JP2003216376A - Printer driver and method for outputting information in printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to acquire information associated with a printer driver without increasing the load of the user. <P>SOLUTION: A button for displaying setting information is arranged on the property setting picture of a printer driver, and when a copy button is depressed in a state that the above button is depressed and the setting information is displayed, the setting information of the printer driver and the relevant information of the printer driver such as the operation environment are copied to a clip board. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer driver and an information output method in the printer driver, and more particularly, to a printer driver and a printer driver which can obtain information about the printer driver useful for services without increasing the burden on the user. The present invention relates to an information output method in a printer driver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as an information output device in a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile or the like, a printer for recording desired information such as characters and images on a screen-shaped recording medium such as paper or film is widely used. There is.

A printer driver is installed in a computer device that uses a printer as software for controlling the printer. The printer driver plays a role of converting character or image data received from application software or OS into data that can be processed by the printer, and transmitting the data while observing the printer status. Even if hardware with the same performance is used, the print speed and quality may change depending on the performance of the printer driver.

Recent printer drivers include 2 pages and 4 pages.
Numerous additions such as a layout function to reduce the data for one page and print it on one sheet of paper, a function to add a binding margin for bookbinding, and a function to monitor the printer status and warn when the paper or toner runs out. It has functions. In addition, the driver for the color printer can finely set the hue and brightness.

In recent years, especially in offices and the like, multifunctional machines having integrated functions such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer have been introduced. In general, such a multifunction peripheral is connected to a LAN or the like and used as a shared resource (network printer) for a plurality of computer devices. Many of such office LANs are configured to share a plurality of network printers with a large number of computer devices.

In order to select a printer as an output destination from one computer in accordance with the type of document to be printed, the load condition of the printer, etc., one printer is provided in each computer device. The printer driver of will be installed.

Further, even for the same printer, the specifications of the printer driver are generally different when the specifications such as the OS are different, and it is necessary to install the printer driver according to the specifications of each computer device.

[0008]

Since the environment in which the printer is used is complicated in this way, troubles related to the operation and setting of the printer driver are increasing. If the trouble cannot be solved by the user himself / herself, the user will contact the manufacturer's service center or the like, tell the situation and ask for support.

At this time, the user needs to convey the setting information of the printer driver, and it is often the case that the setting information of the printer driver is displayed on the screen to take a memo or the setting information is transmitted while actually operating.

However, in order to provide sufficient support, the information that the user can confirm on the screen is not sufficient. For example, the version of the peripheral module required by the printer driver and the operating system (OS) that is operating. Information of the printer driver, and information about what kind of means has been selected at the time of installation may be required.

It is very difficult to obtain such information unless the user himself records and organizes it. Therefore, so-called online support via the telephone or the Internet is used to solve troubles concerning the printer driver. There is a problem that it is difficult to do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and a printer driver and information in the printer driver that can obtain information about the printer driver useful for services without increasing the burden on the user. The purpose is to provide an output method.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, one aspect of a printer driver according to the present invention is installed in a computer device connectable to a printer and controls the driving of the printer via a bidirectional interface. A printer driver for setting the printer to the printer, setting information storage means for storing setting information set via the user interface, the printer driver and the computer device. Related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to any of the above, and when the user performs a predetermined operation via the user interface, the setting information and the related information are output in a predetermined format. And information output means.

Further, one aspect of the information output method in the printer driver according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a printer installed in a computer device connectable to a printer and controlling the driving of the printer through a bidirectional interface. A method for outputting information in a driver, comprising: a setting information storing step of storing setting information set through a user interface for a user to set the printer; and any one of the printer driver and the computer device. Related information acquisition step of acquiring related information related to the above, and an information output step of outputting the setting information and the related information in a predetermined format when a predetermined operation is performed by the user via the user interface. And are equipped with.

That is, according to the present invention, in the printer driver installed in the computer device connectable to the printer and controlling the driving of the printer through the bidirectional interface, the user interface for the user to set the printer. The setting information set via the user interface is stored, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the user via the user interface, the related information related to either the printer driver or the computer device is acquired, and the setting information is related to the setting information. And information are output in a predetermined format.

In this way, the printer driver and related information such as its operating environment can be obtained by a simple operation, and for example, when a trouble occurs in the printer driver, it can be transmitted to a service center or the like. It is possible to efficiently deal with the trouble related to the printer driver without increasing the burden on the user.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a print system according to the present invention. In the figure, 101 and 102 are client computers, 103 is a multifunction machine having scanner, copy, printer, and FAX functions. Then, it is also simply referred to as a printer. A computer network 104, such as a LAN, connects the client computers 101 and 102 to the printer 103.

Client computers 101 and 10
2, a printer driver for the printer 103 is installed, and when a print command is issued from an operating application, the printer driver is activated and the document or image data is converted into print data in a format printable by the printer 103. Converted and computer network 104
Is transmitted to the printer 103 via. Then, the printer 103 executes printing according to the received print data.

Client computers 101 and 10
2 may be of any form as long as it is a computer device having a general configuration of an information processing device, but here, a device having a display screen as an output device and a communication device connectable to a network is provided. Will be described as an example.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a general information processing apparatus that can be used as a client computer. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus includes a CPU 1301 for controlling the entire apparatus and an input device 13 such as a keyboard and a mouse for an operator to input instructions and information.
02 and ROM or RAM accessed by the CPU 1301
Information to a main storage device 1303 such as a display device, an output device 1304 which is a display screen such as a monitor for providing information to an operator, a hard disk, and a removable storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM. Storage device 1305 for reading and writing data and communication device 130 for accessing the computer network 104
6 and. Further, 1307 is a bus for connecting each unit in the apparatus.

Further, the printer 103 may be any printer as long as it can receive print data via a network, but here, a multifunction peripheral having scanner, copy, printer and FAX functions is taken as an example. Explain.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a multifunction machine that can be used as the printer 103. As shown in the figure, the multi-function device includes a document reading unit (reader) 140.
1, a control unit 1402, a printer unit 1403, and a power supply unit 1404.

In the document reading unit 1401, 150
Reference numeral 1 is a reader controller for controlling the document reading unit, 1507 is a document feeding device, 1506 is a reading optical system, 1503 is a document feeding device 1507 and an optical system 150.
6, a motor 1506 for driving the motor 1503, a motor driver for the motor 1503, 1505 a CCD for converting the reflected light from the document into an electrical signal, and 1504 a reader image processing unit for performing image processing on the signal output from the CCD. 150
8 and 1509 are leader controllers 15 respectively
ROM and RAM for 01.

In the control unit 1402, 1510 is a system controller for controlling the entire complex machine, and 1511 is a boot RO in which an initial program for activation is built.
M, 1512 are SRAMs, 1513 are DRAM for storing program data for control, work memory, and temporary image data, 1514 is a LAN board for accessing the computer network 104, 15
Reference numeral 16 is a FAX board, and 1519 is a display / operation unit for displaying the state of the apparatus and for the user to give an operation instruction such as copying. Reference numeral 1517 is a hard disk for storing a boot program and image data for storage, 1515 is a hard disk controller for controlling reading and writing of the hard disk, 1
A printer image processing unit 518 performs signal processing of image data to be output to the printer.

In the printer unit 1403, 1521 is a laser driver for performing laser control in accordance with image data to be printed, and 1522 is a printer engine.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a printer controller for controlling the laser driver 1521 and the printer engine 1522, and 1523.
And 1524 are printer controller 1520, respectively.
ROM and RAM for.

In the power supply unit 1404, 1530 is a power supply unit 1 for supplying power to the document reading unit 1401 and printer unit 1403, and 1531 is a power supply unit 2 for supplying power to the control unit 1402.

The network 1 is provided in the multifunction machine having such a configuration.
Client computer 101 or 10 via 04
When print data to be printed is sent from 2, the LAN
The print data is stored in the DRAM 513 via the board 514. The data is the system controller 510
It is expanded to bitmap image data by
It is stored in AM513. The image data stored in the DRAM 513 is subjected to processing such as gamma conversion by the printer image processing unit 518 via the system controller 510,
Under the control of the printer controller 520, print output is performed by the laser driver 521 and the printer engine 522.

Further, a finisher for performing finishing processing such as double-sided printing, sorting, bookbinding and binding is generally connectable to such a multifunction machine as an option, but in the following description, the finisher is connected. It is assumed that it is in a closed state.

The user interface of the printer driver for the printer 103, which is a multifunction machine, installed in the client computers 101 and 102 described above will be described below.

2 to 6 are setting screens displayed by the printer driver when the user sets the properties (attributes) of the printer, and FIG. 2 shows page setting-related screens.
Page Setup screen, Figure 3 shows Finis related to finishing settings
hing screen, Fig. 4 shows Paper Source screen related to paper source setting,
FIG. 5 shows a Quality screen related to print quality setting, and FIG. 6 shows a Configuration screen related to printer state setting.

With the Page Setup screen 201 for setting the page shown in FIG. 2 displayed, the paper size setting 209,
The number of copies 210, the sheet orientation setting 211, the page layout setting 212, the scaling setting 213, and the watermark setting 214 can be selected by the user with a pointing device such as a mouse. Two
In the image drawing area 07, the current device configuration status and page setting status are displayed as illustrations.

The Veiw Settings button 208 is a button for displaying a dialog box for confirming the setting information of the printer driver, and this dialog box will be described in detail later. A custom paper setting button 216 is a button for displaying a dialog box for setting custom size paper, and a default setting button 215 is a button for returning the settings related to Page Setup to the factory defaults. Furthermore, 218
OK button to activate the setting and end the process 219
Is a cancel button that invalidates the setting and ends the processing.

Note that heading buttons 202 to 206 showing respective setting items are provided so that the Page Setup screen 201 can be changed to another setting screen, and the user can select any heading button with a pointing device. When pressed (clicked), the corresponding screen is displayed.

Finish for setting the finishing setting shown in FIG.
While the ing screen 301 is displayed, the user can select the single-sided / double-sided / bookbinding setting 309, the binding position setting 310, and the finishing setting 311 by the user selecting with a pointing device such as a mouse. In the image drawing area 307, as in the image drawing area 207 of the Page Setup screen 201 of FIG. 2, the current state of the copier device configuration and the state of page setting are displayed.

The Veiw Settings button 308 is the View Settings button 208 on the Page Setup screen 201 shown in FIG.
Is the same as. Further, the stapling position designation button 312 is a button for displaying a dialog box for designating the stapling position, and the detailed setting button 314 is
The button that displays a dialog box for more advanced settings, and the default setting button of 313 is Fini.
This button restores shing settings to the factory defaults. Further, 315 is an OK button for validating the setting and ending the processing, and 316 is a cancel button for invalidating the setting and ending the processing.

Note that heading buttons 302 to 306 indicating respective setting items are provided so that the Finishing screen 301 can be changed to another setting screen, and the user presses any one of the heading buttons with a pointing device. Then, the corresponding screen is displayed.

In the state where the Paper Source screen 401 for setting the paper feed shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the selection of the paper feed designation method of 409, the selection of the paper feed tray designation method of 410, and the selection of the paper feed tray of 411 are performed. This can be done by the user selecting with a pointing device such as a mouse. In the image drawing area 407, like the image drawing area 207 of the Page Setup screen 201 in FIG.
The page setup status is displayed.

The Veiw Settings button 408 is the View Settings button 208 on the Page Setup screen 201 shown in FIG.
Is the same as. The default setting button of 412 is Pape
r This button restores the settings related to Source to the factory defaults. Further, 413 is an OK button for validating the setting and ending the processing, and 414 is a cancel button for invalidating the setting and ending the processing.

Note that heading buttons 402 to 406 indicating respective setting items are provided so that the Paper Source screen 401 can be switched to other setting screens, and the user can select any heading button with a pointing device. When pressed, the corresponding screen is displayed.

While the Quality screen 501 for setting the print quality shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the user can set negative / positive of the image 509, mirror inversion setting 510, halftone setting 510, and manual grayscale setting 511. This can be done by selecting with a pointing device such as a mouse. In the image drawing area of 507, PageSetup of FIG.
Similar to the image drawing area 207 of the screen 201, the current status of the copier device configuration and page setting status are displayed.

The Veiw Settings button 508 is the View Settings button 208 on the Page Setup screen 201 shown in FIG.
Is the same as. A button 512 displays an output format setting dialog box, a detailed setting button 513 displays a detailed setting dialog box relating to print quality, and a default setting button 514 displays the Quality screen settings at the time of factory shipment. This button restores the default. Further, 515 is an OK button for validating the setting and ending the processing, and 516 is a cancel button for invalidating the setting and ending the processing.

Heading buttons 502 to 506 indicating respective setting items are provided so that the Quality screen 501 can be changed to another setting screen, and the user presses any one of the heading buttons with a pointing device. Then, the corresponding screen is displayed.

Configur for setting the printer status shown in FIG.
In the state in which the ation screen 601 is displayed, the user can set the device configuration status by appropriately selecting a check box with a pointing device such as a mouse. In 608, whether or not a side paper deck is installed, 609
In step 610, the presence / absence of the paper discharge option device is set, and in step 610, the presence / absence of the document inserter device is set. 611 sets whether the print job is spooled once on the host side. 612 sets whether to perform job accounting.

On the configuration screen 601, the image copying area 607 displays the current copying machine equipment configuration. In addition, since there is no print-related setting in the setting on the Configuration screen 601, it is displayed on another screen.
There is no View Settings button. Of course, on this screen Veiw
You can place a Settings button. Further, 613 is an OK button for validating the setting and ending the processing, and 614 is a cancel button for invalidating the setting and ending the processing.

Heading buttons 602 to 606 indicating respective setting items are provided so that the Configuration screen 601 can be changed to another setting screen.
When the user presses one of the heading buttons on the pointing device, the corresponding screen is displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 7 to FIG.
208, 30 in each screen of 1, 301, 401, 501
The dialog boxes that are respectively displayed when the Veiw Settings buttons 8, 408 and 508 are pressed will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the View Setup on the Page Setup screen 201.
A dialog box displayed when the ngs button 208 is pressed, 701 is a PageSetup setting information display screen, 707 is a setting information display area for displaying the current setting information set on the PageSetup screen 201,
For each item that can be set on the Page Setup screen, the item name of the setting is displayed on the left side and the contents of the current setting are displayed on the right side in text format.

For example, in the Page Setup screen 201 of FIG. 2, since the Page Size 209 is set to the Letter size, the Page Set of the setting information dialog box 701 is set.
item name on the first line of the up setting information display screen 702 "Page
"Letter" is displayed as the content of "Size". This is the same for other settings. Page Setup screen 20
The dialog box displayed further from No. 1, for example, the contents set in the custom paper size setting dialog box 216 also shows the Page Setup setting information display screen 70.
The second setting information display area 707 is displayed at the same level.

The setting copy button 708 is Page
In addition to the contents displayed on the Setup setting information display screen 702, the Finishing setting information display screen (described later), Paper
Source setting information display screen, Quality setting information display screen, C
The contents displayed on the onfiguraiton setting information display screen 706 and the peripheral information of the printer driver are copied to the clipboard provided in the operating system. The operation when this button is pressed and the contents copied to the clipboard will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 709 is an OK button for closing the setting display dialog box 701.

The page setup setting information display screen 70
The heading buttons 702 to 706 indicating the respective setting names are provided so that the screen can be switched from 1 to another setting information display screen, and when the user presses one of the heading buttons with the pointing device, the corresponding setting is performed. The information display screen is displayed.

The setting information set on each setting screen and displayed on each setting information display screen is stored in a predetermined storage area managed by the printer driver, but the storage format is not particularly limited. For example, it may be stored in a specific file in a table format so as to facilitate display on each screen.

8 to 11 show the Finishing screen 30.
1, Paper Source screen 401, Quality screen 501, Con
308, 40 on each figuration screen 601
8 shows the dialog boxes displayed when the View Settings button of 8, 508, 608 is pressed, and the contents displayed on the setting information display screen of these dialog boxes are the same as the contents described with reference to FIG. 7.

Next, 701, 801, 901, 100
On each setting information display screen of 1, 1101,
The operation when the setting information copy buttons 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108 are pressed will be described.

When the user presses this button, the printer driver displays the texts displayed in the setting information display areas 707 to 1107, the printer module name, the printer driver name, and the configuration module file including the printer driver body. Acquire related information such as name and version number in text format. Then, the acquired information is used as an API prepared in the operating system.
(Application Programming
Interface) to copy to the clipboard provided in the operating system.

The related information includes information stored in a storage area different from the above setting information. For example, information that is managed in a file format by the OS is also included for each installed software.

The clipboard is a function for temporarily holding (storing) data included in the OS in the main memory. As a general usage, the user can specify the displayed character (text) or figure and execute a command such as “Cut” or “Copy” to display the specified character or figure. The data is temporarily stored on the clipboard. After that, when "paste" or "paste" is executed, the data held in the clipboard is transferred to the application, and thus the data transfer between the applications becomes possible.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams showing examples of contents copied to the clipboard when the setting information copy button is pressed. In the figure, 1201 is the printer name and printer driver name, and 1202 is Page
Setup Contents of setting information display area 707, 1203: Fini
Contents of shing setting information display area 807, 1204 Paper
Source setting information display area 907 contents: 1205: Qua
Content of the lity setting information display area 1007, 1206 is Conf
The contents of the iguration setting information display area 1107. Reference numeral 1207 denotes the file name and version information of the printer driver constituent module including the printer driver main body.

The operation of the printer driver in this embodiment will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the property of the printer driver is selected by the user, a default screen (eg 201) is displayed (step S1501), and OK or
It is checked whether the Cancel button has been pressed (step S1502). If none of the buttons has been pressed, it is checked whether the heading button for screen selection has been pressed (step S1503). If any of the heading buttons has been pressed, the display is switched to the corresponding setting screen. (Step S1504). Although not shown in the figure, in this state, the setting and the change of the setting regarding the normal property are performed as necessary.

It is checked whether the View Settings button has been pressed on the setting screen (step S150).
5) If not pressed, step S1502
Then, the process is repeated and the setting information corresponding to the currently displayed setting screen is displayed when the button is pressed (step S1506).

After displaying the setting information, it is checked whether or not the heading button for selecting the setting information to be displayed is pressed (step S1507), and if any of the heading buttons is pressed, the setting information display screen is switched ( Step S1508). Then, it is checked whether or not the Copy button has been pressed (step S1508), and if it has been pressed, the information displayed in each setting information display area and the above-mentioned related information are acquired in text format (step S1509). ), The acquired text is copied to the clipboard (step S1510).

If the Copy button is not pressed in step S1508, it is checked whether or not the OK button is pressed (step S1511). When the OK button is pressed, the display of the setting information is terminated, and step S1
Returning to 502, the process is repeated.

If the OK button is not pressed in step S1511, and after the processing in step S1510 is completed, the process returns to step S1507 to repeat the processing.

On the other hand, in step S1502, OK or Ca
If the ncel button is pressed, the setting is updated if it is changed, and if not, the end processing is performed as it is (step S
1512) The process related to the property ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The printer driver setting information and related information are copied to the clipboard by a simple operation.

In this way, the user can print these information if necessary, or transmit it as electronic data to, for example, a service center. Specifically, the user copies the printer driver peripheral information (printer driver version information, printer version information, printer option information, etc.) copied to the clipboard and the setting information set by the printer driver to a file, By sending an e-mail with the file attached to the service center, or printing the file and faxing the file to the service center, information about the printer driver can be easily transmitted to the service center.

Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently deal with the trouble concerning the printer driver without increasing the burden on the user.

<Modification> In the above embodiment, the printer name, the printer driver name, the contents of each setting information display area, the module name of the printer driver and the version information are set to 708, 808, 908, 1008, 110.
Although it is targeted for copying when any of the setting information copy buttons of 8 is pressed, other than this, information such as operating system version and user customization information, coexisting printer driver names and file versions, etc. The name and version information of the installed application, the update history of the target printer driver, and how it was installed, for example, whether the system standard installation or the network installation was performed. , Or installation type information such as whether it was installed using its own installer,
Other information relating to the printing environment may be added.

Further, in the above embodiment, 708 and 80
Although the setting information is copied to the clipboard of the operating system by pressing the setting information copy button of any one of 8, 908, 1008, and 1108, the output destination of the setting information is a file, an application such as mail software, or the like. It may be output to a setting information receiving server of a support center via a document or a network, or may be another output destination capable of handling text information.

Further, by pressing the setting information copy button, a text file having a predetermined name may be created and the setting information may be written in the text file. In this case, if the file already exists, it is better to overwrite it and update it.

Further, when the setting information copy button is pressed, the user may specify the output destination, and the output may be performed to the specified output destination.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the related information is acquired after the user presses the copy button, but the related information may be acquired in advance and stored in a predetermined area or file. .

<Other Embodiments> In the above embodiments, as the printer according to the present invention, a scanner, a copy machine, a printer, or a printer, which can receive print data via a network, is used.
Although the multi-function peripheral having the AX function has been described as an example, the present invention can be applied to all types of printers configured to install and use a printer driver in a computer device and the printer driver. of course,
Not only a printer that receives print data via a network but also a printer that is used by being serially connected to a computer device may be used.

The printer driver of the present invention is usually supplied in the form of a program, but a storage medium storing the code of this program is also included in the present invention. As the storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowchart (shown in FIG. 15).

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The printer driver and related information such as its operating environment can be obtained by a simple operation, and can be notified to a service center or the like when a trouble of the printer driver occurs, so that the burden on the user is not increased. It becomes possible to efficiently deal with troubles related to the printer driver.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a PageSe of the printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows a tup screen.

FIG. 3 is a finish of the printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an ing screen.

FIG. 4 is a printer driver PaperS according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows an ouce screen.

FIG. 5: Qualit of the printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention
It is a figure which shows ay screen.

FIG. 6 is a printer driver Config according to the embodiment of this invention.
It is a figure which shows the uration screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a Page Setup setting information display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a Finishin setting information display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a setting information display screen of PaperSource according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a Quality setting information display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration setting information display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A]

FIG. 12B]

[FIG. 12C] When the setting information copy button is pressed,
It is a figure which shows the example of the content copied to a clipboard.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a client computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 102 Client computer 103 Printer (multifunction peripheral) 104 Computer network 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 Printer driver setting screens 208, 308, 408, 508, 608 Setting information display buttons 701, 801, 901, 1001, 1101 Setting information display screens 707, 807, 907, 1007, 1107 Setting information display areas 708, 808, 908, 1008, 1108 Copy setting information button 1201 Printer name and printer driver name 1202 Page Setup setting information 1203 Finishing setting information 1204 Paper Source setting Information 1205 Quality setting information 1206 Configuration setting information 1207 Printer driver configuration module file name and version information

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 14, 2003 (2003.5.1)
4)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A printer driver which is installed in a computer device connectable to a printer and which controls driving of the printer via a bidirectional interface, the user interface being for a user to set the printer. A setting information storage unit that stores setting information set via the user interface; a related information acquisition unit that acquires related information related to any of the printer driver and the computer device; A printer driver, comprising: an information output unit that outputs the setting information and the related information in a predetermined format when a predetermined operation is performed by a user. 2. The information display means for displaying the setting information on the user interface when a predetermined operation is performed by the user via the user interface. Printer driver. 3. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit outputs the setting information and the related information in a text format. 4. The information output means outputs the setting information and the related information to a storage area managed by an operating system of the computer apparatus. The printer driver described in. 5. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit outputs the setting information and the related information to a predetermined file. 6. The information output means outputs the setting information and the related information to an output destination designated by a user via the user interface. The printer driver according to item 1. 7. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes a file name and a version information in which a module configuring the printer driver is stored. 8. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information about an operating system of the computer device. 9. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information regarding another printer driver installed in the computer device. 10. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information about an application installed in the computer device. 11. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information regarding an update history of the printer driver. 12. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the related information includes information regarding an installation method of the printer driver. 13. A storage medium storing a program code for realizing the printer driver according to claim 1. Description: 14. A method of outputting information in a printer driver, which is installed in a computer device connectable to a printer and controls driving of the printer via a bidirectional interface, wherein a user sets the printer. A setting information storing step of storing setting information set via the user interface, a related information acquiring step of acquiring related information relating to any of the printer driver and the computer device, and via the user interface An information output method in a printer driver, comprising: an information output step of outputting the setting information and the related information in a predetermined format when a predetermined operation is performed by a user. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising an information display step of displaying the setting information on the user interface when a predetermined operation is performed by the user via the user interface. Information output method in the printer driver of Windows. 16. The information output method in a printer driver according to claim 14, wherein in the information output step, the setting information and the related information are output in a text format. 17. The information output step outputs the setting information and the related information to a storage area managed by an operating system of the computer apparatus. Information output method in the printer driver described in. 18. The information output in the printer driver according to claim 14, wherein in the information output step, the setting information and the related information are output to a predetermined file. Method. 19. The information output step outputs the setting information and the related information to an output destination designated by a user via the user interface. An information output method in the printer driver according to the item 1. 20. A printer driver for creating data to be transmitted to a printer, wherein when a specific instruction is given on the screen of the printer driver,
A printer driver having means for copying the setting information set on the setting screen of the printer driver and the peripheral information of the printer driver to a clipboard. 21. A printer driver for creating data to be transmitted to a printer, wherein when a specific instruction is given on the screen of the printer driver,
A printer driver having means for copying information desired by a service provider to a clipboard. 22. An information output method in a printer driver for creating data to be transmitted to a printer, wherein when a specific instruction is given on the screen of the printer driver,
An information output method in a printer driver, comprising a step of copying setting information set on a setting screen of the printer driver and peripheral information of the printer driver to a clipboard. 23. An information output method in a printer driver for creating data to be transmitted to a printer, wherein when a specific instruction is given on the screen of the printer driver,
An information output method in a printer driver, comprising a step of copying information that a service provider wants to know to a clipboard.