JP2006155289A - Apparatus for processing information, control method of printing, printer driver program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use functions peculiar to a plurality of printers without installing a plurality of integrated printer drivers and registering a plurality of logic printers. <P>SOLUTION: The CPU of a client PC 3 requests a server PC 1 to retrieve a printer that can execute functions desired to be temporarily used using integrated printer driver programs installed in the client PC 3. Based on a reply from the server PC 1 in response to the request, the CPU of the client PC 3 acquires second logic printer information linked to a printer that can execute the functions desired to be temporarily used from the server PC 1, and temporarily replaces first logic printer information registered in the client PC 3 with the acquired second logic printer information to perform input control of printing setup, printing job generation and transmission control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing control method, a printer driver program, and a recording in a printing system in which an information processing apparatus as a client terminal, a server apparatus as a printer server, and a printer are connected to each other via a network. It relates to the medium.

  In recent years, printers connected to a network are conditionally searched by a directory service such as Active Directory in Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation, and printing can be performed with a printer that meets user's desired conditions. However, if there are multiple printers (models) with similar functions of a single manufacturer, in order to use each printer, all printer drivers suitable for each printer are installed in the computer to be used. It is essential.

  However, in reality, the computer used by the user often does not have all the printer drivers for the printers connected to the network installed (including the case where no logical printer is registered). In fact, considerable effort is required to install printer drivers for all printers on the network. In particular, a general user often does not have administrator authority. In such a case, a general user cannot install a printer driver, and the administrator needs to do everything. For this reason, the administrator needs a lot of work to install the printer driver.

  In addition, there are many requests that the client terminal configuration is not desired to be changed for management reasons. In particular, there may be a case where only a temporary connection is made to a network, such as when working at another location on a business trip or the like. In such a case, it is desirable to avoid installing a printer driver of a printer connected to the network (including registering a logical printer) in the client terminal for only a temporary connection.

  Therefore, in order to cope with such a state, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer control system that performs printing limited to only functions that can be commonly applied to any printer.

In the printer control system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to use a plurality of printers from a computer without installing a plurality of printer drivers in each computer used by the user.
JP 2002-91732 A

  However, since the printer control system described in Patent Document 1 controls printing based only on basic settings, even if the printer has a function that cannot be used only with basic settings such as stapling or double-sided printing, There was a problem that the function could not be used (set).

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to execute a function to be temporarily used by using an integrated printer driver program installed in an information processing apparatus. A second logical printer linked to a printer capable of executing a function desired to be temporarily used from the server device based on a response from the server device to the server device in response to a request for searching for a printer Information is acquired, and the first logical printer information registered in the information processing apparatus is temporarily replaced with the acquired second logical printer information, and print setting input control, print job generation and transmission control are performed. By doing this, you can install multiple printer drivers without installing multiple printer drivers and without registering multiple logical printers. Utilizing the function of the organic is to provide an information processing apparatus and a printing control method, and printer driver program and a recording medium as possible.

  The present invention stores and holds a common printer driver program for controlling basic functions of a plurality of printers having similar functions and logical printer information for each printer including function information and print setting information of each printer. The printer driver is installed so that the print job can be transmitted to the server device that controls the printing process to each printer according to the printer job inputted in the process, and is linked to any one of the logical printer information. In the information processing apparatus in which the attached first logical printer information is registered, the printer driver program installed in the information processing apparatus is used to select a printer to be temporarily used, and the server apparatus selects the selected printer. The second logical printer information associated with the printer you want to use temporarily. And control means for temporarily replacing the first logical printer information with the acquired second logical printer information to perform print setting input control, print job generation and transmission control. To do.

  According to the present invention, the printer driver program installed in the information processing apparatus is used to select a printer that is temporarily used, and the second printer associated with the selected printer that is temporarily used from the server apparatus. The first logical printer information registered in the information processing apparatus is temporarily replaced with the obtained second logical printer information, print setting input control, and print job generation And transmission control, it can be used from the information processing device including the unique functions of multiple printers without installing multiple printer drivers in the information processing device as a client and without registering multiple logical printers. It becomes.

  Therefore, the trouble of adding a plurality of printer drivers can be saved, and the trouble of the administrator can be reduced. Further, by temporarily acquiring information related to printer-specific settings from a logical printer registered in the server device, it is possible to use the unique settings of other printers. Therefore, it is possible to use a plurality of printers having similar functions without changing the configuration of the information processing apparatus, and the user or administrator desires not to change the configuration of the client PC for administrative reasons. There are effects such as being able to satisfy

  Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network printing system to which an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that a directory service provided by an OS (Operating System) is used. In this embodiment, as an example of this directory service, the use of an Active Directory service provided by Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation is assumed. Will be described.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a network such as a LAN. Client PCs 3, 4, and PC 5 existing on the network 10 are terminals used by general users for document creation and printing. A print command for executing printing is also issued by the client PCs 3 to 5.

  A server PC 1 centrally manages configuration information in the network 10. This server PC1 is usually operated only by a network administrator. Note that the configuration information managed by the server PC 1 indicates information for identifying the client PCs 3 to 5, information on users as users, information on shared resources disclosed on the network 10, and the like. Note that information about a shared printer exists as one type of information of the shared resource. Such configuration information is stored in the database 2 connected to the server PC.

  The server PC 1 can add / delete / edit records to / from the data on the database 2. The server PC 1 can also perform a search in the database 2 in response to requests from the client PCs 3 to 5.

  Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote printers. The printers 6 and 7 are connected to the network 10 but are not configured to receive a print command directly from the client PCs 3 to 5. The server PC 1 serves as a print server, and once it receives a print command from the client PCs 3 to 5, it sends it to the printers 6 and 7.

<Hardware configuration of server PC 1 and client PCs 3-5>
Next, the hardware configuration of the server PC 1 and the client PCs 3 to 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server PC 1 and the client PCs 3 to 5 shown in FIG. Note that there is no difference in hardware configuration between the server PC 1 and the client PCs 3 to 5.

  In FIG. 2, 11 is a CPU, which performs arithmetic processing. Note that the data used for the calculation of the CPU 11 and the result thereof are stored in the RAM 12. Further, since the data held in the RAM 12 is volatilized, the CPU 11 controls the data such as the final calculation result to be stored in the HDD 13.

  The HDD 13 stores system files constituting the OS and driver files for operating peripheral devices. The CPU 11 loads these files into the RAM 12 for processing.

  The inside of the computer is connected by a bus 16, and the CPU 11 controls the bus 16 to perform communication between each component. A CD-ROM drive 14 for reading the storage medium 15 is connected to the bus 16, and files and programs stored in the storage medium can be loaded into the RAM 12 and the HDD 13.

  In addition, a mouse 21 is connected through the input I / F 17 and a keyboard 22 is connected through the input I / F 18 as an input device. A display 23 is connected as an output device through the output I / F 19. Further, the computer is connected to the network 10 through the communication I / F 20, and the print command generated on the client PCs 3 to 5 is received through the network 10 at the communication I / F on the server PC 1 side.

<About integrated printer driver>
The point of the present invention is to use an integrated printer driver. The definition of the integrated printer will be described below.

  Conventionally, one printer driver is usually used for each printer model (product). Even if there are a plurality of printer models having similar functions, there are some functional differences, so a printer driver is prepared for each printer model.

  On the other hand, the integrated printer driver is a single printer driver provided to a plurality of printer groups (predetermined categories) having similar functions, and the basic functions correspond to all printer models. The basic functions here include both functions that cannot be made possible by the model, such as color printing, double-sided printing, and stapling, and functions that can be made by all models.

  Other than the basic functions described above, functions specific to each printer model (for example, a function for punching holes, a function for folding paper, etc.) can be realized by using an expansion module. The extension module will be described later.

<About network printing>
Next, the flow of print processing in a network composed of servers / clients will be described using the data flow of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a data flow for explaining the flow of printing processing in a network composed of servers / clients as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the client PC 3 will be described as a representative, but the same applies to the client PCs 4 and 5. When a general user operates the client PC 3 to create and print a document, the client PCs 3 to 5 include at least one A logical printer 31 is required. If the logical printer does not exist, a logical printer is created on the client PC 3 by connecting to a logical printer that is disclosed and shared on the server PC 1.

  When there are a plurality of logical printers on the server PC 1, the user selects a printer according to the capability of each printer. At this time, the user can search for the printer on the condition of the printer capability. The printer search will be described later.

  First, connection to a logical printer on the server PC 1 will be described. If the printer driver 33 does not exist on the client PC 3 side when the client PC 3 connects to the logical printer 32 of the server PC 1, the printer driver 35 is first downloaded from the server PC 1 and stored. Next, the client PC 3 acquires the printer information and the print setting 36 from the server PC 1 and stores them in the client PC 3.

  In the client PC 3, the user changes the print settings so as to meet the purpose of printing, and the printer driver 33 generates a print job 37 from a document to be printed under the settings. The client PC 3 transmits the print job 37 to the server PC 1. The server PC 1 transmits the print job 38 to the actual printer 6 or 7.

<About printer search>
Before the client PC 3 connects to the logical printer of the server PC 1, the user can specify and search for the printer function that the user wants to use. Before describing the characteristic configuration of the present invention, this printer search and connection to a logical printer will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printer search from the client PC 3 and a connection procedure to the logical printer. S1 to S12 indicate steps, and the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading and processing a program stored in the HDD into the RAM.

  When the logical printer does not exist on the client PC 3 to be used, or when the function of the existing printer does not meet the user's request, the user searches for a printer that meets the request.

  First, in step S1, the CPU of the client PC 3 that has received a printer search request from the user displays a search setting screen on the display and accepts input of search conditions from the user. This search setting screen (printer search dialog) is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a search setting screen displayed on the display of the client PC 3.

  On the search setting screen of FIG. 5, the user inputs items 401 required by the user among double-sided printing, stapling, color printing, and printing speed, and presses a “start search” button 402.

  Then, the CPU of the client PC 3 obtains the search conditions input on the search setting screen of FIG. 5, and in step S2, sends search condition information from the client PC 3 to the server PC 1 to request a printer search, and from the server PC 1 Wait for a reply to search results for.

  The server PC 1 collates the search condition with the database 2 using the Active Directory service configured in the server PC 1 and obtains a result. The result here is a list of printers that match the search conditions. Then, the server PC1 returns the search result to the client PC3. Here, since the Active Directory service is assumed as an example, the client PC 3 requests the server PC 1 and the server PC 1 searches with reference to the database 2, but the client PC 3 can directly search for the printer. With such a configuration (for example, a configuration for searching for a printer capable of communication by receiving a reply from a printer by broadcasting or the like), a printer that is not registered in the database can be searched and used.

  Then, the CPU of the client PC 3 receives the search result from the server PC 1, determines whether there is a printer that matches the functional condition specified by the user in step S 3, and finds a printer that matches the functional condition specified by the user. If it is determined that there is no printer, in step S5, the CPU of the client PC 3 notifies the user from the client PC 3 that there is no printer having a function that matches the search condition (for example, a message is displayed on the display). ).

  In step S <b> 7, the CPU of the client PC 3 accepts an input as to whether or not the user searches again by changing the search condition. Then, when receiving the input from the user, the CPU of the client PC 3 determines whether or not the input is to request a re-search, and if it is determined that the input is to the re-search, The process returns to step S1, and the search condition is input again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the CPU of the client PC 3 has not input from the user that the search is desired (the input is that the search is not desired), the process is terminated. Let

  On the other hand, if the CPU of the client PC 3 determines in step S3 that there is a printer that matches the functional conditions specified by the user, in step S4, the CPU of the client PC 3 displays the search setting screen shown in FIG. The list 403 provided at the bottom of the list lists the results (feedback the search results to the user), and accepts the selection of the printer from the user in step S6.

  Then, the user selects one printer to be connected from the printers listed in the list 403. When a printer is selected, a “Connect” button 404 can be pressed as shown in FIG. When the user presses the connection button 404, the actual connection process starts and this dialog is terminated.

  When the CPU of the client PC 3 receives the printer selection result from the user in step S6, the CPU of the client PC 3 closes the search setting screen. In step S8, the CPU of the client PC 3 has the integrated printer driver installed in the client PC 3. Whether or not it is configured is checked based on whether or not the integrated printer driver file is stored in the HDD of the client PC 3. If the integrated printer driver file is stored in the HDD of the client PC 3, the printer model supported by the integrated printer driver has been used before, and the integrated printer driver is configured. No configuration is necessary.

  If the CPU of the client PC 3 determines in step S8 that the integrated printer driver is configured in the client PC 3, the process proceeds to step S11 as it is.

  On the other hand, if the CPU of the client PC 3 determines in step S8 that the integrated printer driver is not configured in the client PC 3, in step S10, the CPU of the client PC 3 sends an integrated printer driver file (for example, from the server PC 1). The printer driver 35) shown in FIG. 3 is downloaded and stored in the HDD of the client PC 3 (printer driver 31 shown in FIG. 3).

  Next, in step S11, the CPU of the client PC 3 downloads information about the printer from the server PC 1 (for example, the printer information 36 shown in FIG. 3). Details of the information to be downloaded are shown in FIG. The CPU of the client PC 3 acquires printer information as reference information. The printer information includes connection destination information necessary for connection (information on the shared name in the logical printer on the server PC 1 side is the connection destination on the client side), as shown in the logical printer “printer A” 810 in FIG. Printer model name, capability information, and the like. The CPU of the client PC 3 downloads the printer information from the server PC 1 and stores it in the HDD. The printer information cannot be edited on the client PC 3 side (information can be temporarily replaced, which will be described later). In step S11, the print setting information is also acquired from the server PC 1 and stored in the HDD. This information is an initial value when the user performs print settings on the print setting screen on the client side. For example, in step S11, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer information 810a and print setting information 810b of the logical printer “printer A” 810 are downloaded from the server PC 1 to the client PC 3, and the HDD of the client PC 3 (the registry 1201 shown in FIG. 7). ) As printer information 801a and print setting information 801b.

  Next, in step S12, the CPU of the client PC 3 creates a logical printer from the obtained printer information and printer driver. Accordingly, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the logical printer “printer A ′” 801 (logical printer 31 in the example shown in FIG. 3) is created in the client PC 3.

<Temporary printer switching and function expansion during printing>
In general, a logical printer should be added in advance before printing. This state will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6 and 7 are schematic views showing an example of a memory storage state of printer-related information in the information processing apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the same symbols are attached to the same components.

  The state in which the logical printer is added to the client PC 3 corresponds to the state in which the logical printer “printer A ′” 801 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is registered in the registry 1202 of the client PC 3. At this point, the memory area 1202 used by the printer driver is not secured and nothing is stored. That is, only the logical printer “printer A ′” 801 exists in the registry 1201 on the client PC 3 shown in FIGS.

  Then, it is possible to select a logical printer to be printed from a print screen (printer selection field 1901 shown in FIG. 9 described later) of the application that created the document to be printed, and execute printing by changing print settings as necessary. . When a property button 1902 shown in FIG. 9 to be described later is instructed or when a print button 1903 is instructed, the CPU of the client PC 3 secures a memory area 1202 used by the printer driver in the RAM, In the memory area 1202, the print setting information 801b of the logical printer “printer A ′” 801 is copied and stored as print setting information (printer A ′) 802.

  In the present invention, when even one logical printer corresponding to the integrated printer driver is configured, and the user wants to use a function that cannot be supported by the logical printer, printing provided by the printer driver is provided. From the setting screen (shown in FIG. 10 described later), a logical printer that matches the user's request is retrieved from the server PC 1 using the ActiveDirectory service, and the connection destination of the logical printer is temporarily changed to another logical printer. Is possible. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the connection destination of the logical printer “printer A ′” 801 of the client PC 3 is temporarily transferred from the logical printer “printer A” 810 of the server PC 1 to the logical printer “printer B” 811 of the server PC 1. It is possible to change.

  Hereinafter, temporary printer switching, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to a temporary printer switching process. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading and processing a program stored in the HDD into the RAM. In the figure, S101 to S110 correspond to each operation step of the user, and S151 to S160 correspond to each step of the client PC 3.

  First, the user creates a document to be printed by the application, and opens the application print screen. The print screen of this application is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print screen of an application displayed on the display of the client PC 3 illustrated in FIG.

  In step S101, the user selects a logical printer corresponding to the integrated printer driver in the printer selection field 1901 of the print screen, instructs the property button 1902, and requests the start of print settings.

  When the CPU (application) of the client PC 3 receives an instruction of the property button 1902 (print setting start request), it activates the corresponding printer driver and responds to the corresponding logic in the registry 1201 (FIG. 6). A copy of the print setting information 801b of the printer “printer A ′” 801 is input to the corresponding printer driver.

  The activated printer driver of the client PC 3 stores the print setting information input from the application in a part 1203 of the memory area 1202 (FIG. 7) used by the printer driver in the RAM managed by the printer driver. It is held as print setting information (printer A ′) 802 (FIG. 6).

  Next, in step S151, the printer driver of the client PC 3 displays the print setting screen (FIG. 10) on the display of the client PC 3.

<About print settings>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be given of print settings performed at the time of printing on the client PC 3 side.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display of the client PC 3 shown in FIG.

  The print setting is a general term for information on paper, information such as an output format and print quality. For example, for paper, the paper size and paper orientation can be set, and for the other settings, duplex printing, color, and stapling can be set. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the color and staple settings are invalidated, which means that the corresponding printer does not have the ability to perform color and staple, and cannot be set.

  The setting value displayed when this print setting screen is opened is initialized with the print setting information of the logical printer held in the registry 1201 as described above, but the user needs to do so on this print setting screen. It is possible to print after changing the setting according to the condition. When this print screen is opened for the first time after the logical printer is configured in the client PC 3, the setting value is initialized with the setting value configured on the server PC 1. The user can change the settings on the print settings as necessary and store them in the registry 1201 as default print settings.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the user determines that the function requested by the user is available in step S102, the user can perform the print setting in step S106. Whether or not the printer function can be used is visually expressed on the print setting screen as described above. In the example of FIG. 10, the “double-sided printing” function can be used as indicated by reference numeral 503, but “color” and “stapling” cannot be used, so the operation unit is invalidated. As a result, the user can visually determine whether the desired function can be used.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the function requested by the user is not available, the user instructs the printer search tab 502 to use the integrated printer that can use the function that matches the user's request. The printer driver of the client PC 3 can be requested to display a search screen for searching for another logical printer on the server PC 1 that supports the driver.

  When the printer driver of the client PC 3 receives an instruction (search screen display request) to the printer search tab 502, the printer search screen (FIG. 11) is displayed on the display of the client PC 3 in step S152. This printer search screen is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printer search screen displayed on the display of the client PC 3 shown in FIG. 1, and is for inputting a function requirement (search condition) requested by the user.

  The print setting screen shown in FIG. 10 and the printer search screen shown in FIG. 11 exist on the same property sheet, and the screen to be set can be switched on the upper tabs (print setting tab 501 and printer search tab 502). The same components as those in FIG.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S103, when the user inputs printer search conditions and designates the search start button 602 in the printer search screen 601 shown in FIG. 11, the printer driver of the client PC 3 responds to the search request. The printer search condition input by the user is received, and printer search processing is performed in step S153. When the printer driver of the client PC 3 starts the search process, the printer driver makes a search request to the server PC 1 in which the Active Directory service is operating. Since the Active Directory service stores information related to the shared printer in the internal database 2, the Active Directory service performs a search process corresponding to the database, and passes the search result to the printer driver of the client PC that requested the search.

  In step S154, the printer driver of the client PC 3 displays the search result obtained from the Active Directory service in the printer search process in step S153 on the display. At this time, if a printer that matches the search condition is not found, the printer driver of the client PC displays that fact on the display and prompts the user to determine whether or not to perform a search again. On the other hand, if it is determined that a printer that matches the search condition has been found, the matched printer is displayed in the search result list 603 of the printer search screen shown in FIG.

  In step S104, the user determines that a printer having the function requested by the user has not been found. If the user does not wish to search again, in step S106, the user instructs the print setting tab 501 to set print settings. Execute. Although not shown in the flowchart, if the user wishes to perform a re-search, the user can return to step S103 and input the search conditions again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that a printer to be used by the user has been found, in step S105, the printer is selected from the search result list 603 on the printer search screen shown in FIG. By instructing 604, the printer driver can be requested to temporarily change the printer to be connected.

  Upon receiving this connection destination change request, the printer driver of the client PC 3 proceeds to the connection destination switching processing in step S155. This printer switching process will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<About printer switching processing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the printer switching processing in step S155 of FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading a program stored in the HDD into the RAM for processing. In the figure, S201 to S205 correspond to the steps of the client PC 3.

  As described above, at the stage when the printer driver print setting screen process is started in step S151 in FIG. 8, the application uses the printer driver to copy the print setting information 801b of the logical printer “printer A ′” 801. It has been thrown. The printer driver of the client PC 3 holds the print setting information input by the application in the memory area 1203 (FIG. 7) as print setting information (printer A ′) 802 (FIGS. 6 and 7). When there is no printer switching processing described here, the information set by the user on the print setting screen (FIG. 10) is reflected in this area, and the user has selected to save after completing the setting. In this case, the print setting information in this area is returned to the application and input when printing is executed. The printer switching process will be described below.

  First, in step S201, the printer driver of the client PC 3 allocates an area for storing the information from the RAM of the client PC 3 in order to temporarily store connection destination printer information and print setting information. This is the area indicated by 1204 and 1205 in FIG.

  Next, in step S202, the printer driver of the client PC 3 acquires printer information 811a of the server PC 1 side printer that is temporarily connected, and saves it as printer information (printer B) 803 in the memory area 1204 secured in step S201. To do. The information 803 stored in this area 1204 is only referred to on the client PC 3 side, and is not edited.

  Next, in step S203, the printer driver of the client PC 3 copies the print setting information (printer A ′) 802, which is the current print setting information, and print setting information (printer B) in the area 1205 secured in step S201. Save as 804 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Information stored in this area will be edited later.

  In step S204, the printer driver of the client PC 3 acquires the print setting information 811b (FIG. 6) from the printer on the server PC 1, stores it in the work area in the RAM, and stores the print setting information 804 stored in step S203. And merge process. In this merge process, the printer driver of the client PC 3 sets the print settings made on the client PC 3 side as long as the capability information included in the printer information (printer B) 803 newly acquired in step S202 allows (the capability information is If it is not permitted (for functions whose capability information is “impossible”), the print setting item 811b acquired from the printer on the server PC1 side is stored. The print setting information 804 is edited so as to be overwritten with the information, and the print setting information (printer B) 802 is overwritten with the edited print setting information 804.

  The configuration of the print setting information is almost the same as long as it is a printer model that supports the integrated printer driver, but there is an area that is managed individually by the extension module for models that use the extension module. This area is managed by the extension module separately from the print setting information, and all the assignment, setting, release, and reference of the area are executed by this extension module. An area 1206 in FIG. 7 corresponds to this area. The handling of the extension setting information (805 in FIGS. 6 and 7) will be described in the details of the extension module described later.

  In addition, the printer driver of the client PC 3 displays the head memory address “AD0016” of the area 1204 in which the printer information (printer B) 803 acquired in step S202 is stored in the print setting information merging process in step S204. 6 is stored in “reference information” of the print setting information (printer A ′) 802. The “reference information” 802a is not used except for a temporary connection to the printer on the server PC 1 side, and is initialized with null data before this processing.

  Next, in step S205, the printer driver of the client PC 3 also uses the printer information (printer A ′) 801a that has been referred to so far for the printer information used for displaying the print setting screen shown in FIG. , The reference destination is switched to the information of the printer information (printer B) 803 acquired and stored in step S202 (located in “AD0016” on the memory), and the print setting screen is changed by the printer information (printer B) 803 To do. As a result, whether or not user setting is possible on the print setting screen shown in FIG. 10 changes.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the user cannot set the “color” and “stapling” settings because the printer capability is insufficient, but the reference destination of the printer information here is printer information (printer B). Since it is 803, both color and staples can be used, and both lists can be operated. However, double-sided printing cannot be used (see FIG. 14 described later).

  That is, the printer driver of the client PC 3 validates or invalidates each item of the detailed setting 503 related to printing according to the capability information included in the printer information (printer B) 803 acquired and stored in step S202. Further, for the validated item, the print setting information (printer B) 802 merged in step S204 is reflected. As a result, when the user designates the print setting tab 501 and switches to the “print setting” sheet again to perform print setting, the print setting information merged in step S204 becomes the operation target.

  Then, when the process of step S205 is completed, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the connection destination switching process in step S155 is completed and the user instructs the print setting tab 501 to request display of the print setting screen, the printer driver of the client PC 3 responds to the request in step S156. By displaying a print setting screen (updated in step S205 in FIG. 12) in which the function requested by the user is enabled, the user is notified that the function requested by the user can be used. As a result, the user can perform print settings for the printer temporarily switched from the print setting screen in step S106.

  When the printer driver of the client PC 3 returns to the print setting screen after completing the printer switching process in step S155, the printer driver of the client PC 3 proceeds to the extended function setting process in step S157.

<Extended function setting process>
As described above, when the printer switched in step S155 in FIG. 8 has a function specialized for the printer, if the expansion module is configured on the server PC 1 side, the expansion function can be used.

  Here, the actual role of the extension module will be specifically described. This function is intended to expand the functions of a printer, but is a special function that can be introduced only in a limited printer model, and is a function that does not become a search target of the above directory service.

  The entity of the extension module is a library of functions, and in the case of Windows (registered trademark) of this embodiment, DLL (dynamic link library) corresponds to this. Since this extension module exchanges information only with the printer driver main body, the extension module must define a predetermined interface function. The printer driver checks whether there is a library that defines the interface function group at the time of display of the print setting screen, initialization, print execution, etc., and whether there is an extension module and the extension function provided by the extension module Judging.

  As an example, it is assumed that there is one expansion module that has both a function of punching holes, which is a paper discharge function, and a function of folding paper to an arbitrary setting when paper is discharged.

  This extension module can support a plurality of functions in one module. The functions necessary for the extension module are divided into “providing a user interface for setting the extension function” and “issuing a printer command or the like corresponding to the extension function”. The former cooperates with a user interface module (providing a setting screen such as a print setting screen) of the printer driver main body, and the latter cooperates with a graphics module (actually issuing a printer command and drawing processing).

  The user interface module and the graphics module exchange information between them using the print setting information, but define and manage the print setting information for the expansion module (the extended function information 805 in FIGS. 6 and 7). That is also done by the extension module.

  Hereinafter, the extended function setting process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the third control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the extended function setting processing in step S157 of FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading and processing a program stored in the HDD into the RAM. In the figure, S401 to S405 correspond to steps by the printer driver of the client PC 3, and S501 to S504 correspond to steps by the extension module of the client PC 3.

  First, in step S401, the printer driver of the client PC 3 refers to the printer information. If the printer information referred to here stores data indicating the printer information referred to in the reference information 802a of the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 (that is, the printer is switched), The printer driver of the client PC 3 refers to the printer information indicated by the data. If the data indicating the printer information to be referred to is not stored in the reference information, the printer information (printer A ′) 801a in the registry 1201 is stored in the client PC 3. Refer to the printer driver. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since “AD0016” is stored in the reference information 802a, the printer driver of the client PC 3 refers to the printer information (printer B) 803. Then, the printer driver of the client PC 3 refers to the setting item 803a “extended module” of the printer information.

  In step S402, the printer driver of the client PC 3 determines whether information indicating an extension module is registered in the “extension module” setting item of the printer information, and indicates the extension module in the “extension module” setting item. If it is determined that the information is not registered, the process directly returns to the process of the flowchart of FIG. In this case, in step S107 in FIG. 8, it is determined that the extension module cannot be used by the user.

  On the other hand, if the printer driver of the client PC 3 determines in step S402 that information indicating an expansion module is registered in the “expansion module” setting item of the printer information (information indicating an expansion module in 803a in FIG. 6). In step S403, the printer driver of the client PC 3 notifies the user that the extended function is available through the print setting screen.

  Specifically, the printer driver of the client PC 3 notifies that the extended function is available by enabling the extended function button 1301 on the print setting screen. FIG. 14 shows a print setting screen in which this extended function can be used.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen on which the extended function can be used.

  When the user presses the extended function button 1301 in order to use the extended function, an extended module is required. Therefore, in step S404, the printer driver of the client PC 3 receives the corresponding extended module (described above) from the server PC 1. Downloaded DLL) and is stored on the client PC 3 in a location (HDD) where the printer driver is stored.

  Then, in step S107 of FIG. 8, it is determined that the user can use the extension module. In step S108, the user designates the extension function button 1301 and requests to use the extension function. In step S405, the printer driver of the client PC 3 issues an extension setting screen display request to the extension module downloaded in step S404 (this activates the extension module on the client PC 3). The extension module displays the extension setting screen.

  If it is determined in step S108 in FIG. 8 that the user does not use the extended function and the extended setting screen display request is not made, the process returns to the flowchart in FIG.

  In addition, when the printer driver of the client PC 3 requests the extension module to display the extension setting screen in step S405, the printer driver of the client PC 3 stores the print setting information currently being edited to the extension module. Pass the address. Here, the head address “AD0000” of the area 802 in FIG. 7 corresponds to this.

  Upon receiving an extension setting screen display request from the printer driver of the client PC 3, the extension module of the client PC 3 secures and initializes an extension setting memory area in step S501. This memory area corresponds to the area 1206 in FIG. Note that this area 1206 is an area that can be operated / referenced only by the extension module and cannot be operated / referenced from the printer driver.

  Then, when the extension module of the client PC 3 finishes initializing the memory area 1206 for saving extension settings, in step S502, the extension module actually displays a dialog box (extended setting screen) to prompt the user to set. This extended setting screen is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extension setting screen displayed on the display of the client PC 3 shown in FIG.

  Then, when the user operates the setting item 1401 on the extension setting screen in step S109 in FIG. 8 and presses the “OK” button 1402 to end this screen and requests completion of the extension function setting, this request is made. In response to this, the extension module of the client PC 3 receives the setting contents of the user in step S503 in FIG. 13 and stores them as extension setting information 805 in the memory area 1206 in FIG.

  Then, since it is necessary to refer to the setting contents (extended setting information 805) stored in the memory area 1206 again at the time of printing, the extension module of the client PC 3 determines the address of the memory area 1206 for extended setting information in step S504. “AD0048” is stored in the item “extended settings” of the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 delivered from the printer driver (see 802 b in FIG. 8) (print setting information changing process).

  When the change of the print setting information is completed, the extension module setting process of the client PC 3 is finished, and the control is returned to the printer driver of the client PC 3. And it returns to the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When an OK button 1302 on the print setting screen is instructed by the user and all print settings are completed (when print setting completion is requested), the printer driver of the client PC 3 prints in step S158 in response to this request. The print setting information set on the setting screen is received, overwritten and saved in the print setting information (printer A ′) 802, and the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 including the address to the memory area 1206 for extended setting information is stored. Return information to the calling application.

  In step S110, when the user instructs the OK button 1903 on the print screen of the application shown in FIG. 9 to request print execution, the printer driver of the client PC 3 responds to the print execution request in step S159. The process proceeds to print processing.

<About print processing>
Hereinafter, the printing process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the printing processing in step S159 of FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading and processing a program stored in the HDD into the RAM. In the figure, S301 to S304 correspond to the steps by the printer driver of the client PC 3.

  When the user finishes print settings and the user starts print execution, first, the printer driver of the client PC 3 has information of print setting information (printer A ′) 802 which is print setting information set up to the previous step. Passed from the application.

  Here, the printer driver of the client PC 3 can also refer to the printer information, but normally, the printer driver refers to the normal printer information (printer A ′) 801, and as it is, as in the present embodiment. In addition, the printer information assigned when the printer is temporarily switched cannot be referred to.

  In step S301, the printer driver of the client PC 3 confirms the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 transferred from the application. The “reference information” item 802a included in the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 contains an address value that is valid only in the case where memory is temporarily allocated for reference to the printer on the server PC 1 side. Otherwise, it contains null data.

  In step S302, the printer driver of the client PC 3 checks whether or not this reference information 802a contains a valid address value. If it is determined that the valid address value is contained, in step S303, the client driver The printer driver of the PC 3 switches the reference destination of the printer information from the normal printer information (printer A ′) 801 to the printer information (that is, printer information (printer B) 803) shown in the reference information 802a temporarily assigned.

  In step S304, the printer driver of the client PC 3 performs print processing such as command issuance / drawing to the printer from the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 and the printer information (printer B) 803. In this case, the connection information is mainly referred to by the printer information, and the printer driver of the client PC 3 transmits the print job to the temporarily changed connection destination.

  In the course of performing the actual output process in step S304, the printer driver of the client PC 3 passes control to the extension module if the extension setting is made at the end of the output process of the printer driver itself, and the extension module Performs an extended function use process that performs an output process using the extended function.

<Print processing using extended functions>
Details of output processing (extended function use processing) by the extension module will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the extended function use processing in step S304 of FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU of the client PC 3 loading and processing a program stored in the HDD into the RAM. In the figure, S601 to S605 correspond to each step by the printer driver of the client PC 3, and S701 to S705 correspond to each step by the extension module of the client PC 3.

  At the end of the output process performed in step S304 in FIG. 16, the printer driver of the client PC 3 prints print setting information (printer A ′) 802 passed from the application at the start of the print process in step S601. Refer to The “extended setting” item 802b included in the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 contains an address value that is valid only in the case where the extended setting has been made (this is because the extended module performs step S504 in FIG. 13). Otherwise, it contains null data.

  In step S602, the printer driver of the client PC 3 checks whether or not the extension setting information is registered based on whether or not the extension information contains a valid address value, and does not contain a valid address value (that is, If the extended setting information is not registered, the process proceeds to step S605.

  On the other hand, when the printer driver of the client PC 3 determines in step S602 that a valid address value is included in the extended information 802b (that is, the extended setting information is registered), the extended function is used. In step S603, the printer driver of the client PC 3 passes the memory area 1203 in which the print setting information (printer A ′) 802 is stored to the extension module, and requests processing by the extension function.

  Then, the extension module of the client PC 3 that has received the processing request from the printer driver of the client PC 3 refers to the print setting information passed from the printer driver of the client PC 3 in step S701. In the “extended setting” item 802b of the print setting information, the memory address (AD0048) to the extended setting information stored by the extension module itself in step S503 in FIG. 13 is recorded.

  Next, the extension module of the client PC 3 refers to the extension setting information 805 indicated by this memory address.

  In step S703, the extension module of the client PC 3 performs output processing such as command issuance based on the extension setting information 803 referred to in step S702. When the output process ends, the extension module of the client PC 3 returns control to the printer driver of the client PC 3.

  The printer driver of the client PC 3 shifts to the end process when the control from the expansion module of the client PC 3 returns and finally the print process is finished. First, in step S604, a print end notification is sent to the extension module of the client PC 3.

  Upon receiving the print end notification from the printer driver of the client PC 3, the extension module of the client PC 3 deletes the extension setting information 805 in the memory area 1206 managed by itself and releases the memory area 1206 in step S704.

  The extension module of the client PC 3 also deletes the address information 802b to the extension setting information from the print setting information (printer A ′) 802. When the processing so far is finished, the extension module of the client PC 3 finishes the end processing and returns control to the printer driver main body of the client PC 3.

  Then, in step S605, the printer driver of the client PC 3 deletes the unnecessary extension module (the above DLL) of the client PC 3 from the HDD of the client PC 3. At this time, all the files constituting the extension module and the information related to the extension module are deleted from the client PC 3, and the client PC 3 is connected to the pre-printing process together with the subsequent connection destination change process (step S160 in FIG. 8). It can be returned to the state.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the logical processing is released from the application after the printing process is completed, the printer driver of the client PC 3 deletes the information 802 to 805 secured in the memory by the printer driver of the client PC 3 in step S160, and the memory By releasing all the area 1202, information regarding temporary printer connection is deleted, the printer connection destination is restored (returned to the same client environment as before the printer switching), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, the CPU of the client PC 3 executes the integrated printer driver installed in the client PC 3, controls the input of print settings using the logical printer information registered in the registry, and print setting input information. The print setting input process to be stored in the RAM, the logical printer information, the print execution process for generating a print job using the print setting input information, and transmitting the print job to the server PC1, and the first logical printer information. Second logical printer information different from the logical printer information being obtained is acquired from the server PC 1, and the first logical printer information used in the print setting input process and the print execution process is used until the end of the print execution process. By performing printer switching processing to replace with the second logical printer information, the client Without plurality install printer drivers on preparative PC, and without register multiple logical printers can utilizes, including specific functions of a plurality of printers.

  Therefore, the trouble of adding a plurality of printer drivers can be saved, and the trouble of the administrator can be reduced. This is particularly effective when the user of the client PC does not have administrator authority. Further, by temporarily acquiring information related to printer-specific settings from a logical printer registered in the server device, it is possible to use the unique settings of other printers. Therefore, it is possible to use a plurality of printers having similar functions without changing the configuration of the information processing apparatus, and the user or administrator desires not to change the configuration of the client PC for administrative reasons. Can be satisfied.

  The following configuration may be added.

  When a printer administrator adds a logical printer and makes it public (shared), information indicating the location of the printer is input. For example, it is input in a format such as “building name: floor: place”. This information is stored in the Active Directory database 2.

  When the client searches for a printer (including the normal search shown in FIG. 4 and the search for the temporarily switched printer shown in step S153 of FIG. 8), “the search condition is met. Let the user set the presence or absence of the option “automatically connect to the printer closest to the default printer” and move to search processing.

  After the search is completed, the printer driver extracts a printer near the printer to be used normally from the information indicating the location of each printer obtained from the search result, notifies the user, and automatically sends the printer to the printer. In other words, it may be configured to connect and perform printing (without a user's selection operation).

  Even if the configuration is not selected by the printer driver, the printer driver notifies the user of the search result together with information indicating the location of each printer, provides the user's selection judgment material, and facilitates the selection. You may comprise.

  The present invention includes all configurations obtained by combining all or any one of the modifications shown in the embodiment.

  Furthermore, it is needless to say that the configuration and contents of various data shown in the above embodiment are not limited to this, and are configured with various configurations and contents according to applications and purposes.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer driver is replaced with a device driver of another peripheral device (for example, a scanner) so that the other peripheral device (for example, the scanner) can be used with a unique function by using one device driver. It can also be applied to.

  That is, a common device driver for controlling basic functions of a plurality of peripheral devices having similar functions and peripheral device registration information for each printer including function information and print setting information of each peripheral device are stored and held. The device driver is installed so that the job can be transmitted to the server device that controls the operation of each peripheral device according to the input job, and is associated with one of the peripheral device registration information. In the information processing device in which the first peripheral device registration information is registered, the device driver program installed in the information processing device is used to select a peripheral device to be temporarily used and the server device selects the selected peripheral device. The second peripheral device registration information associated with the peripheral device to be temporarily used is acquired and registered in the information processing device. The first peripheral device registration information is temporarily replaced with the acquired second peripheral device registration information, and peripheral device operation setting input control, print job generation and transmission control for using the peripheral device are performed. It is possible to configure an information processing apparatus characterized by having a control means for performing.

  As a result, even if the device drivers of a plurality of peripheral devices having similar functions are not installed in the information processing device as a client (even if only the device driver of one peripheral device is installed), the information processing device It can be used including the unique functions of a plurality of peripheral devices having similar functions.

  Therefore, the trouble of adding device drivers for a plurality of peripheral devices having similar functions can be saved, and the trouble of the administrator can be reduced. Further, by temporarily acquiring information related to settings unique to the peripheral device from the peripheral device registration information registered in the server device, it is possible to use the unique settings of other peripheral devices.

  Accordingly, a plurality of peripheral devices having similar functions can be used without changing the configuration of the information processing apparatus, and a user or administrator who does not want to change the configuration of the client PC for management reasons or the like. There are effects such as being able to satisfy the request.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network printing system to which an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the server PC and client PC which were shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a data flow for explaining a flow of print processing in a network composed of a server / client as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printer search from a client PC and a connection procedure to a logical printer. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the search setting screen displayed on the display of client PC. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the memory storage state of the printer relevant information in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the memory storage state of the printer relevant information in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printing screen of the application displayed on the display of client PC shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the print setting screen displayed on the display of client PC shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printer search screen displayed on the display of client PC shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen on which an extended function can be used. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen for an expansion setting displayed on the display of client PC shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Server PC
2 Database 3-5 Client PC
6,7 Printer 10 Network

Claims (13)

A common printer driver program for controlling basic functions of a plurality of printers having similar functions and logical printer information for each printer including function information and print setting information for each printer are stored and input. The printer driver is installed so that the print job can be transmitted to the server device that controls the printing process to each printer in accordance with the printer job, and is associated with one of the logical printer information. In an information processing apparatus in which one logical printer information is registered,
Second logical printer information associated with the selected printer to be temporarily used from the server device by selecting a printer to be temporarily used by using a printer driver program installed in the information processing apparatus And a control means for temporarily replacing the first logical printer information with the acquired second logical printer information, and performing print setting input control, print job generation and transmission control. A characteristic information processing apparatus. A common printer driver program for controlling basic functions of a plurality of printers having similar functions and logical printer information for each printer including function information and print setting information for each printer are stored and input. In an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting a print job to a server apparatus that controls print processing to each printer according to a printer job,
First storage means for storing the printer driver program and first logical printer information associated with any one of the logical printer information held in the server device;
Control means for reading the printer driver program from the first storage means and executing print setting input processing, print execution processing, and printer switching processing;
In the print setting input process, the first logical printer information is read from the first storage means, and the print setting input information is controlled by using the read first logical printer information as print setting input information. 2 is stored in the storage means,
In the print execution process, the first logical printer information is read from the first storage unit, the print setting input information held in the second storage unit is read, and the read first logical printer is read. Information and print setting input information to generate a print job and send it to the server device,
In the printer switching process, second logical printer information different from the logical printer information associated with the first logical printer information is acquired from the server device, and the print setting input process and the print execution process are performed. An information processing apparatus that replaces the first logical printer information used at the time with the second logical printer information until the end of the print execution process.   3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print setting input process edits the print setting input information held in the second storage unit based on the replaced second logical printer information. .   The print setting input process does not edit the print setting input information for valid setting items based on the function information included in the replaced second logical printer information, and 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print setting input information is overwritten with the print setting information included in the second logical printer information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit starts execution of the printer switching process when any one of the printers is selected and the use of the printer is instructed.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an instruction to select and use one of the printers is performed from a print setting input screen provided in the print setting input process.   In the print setting input process, when the printer switching process is executed, the print setting items that can be input are changed and controlled according to the second logical printer information replaced by the printer switching process. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The server device stores and holds an extension module program for controlling an extension function included in only one of the printers,
When the printer corresponding to the replaced second logical printer information has an extension function, the control unit acquires the extension module program from the server device and executes the extension module program in the print execution process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The control means determines, based on function information in the replaced second logical printer information, whether or not a printer corresponding to the replaced second logical printer information has an extended function. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. A common printer driver program for controlling basic functions of a plurality of printers having similar functions and logical printer information for each printer including function information and print setting information for each printer are stored and input. The printer driver is installed so that the print job can be transmitted to the server device that controls the printing process to each printer in accordance with the printer job, and is associated with one of the logical printer information. In a printing control method for an information processing apparatus in which one logical printer information is registered,
Second logical printer information associated with the selected printer to be temporarily used from the server device by selecting a printer to be temporarily used by using a printer driver program installed in the information processing apparatus , And temporarily replacing the first logical printer information with the acquired second logical printer information, and performing print setting input control, print job generation, and transmission control. A printing control method. A common printer driver program for controlling basic functions of a plurality of printers having similar functions and logical printer information for each printer including function information and print setting information for each printer are stored and input. Any one of the logical printer information that is an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting a print job to a server apparatus that controls printing processing to each of the printers according to a printer job, and that is held in the server apparatus In the printing control method in the information processing apparatus having the first storage means for storing the first logical printer information linked to
The first logical printer information is read from the first storage means, and the input of print settings is controlled using the read first logical printer information to be held in the second storage means as print setting input information. A print setting input step executed based on the printer driver;
The first logical printer information is read from the first storage means, the print setting input information held in the second storage means is read, and the read first logical printer information and print setting input information are read. A print execution step executed based on the printer driver for generating a print job using the printer driver and transmitting the print job to the server device;
First logical printer information different from the logical printer information associated with the first logical printer information is acquired from the server device, and the first logic used when the print setting input step and the print execution step are executed. A printer switching step executed based on the printer driver replacing the printer information with the second logical printer information until the end of the print execution process;
A printing control method characterized by comprising:   A printer driver program for executing the printing control method according to claim 10.   A recording medium storing a printer driver program for executing the printing control method according to claim 10 in a computer-readable manner.

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