405 determines whether to take over or initialize the print setting when the output destination printer is switched based on the inter-model information acquired by the model information comparison unit 406. To do. Also, processing related to the print settings is performed accordingly.

Next, the model information file 402 will be described.
In the present embodiment, the printer driver 401 has a model information file 402 in order to support a plurality of models of printers. The finisher is a device having functions such as finishing of printed paper, and is attached as an option to a printer or the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the model information file 402 used by the printer driver 401 shown in FIG.
The model information file 402 defines a printer model name, a function or option name of the printer, a default value of the function or option, an exclusive condition regarding the function, a function or an option. Called).

  3A, 3 </ b> B, and 3 </ b> C, “model” is a printer model name, “feature name” is a function name that the printer has, “option name” is an option name that the printer has, and “default” is a function Alternatively, an optional default value, “constraint fixvalue” represents a fixed value when the exclusion condition is met, and “condition expression” represents the exclusion condition. It also represents the functions and options of the printer.

The printer 303 described in the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3A has “color monochrome”, “double-sided”, and “staple” as functions, and “finisher” as an option.
The choice of the “color monochrome” function is “color” or “monochrome”, and the default value is “color”. Options for the “double-sided” function are “OFF (single-sided printing)”, “open left” or “open upward”, and the default value is “OFF”.
In addition, the options for the function of “staple (stapler staple processing)” are “OFF (no staple clamp processing)”, “two locations on top” or “two locations on the left”, and the default value is “OFF”. is there. When “Finisher” is “OFF”, the value of “Staple” is also fixed to “OFF”.
Further, the option of “finisher” is “OFF (no finisher function)” or “ON (with finisher function)”, and the default value is “OFF”.

Next, the printer 304 described in the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3B has “color monochrome”, “double-sided”, “aggregation”, and “staple” as functions, and “finisher” as an option. Have.
“Color monochrome”, “double-sided”, “staple” as functions of the printer 304, and “finisher” as options are the same functions and options as the printer 303, and the options are also the same. Therefore, here, “aggregation” of functions different from the printer 303 will be described.
The option of the “aggregation” function is “OFF (output as it is on one sheet as it is)” or “2 in 1 (aggregation of two images into one image)”, and the default value is “OFF”.

The printer 305 described in the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3C has “aggregation”, “color monochrome”, “paper orientation”, and “staple” as functions, and “finisher” as an option. ing.
Also here, a function “paper orientation” different from the printer 303 and printer 304 will be described.
The choice of the “paper orientation” function is “vertical” or “horizontal”, and the default value is “vertical”. However, the “color monochrome” function of the printer 305 is different from the printer 303 and the printer 304 in that the default value is “monochrome” and the option of the function is only “monochrome”.
Hereinafter, the default values of the printer 303, the printer 304, and the printer 305 are assumed to be set as described above unless otherwise specified.
The customization file 403 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, when the output destination printer is changed, the printer driver 401 reads the model information file 402 of the printer, and reflects the function and the like of the printer on a print setting takeover detail screen described later.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen provided by the takeover condition setting unit 404 and displayed on the screen of the user PC 302 of FIG. 1, that is, a Printer Selection screen 601 for selecting an output destination printer.
The display screen of FIG. 4 includes a “Current Model” output destination printer display 602, an “Select Model” output destination printer display 603, an Update button 604, a print setting takeover details button 605, an OK button 606, a cancel button 607, and an apply button. 608.
Here, the output destination printer display 602 indicates that the printer 303 is selected. When the user selects, for example, the printer 305 and clicks the Update button 604 in the “Select Model” output destination printer display 603 on the screen of FIG. 4, the screen is switched to the setting screen for the printer 305. In addition, the user selects in advance a print setting takeover condition when the printer is switched. That is, when the print setting takeover details button 605 on the Printer Selection screen 601 in FIG. 4 is clicked, the takeover condition setting means 404 brings up the print setting takeover details screen.

FIG. 5 is a print setting takeover detail screen 701 provided by the takeover condition setting means 404.
The screen of FIG. 5 includes a print setting takeover detail screen 701, a radio button 702 for “initialize all”, a radio button 703 for “takeover all”, a radio button 704 for “automatic discrimination”, a discrimination criterion 705, and a discrimination criterion “705”. "Default value" check box 706, discrimination criterion "prohibition" check box 707, combo box 708 for selecting discrimination exclusion function, add button 710, delete button 711, discrimination exclusion function list list box 709, OK button 712, It consists of a cancel button 713 and an apply button 714.

  On the print setting takeover details screen 701, the user selects a condition (takeover condition) regarding takeover of print settings. That is, when the user selects a takeover condition and presses an OK button 712, the takeover condition selected by the user is stored in the takeover condition storage area 407 by the takeover condition setting unit 404. That is, the takeover condition setting means 404 is a means for receiving and setting a takeover condition selected by the user.

Hereinafter, the print setting takeover details screen 701 will be described in detail.
In FIG. 5, the takeover mode is selected by radio buttons 702 to 704. Here, the following three takeover modes can be selected.
First, when the user selects the radio button 702 “initialize all”, the handover condition setting unit 404 stores “initialization of the selected handover mode” in the handover condition storage area 407.
In this case, the print settings are always initialized regardless of the printer. Therefore, this function is effective for a user who wants to change the setting from the beginning when the output destination printer is switched.

Next, when the user selects the radio button 703 “take over all”, the takeover condition setting unit 404 stores “selective takeover mode is takeover” in the takeover condition storage area 407.
In this case, the print setting of the switching source printer is always taken over regardless of the printer. This takeover mode is an effective function for a user who prints with complicated print settings and a user who wants to reduce print setting setting work as much as possible.

  When the user selects the radio button 704 “automatic determination”, the handover condition setting unit 404 stores “automatic determination of the selected handover mode” in the handover condition storage area 407. In this case, in accordance with the “discrimination criterion” selected by the user, the print setting takeover unit 405 determines whether to automatically take over the print settings or to initialize them. When the user selects the discrimination criterion, the information is also stored in the takeover condition storage area 407.

  When the user selects automatic discrimination with the radio button 704, a default value check box 706 for selecting whether or not to take over, a check box 707 for prohibition, a combo box 708 for selecting a discrimination exclusion function, a discrimination exclusion function A list box 709 of a list is displayed. When a handover mode other than automatic determination is selected, the display of these functions is grayed out.

  When the user selects the “automatic determination” radio button 704 and selects the default value check box 706 as the determination criterion 705, the print setting takeover means uses only the “default value” of the function of the printer as the determination criterion. A step 405 determines whether or not to take over the print settings, and performs processing according to the determination. The takeover condition setting unit 404 stores “the discrimination criterion is a default value” in the takeover condition storage area 407.

On the other hand, when the user selects the “prohibition” check box 707 of the printer function of the discrimination criterion 705, the “discrimination criterion is prohibition” is stored in the handover condition storage area 407 by the handover condition setting unit 404.
Here, the “prohibition” is a rule (convention) that prohibits setting a meaningless or unrealizable function as a print setting for a printer, for example, setting a color setting to a printer for monochrome printing.

When the user selects a function to be excluded from the determination target whether to take over from the combo box 708 for selecting the determination exclusion function and presses the add button 710, the list box 709 is added to the list of the determination exclusion function list. . “The discrimination exclusion function is function name 1, function name 2,...” Is saved in the takeover condition storage area 407 by the takeover condition setting means 404, and these functions are not subject to discrimination based on the discrimination criteria. .
Note that the discrimination criterion and the discrimination exclusion function will be further described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In the automatic determination (takeover mode), for example, the print settings are automatically taken over or initialized in accordance with the use environment of the printer shown in FIGS. Therefore, this is an effective function for a user who wants to print with appropriate print settings while omitting unnecessary print setting work.

That is, when the user selects the radio button 704 for automatic determination, the print setting takeover unit 405 determines whether to automatically take over or initialize the print setting in accordance with the switching destination printer.
As a result, adverse effects caused by uniformly defining whether the print settings by the printer driver 401 are initialized or taken over when the printer is switched can be avoided.

  In addition, by making it possible to select the “initialize all” or “takeover all” takeover mode on the print setting takeover detail screen 701, a user who desires the conventional switching method can also use it.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the takeover conditions stored (saved) in the takeover condition storage area 407 set by the takeover condition setting unit 404.
Set the takeover conditions according to the following procedure. That is, the user selects the “automatic discrimination” takeover mode and “default value” as the discrimination criterion on the print setting takeover details screen 701. As functions to be excluded from the discrimination target, “color monochrome function” and “double-sided function” are added to the list. Next, an OK button 712 is pressed and stored in the takeover condition storage area 407. Based on this takeover condition, the output destination printer is switched.

FIG. 7 is a display screen 901 when the transfer conditions selected on the print setting transfer detail screen 701 shown in FIG. 5 are displayed on the Printer Selection screen 601 of FIG. That is, FIG. 7 shows that after selecting the takeover condition shown in the takeover condition storage area 407 of FIG. 6 on the print setting takeover detail screen 701 in FIG. 5 and the user presses the OK button 712 to close the print setting takeover detail screen 701. 7 shows a state (screen) when the cursor is placed on the Update button 904 shown in FIG.
The display of the print setting takeover details dialog 909 indicates the selected takeover condition. That is, here, the takeover condition is that the takeover mode is automatic discrimination, the discrimination criterion is a default value, and the discrimination exclusion function is color monochrome, duplex.
This is the end of the description of the provided screen and its operation by the takeover condition setting means 404.

  Next, the operation of the user PC 302 by the printer driver 401 performed using the model information file 402 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of the model information comparison unit 406.
When the user gives an instruction to switch the output destination printer, the model information comparison unit 406 reads the takeover condition from the takeover condition storage area 407 (S101). Here, the takeover mode of the takeover condition is determined (S102), and if the takeover mode is automatic determination (S102, YES), the model information comparing means 406 displays the model information file 402 of the switching source printer and the model of the switching destination printer. The information file 402 is read and acquired (S103).

Next, the contents (model information) of the model information file 402 of the switching source printer and the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer are compared. That is, here, the default value of the printer function is compared (referred to as comparison 1) using the discrimination standard (S104), and the result of comparison 1 (here, the mismatch of the default value) is stored as inter-model information (S105).
Next, the contents of the two model information files 402 are compared (referred to as comparison 2) using the prohibition as a criterion (S106), and the result of comparison 2 (here, corresponding to prohibition) is stored as inter-model information (S107). ).
When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to (2) in FIG.

If the takeover mode is not automatically determined in step S102 (S102, NO), the process proceeds to (1) in FIG.
The processing procedures of comparison 1 and comparison 2 and the contents stored in the inter-model information storage area 408 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for saving the result of the comparison 1 in which the contents of the two model information files 402 are compared in the inter-model information storage area 408 using the default value as a discrimination criterion. That is, FIG. 9 shows a subroutine of comparison 1 (S104) shown in FIG.

  As a processing procedure, first, a function is searched in the model information file 402 of the switching source printer, for example, in order from the top (S201). When an unsearched function is found (S202, YES), it is determined whether or not the handover condition is a function "not set as a handover condition exclusion function" (S203).

In step S203, if the function is “set as a handover condition discrimination exclusion function” (S203, NO), the process returns to step S201.
On the other hand, if the function is “not set as a handover condition discrimination exclusion function” (S203, YES), it is confirmed whether the found function is in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer (S204).

If it is determined in step S204 that the found function is not in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer (S204, NO), the process returns to step S201.
On the other hand, when the found function is in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer (S204, YES), it is confirmed whether the default value is different for the corresponding function of the switching source and the switching destination printer (S205). When the default values are the same (S205, NO), the process returns to step S201.
On the other hand, if the default values of the functions are different (S205, YES), the comparison result (true) is stored as inter-model information (S105), and the process proceeds to the comparison 2 process of step S106 in FIG.
In step S202, when an unsearched function is not found, that is, when the search is completed (S202, NO), the process proceeds to storage as inter-model information in step S105 of FIG. In this case, “false” is stored in the inter-model information storage area 408, and the process proceeds to the process of comparison 2 in step S106 of FIG.

Here, the process of examining the difference in the model information file 402 between the switching source printer and the switching destination printer using the default value as a discrimination criterion is performed in order to avoid the setting being inherited when the default value is different.
That is, in the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3, default values are described for each function of the printer. In many cases, the default value of each function is basically the same regardless of the printer model. However, there may be a function in which the default value varies depending on the model.
For example, in the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3, the “color monochrome” function has not only the printer 303 that is a color machine but also the printer 305. However, the default value is that the printer 303 is color, whereas the printer 305 has only monochrome options and is monochrome.

  In addition, for example, the specification has been changed so that “both sides OFF (ie, single-sided printing) has been defined as the default value until now, but in future printers to be released,“ double-sided left open ”will be the default value”. There is a case. As described above, even if the same function is provided, if the default value is different, it may not be possible to perform desired printing for the printer even if the print settings are simply taken over.

More specifically, when switching from the printer 305 to the printer 303, if the print settings are inherited as they are, the color / monochrome settings are changed to monochrome, and if printing is performed as it is, printing is performed in monochrome regardless of the switching to the color machine. .
As described above, by comparing the default values of the functions of the switching source printer and the switching destination printer, if the default values are the same, the print settings are inherited. If the default values are different, the print settings are not inherited and the print settings are not inherited. Is initialized.

Next, whether or not the contents of the model information file 402 of the switching source printer and the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer are compared using “prohibition” as a discrimination criterion and the print setting is taken over as a result of the comparison 2. Processing for determining whether to initialize will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for storing the result of comparing the contents of the model information file 402 for the switching source printer and the switching destination printer in the inter-model information storage area 408 using “prohibition” as a discrimination criterion.
This is a subroutine of “Compare contents of two model information files (model information) using prohibition as a discrimination criterion” (S106) in comparison 2 in the flowchart of FIG.

  As processing procedures, steps S301 to S304 are the same as the processing procedures steps S201 to S204 using the default values shown in FIG. 9 as the determination criteria, and thus the description thereof is incorporated herein and the description is omitted.

If the found function is in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer in step S304 (S304, YES), it is confirmed whether the option set in the switching source printer is in the model information file of the switching destination printer (S305). ). That is, it is confirmed whether the option set for the function of the switching source printer is also in the model information file of the switching destination printer.
On the other hand, when the found function is not in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer (S304, NO), the process returns to step S301.

  If there is no option in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer in step S305 (S305, NO), it is considered that there is a difference, and then in step S107 in FIG. The process proceeds to storing as information (S107). For example, when the color is selected with the color / monochrome function of the printer 303 and the printer after switching has only the monochrome option with the color / monochrome function, it is regarded that there is a difference because there is no option in the model information file 402. It is.

On the other hand, when the option is in the model information file 402 of the switching destination printer (S305, YES), it is confirmed whether the exclusive condition is met (S306). Here, if the exclusion condition is satisfied (S306, YES), it is considered that there is a difference, and the process proceeds to step S107 in FIG. 8, and the comparison result is stored as inter-model information.
When the switching source printer has the finisher and stapling functions described later, it is confirmed whether the switching destination printer 305 has the finisher optional function. If there is no finisher option function and the exclusive condition is satisfied (S306, YES), the process proceeds to storage as the inter-model information in step S107 of FIG.
On the other hand, if there is an optional function of the finisher and the exclusive condition is not satisfied (S306, NO), the process returns to step S301.

As described above, in the processing procedure of the comparison 2, the comparison result is stored as the inter-model information using the prohibition as a discrimination criterion.
For example, according to the model information file 402 shown in FIG. 3, the default value of the color / monochrome function of the printer 303 is set to color. On the other hand, the printer 305 does not have a color printing option.
Therefore, when switching from the printer 303 to the printer 305, the printer 305 is forced to use the default value of monochrome without taking over the color / monochrome print settings. This case corresponds to a prohibition in the determination in step S305 “whether the option set in the switching source printer is in the model information file of the switching destination printer”.

  Similarly, in the model information file 402, between the finisher and staple functions in each of the printers 303 to 305, staples cannot be used unless the finisher is ON. For this reason, if the printer 303 is switched from the printer 303 whose print setting is the finisher ON and the staple is “two places above” to the printer 305, the printer 305 inevitably turns off the staple unless the finisher is attached. I do not get.

As described above, even when the models have the same function, if the setting falls under the prohibition of prohibiting setting as a print setting due to a difference in options or an exclusion condition, the setting cannot be taken over. There is a case.
Therefore, a case corresponding to the prohibition is acquired (extracted) and stored as inter-model information.
If the prohibition does not apply, the setting is taken over as described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inter-model information stored in the inter-model information storage area 408 by the model information comparison unit 406. As a result of comparing the model information file 402 based on the discrimination criterion of the default value of the printer function, if there is a difference between the model information of the switching source printer and the switching destination printer, “true” is set. It is also true when it is prohibited. FIG. 11 shows an example in which there is a difference.

Next, the operation of the user PC 302 performed by the printer driver 401 using the customization file 403 will be described.
The model information comparison unit 406 compares model information by always considering the print setting initial value customization. Here, “customization of print setting initial value” is a mechanism that allows the user to customize print setting restrictions such as changing the default value of a certain function or reducing the options for a certain function. This can be used simply by installing a customization file that describes the customization contents in the printer driver installation package.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the customization file. The function name is “colorbw” and the fixed value is “blackandwhite”. In other words, the contents indicate that the default value of the color / monochrome function is customized to be fixed to monochrome.
However, this is a function for customizing print settings based on the model information written in the model information file 402. The default value of the model information file 402 held by the printer driver 401 is never rewritten.

  If the customization file 403 shown in FIG. 12 exists, the model information file 402 has color options for the color / monochrome function, and even if the default value is color, monochrome installation is performed when the printer driver 401 is installed. Set to For this reason, if there is a customization file 403, it will be monochrome regardless of which printer it is switched to after installation.

  Therefore, the model information comparison unit 406 does not change the default value for color monochrome even when the default value is specified as the discrimination criterion when switching from the printer 305 having the function of the model information file 402 in FIG. Not acquired as a difference. Hereinafter, this processing procedure will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of “Comparison 1” when the customization file 403 is included in the processing procedure shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the processing procedure of “Comparison 2” when the customization file 403 is included in the processing procedure shown in FIG.
Steps S402 in FIG. 13 and step S502 in FIG. 14 up to “whether an unsearched function has been found” are the same as the processing procedures in FIGS. When an unsearched function in step S402 of FIG. 13 and step S502 of FIG. 14 is found (S402, YES; S502, YES), the customization file 403 is read (S403, S503).

Steps S404 and S405 in FIG. 13 and steps S504 and S505 in FIG. 14 are the same processing steps as steps S203 and S204 in FIG. 9 and steps S303 and S304 in FIG. 10, respectively. Therefore, the description is omitted here with the aid of this description.
Subsequently, in the flowchart of the comparison 1 processing procedure shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether the default value is not fixed in the customization file 403 (that is, whether it is a fixed value) (S406). In the flowchart of the processing procedure of comparison 2 in FIG. 14, it is similarly determined whether or not the option is fixed in the customization file 403 (S506).

If the default value is fixed or the option is fixed in the customization file 403, it is obvious that the print settings are the same before and after the switching, without determining the contents of the model information file 402.
Therefore, if the default value is fixed in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 13 (S406, NO), the process returns to step S401.
On the other hand, if the default value of the function is not fixed (S406, YES), it is determined whether the default value of the function is different (S407). If it is different (S407, YES), the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG. Save the comparison result as inter-model information.

14 also returns to step S501 if the options are fixed in the customization file 403 (S506, NO).
On the other hand, if the option is not fixed in the customization file (S506, YES), the same processing procedure as that after step S305 in FIG. 10 is continued (S507, S508).

  That is, when the customization file function and the option function options are fixed, it is determined that there is no difference even if the default value is different or the exclusion condition is met, which will be described later with reference to FIG. In this way, the print setting is taken over.

Finally, the processing procedure of the print setting takeover means 405 will be described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a processing procedure performed by the print setting takeover unit 405.
This is executed following the processing procedure of the model information comparing means 406 shown in FIG.
The print setting takeover means 405 reads the inter-model information created by the model information comparison means 406 and the takeover conditions set by the takeover condition setting means 404, determines whether or not to take over, and performs the takeover or initialization process. I do.

In the flowchart of FIG. 15, the print setting takeover unit 405 determines that the takeover mode is not automatic discrimination in step S102 of FIG. 8, and further discriminates the mode of the takeover mode (S601). Here, when the “takeover mode” is “initialization” (S601, YES), all print settings are initialized (S602), and the output destination printer is switched.
On the other hand, when the “takeover mode” is not “initialization” (S601, NO), it is “takeover” (S603), the print settings are taken over (S608), and the output destination printer is switched.

On the other hand, in the process determined to be automatic determination in step S102 of FIG. 8, the print setting transfer means 405 determines the “discrimination criterion” in the transfer condition (S604). When the “discrimination criterion” is “default value” (S604, YES), the comparison result of the “default value” of the inter-model information is discriminated. If the comparison result of the default value is “true”, that is, the default value is “difference” (S605, YES), all print settings are initialized (S602), and the output destination printer is switched.
On the other hand, when the determination criterion is not the default value (S604, NO), or when the default value is “false”, that is, “no difference” (S605, NO), the determination criterion of the handover condition is further determined (S606).

Here, if the “discrimination criterion” is “prohibition” (S606, YES) and the “prohibition” in the inter-model information is “true” (corresponding to prohibition) (S607, YES), all print settings are initialized ( S602), the output destination printer is switched.
If the discrimination criterion is not prohibition in step S606 (S606, NO), or if the prohibition is not “true”, that is, “false” (not applicable to prohibition) (S607, NO), the print settings are inherited (S608). Switch the output printer.
(Embodiment 2)

  In the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the default value and the prohibition are provided as the discrimination criteria. However, the printer model name described in the model information file 402 can also be used as the discrimination criteria. .

First, a check box of “printer model name” is provided in the determination criteria column of the print setting takeover detail screen 701 of FIG. 5 displayed by the takeover condition setting means 404.
Next, “comparison of switching source and switching destination printer model names” and “is the same except for the last character” are added to the processing procedure shown in FIG. If the printer model name is different in the last character, it is regarded as a similar printer, and is stored as “printer model name = false” in the inter-model information storage area 408 shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, “printing criteria = printer model name?” And “printer model name = false?” Are added to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 15 in the print setting takeover means 405, and if “printer model name = false”, Add a procedure to "take over print settings".

Specifically, when the printer model name of the switching source is the color printer “5001” and the model name of the switching destination is the color printer “5002”, only the last numerical value of the model name is different.
Therefore, these printer model names are stored as “no difference”, and the model information comparison unit 406 stores “printer model name = false” in the inter-model information storage area 408.
The print setting takeover means 405 confirms that the printer model name is in the determination criteria of the takeover condition storage area 407 and the contents of the inter-model information storage area 408, and takes over or initializes the print settings.

In the first and second embodiments, when the print settings are taken over, the functions of the switching source printer and the switching destination printer are compared, and if there is any difference, the processing procedure for initializing all differences will be described. Yes.
If there is a difference compared to each function, initialization is performed if there is a difference, and if there is no difference, it is determined for each function. By default, functions such as prohibitions are initialized, and if there is no difference, it is inherited. It can also be.
By carrying out such a more detailed takeover, it is possible to switch an appropriate print setting.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Network, 102 ... Server PC, 103-105 ... Client PC, 106-111 ... Printer, 202 ... Mobile PC, 203, 204 ... Printer, 302 ... User PC, 303 to 305 ... printer, 401 ... printer driver, 402 ... model information file, 403 ... customization file, 404 ... takeover condition setting means, 405 ... print setting takeover means, 406 ... Model information comparison means, 407 ... Transfer condition storage area, 408 ... Inter-model information storage area, 409 ... Storage area, 601 ... Printer Selection screen, 604, 904 ... Update Button, 605... Print setting takeover details button, 606, 906... OK button, 701... Print setting takeover details screen, 702 ..Radio button “initialize all”, 703... Radio button “take over all”, 704... Radio button “automatic discrimination”, 705... Discrimination criterion, 706. 707... “Forbidden” check box, 708... Combo box, 709... List box for determining exclusion function list, 712... OK button, 909.

JP 2010-165059 A

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of printers and includes a printer driver common to the plurality of printers,
Takeover condition setting means for accepting and setting a selection relating to the takeover condition of the user's print setting when the user switches the output destination printer;
The print setting takeover mode in the set takeover condition is determined, and when the takeover mode is automatic determination, it includes model information including information on a plurality of functions of the switching source printer and information on a plurality of functions of the switching destination printer. Model information comparison means for acquiring a comparison result of comparing the model information for each function according to a predetermined discrimination criterion in the handover condition;
Based on the comparison result acquired by the model information comparison unit, a print setting takeover unit that determines, for each function in the model information, whether to take over or initialize the print setting when the output destination printer is switched;
I have a,
The predetermined determination criterion is a default value of the function of the printer, and the print setting takeover means determines whether the print setting is taken over or initialized based on whether or not there is a difference between the default values. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The takeover mode of the print settings is an information processing apparatus that is each takeover mode for “takeover”, “initialize”, or “automatic determination” of “takeover” or “initialize” with respect to takeover of print settings. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The information processing apparatus that determines whether the predetermined determination criterion is a prohibition in the function of the printer, and the print setting takeover unit determines whether the print setting is taken over or initialized based on whether the prohibition is applicable or not . The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The takeover condition includes a determination exclusion function for excluding determination of whether to take over or initialize the print setting of the print setting takeover means,
An information processing apparatus that takes over print settings when the take-over condition setting unit accepts selection of a discrimination exclusion function for taking over print settings . In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 3 ,
A customization file used by the printer driver is provided.
The print setting takeover means is an information processing apparatus for determining takeover when the default value described in claim 1 or the option of the printer function according to the prohibition described in claim 3 is fixed in the customization file. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The print setting takeover means, when the function information of the model information of the switching source printer is not in the model information of the switching destination printer, or when the function of the switching destination printer corresponds to the exclusion condition of the function of the switching source printer An information processing apparatus that performs initialization determination. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The predetermined discrimination criterion is a printer model name,
The print setting take-over means is an information processing apparatus that performs determination to take over or initialize print settings using a model name of the printer as a determination criterion . A print setting takeover method in an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of printers and includes a printer driver common to the plurality of printers,
According to the printer driver,
A takeover condition setting step of accepting and setting a selection related to a takeover condition of the user's print setting when the user switches the output destination printer;
The print setting takeover mode in the set takeover condition is determined, and when the takeover mode is automatic determination, it includes model information including information on a plurality of functions of the switching source printer and information on a plurality of functions of the switching destination printer. A model information comparison step of obtaining a comparison result of comparing the model information with each function according to a predetermined discrimination criterion in the handover condition;
Based on the comparison result acquired in the model information comparison step, a print setting takeover step of determining for each function in the model information whether to take over or initialize the print setting when the output destination printer is switched;
Have
The predetermined determination criterion is a default value of the function of the printer, and the print setting takeover step determines whether the print setting is to be taken over or initialized based on whether or not there is a difference between the default values. Print setting takeover method . A computer of an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of printers and includes a printer driver common to the plurality of printers.
Takeover condition setting means for accepting and setting a selection relating to the takeover condition of the user's print setting when the user switches the output destination printer;
The print setting takeover mode in the set takeover condition is determined, and when the takeover mode is automatic determination, it includes model information including information on a plurality of functions of the switching source printer and information on a plurality of functions of the switching destination printer. Model information comparison means for acquiring a comparison result of comparing the model information for each function according to a predetermined discrimination criterion in the handover condition;
A printer driver that functions as a print setting takeover unit that determines, for each function in the model information, whether to take over or initialize a print setting when the output destination printer is switched based on a comparison result acquired by the model information comparison unit. And
The predetermined determination criterion is a default value of a function of a printer, and the print setting takeover unit determines whether to take over or initialize the print setting on the basis of whether or not there is a difference in the default value .

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