JP2009223576A - Information-processing device, information-processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information-processing device which can improve the flexibility of a GUI for print setting, and also to provide an information-processing method and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The information-processing device can additionally install a program module. The device includes: a print setting screen displaying means which displays a print setting screen for setting printing conditions; and an expansion module controlling means which generates an expansion screen for setting expanded printing conditions with the program module implemented by an interface determined in advance and displays the expansion screen from the print setting screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for setting printing conditions.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral can be enhanced by adding (installing) a program after shipment. When the function enhancement is performed, a screen corresponding to the function is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user can use an additional function via the operation panel.

By the way, when a print instruction is issued in a PC (Personal Computer) or the like connected via a network, the print condition is set via a print setting dialog displayed by a printer driver installed in the PC.
JP 2002-175258 A

  Conventionally, however, the GUI (Graphical User Interface) by the printer driver has been fixed. Accordingly, when new printing conditions can be set due to enhancement of functions on the image forming apparatus side, it is necessary to modify the source code of the printer driver in order to enable setting of the printing conditions. From the end user's point of view, complicated operations such as reinstallation of the printer driver are required.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of improving the flexibility of a print setting GUI.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an information processing apparatus to which a program module can be added, and is implemented by a print setting screen display unit that displays a print setting screen for setting print conditions, and a predetermined interface. And an extended module control unit that generates an extended screen for setting the extended printing condition in the program module and allows the extended screen to be displayed from the print setting screen.

  In such an information processing apparatus, the flexibility of the print setting GUI can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of improving the flexibility of a print setting GUI.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the host computer 10 and the printer 20 are connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) (whether wired or wireless) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  The host computer 10 is a computer used by a user for generating document data, instructing printing of document data, and the like. The host computer 10 executes various types of software on an OS (Operating System) such as Windows (registered trademark). In FIG. 1, a host computer 10 has an application 11, a drawing program 12, a printer driver 13, and the like as functions relating to printing of document data and the like. These function when a program installed in the host computer 10 is processed by a CPU (not shown). The program may be downloaded via a network or installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The application 11 is an application such as word processing software or spreadsheet software used for generating information to be printed by the printer 20 such as document data.

  The drawing program 12 is a module that provides a function interface for drawing to the application 11 that absorbs differences due to the type of device such as a printer or a display. When the application 11 is instructed to print the document data to be operated, the application 11 calls a function of the drawing program 12. In response to a function call from the application 11, the drawing program 12 receives data in a format that can be interpreted by the application-independent OS into document data in an application-specific format (for example, data in an EMF (Enhanced Meta File) format, etc. The image data is converted to “drawing data”), and the generated drawing data is output to the printer driver 13. The drawing program 12 corresponds to, for example, GDI (Graphics Device Interface) in a Windows (registered trademark) environment.

  The printer driver 13 includes a UI unit 131, a drawing processing unit 132, and the like. The UI unit 131 displays a print setting dialog on the display device as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for setting print conditions (print settings) or print commands (print conditions such as aggregation, double-sided printing, stapling, and punching).

  In the figure, the UI unit 131 includes a UI core unit 14, extended UI modules 15 a and 15 b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “extended UI module 15”), and the like. The UI core unit 14 includes a basic UI unit 141, a consistency verification unit 142, and an extended UI module interface 143. The basic UI unit 141 performs display control of a GUI (print setting dialog) corresponding to basic functions of the printer driver 13 (functions provided in the printer driver 13 at the time of installation). The setting consistency verification unit 142 checks (verifies) the consistency of the setting contents of the printing conditions for the print setting dialog. Here, consistency means that, for example, functions or values having an exclusive relationship are not set. The extended UI module interface 143 is an interface part for a program module (extended UI module 15) that extends the function of the print setting dialog. That is, the printer driver 13 according to the present embodiment can expand the display content of the print setting dialog by installing (adding) the extended UI module 15. The extended UI module 15a and the extended UI module 15b in the same figure are examples of the extended UI module 15.

  Note that the extension of the GUI by the extension UI module 15 is performed based on specifications and interfaces predetermined in the UI core unit 14 such as addition of a property sheet or addition of a new dialog, for example. Therefore, each extended UI module 15 needs to be mounted in accordance with the specifications. Specifically, the extended UI module 15 includes an extended UI generation function according to the specification and the like. When the extended UI generation function is called by the extended UI module interface 143, the extended UI module 15 generates a display component (property sheet or dialog) defined in the specification and operates the display component (extended UI). Information (such as a handle or ID) is returned to the extended UI module interface 143. The extended UI module interface 143 adds an extended UI to the print setting dialog based on the returned information. For example, when the extended UI is a property sheet, the extended UI module interface 143 adds the property sheet to the print setting dialog generated by the basic UI unit 141. When the extended UI is a dialog, the extended UI module interface 143 adds a button for displaying the dialog to a predetermined position of the print setting dialog generated by the basic UI unit 141.

  The drawing processing unit 132 prints document data to the printer based on the printing conditions set in the print setting dialog in response to a drawing command from the OS based on the drawing data (for example, a call through a device driver interface (DDI)). Print data to be generated. The print data output from the drawing processing unit 132 is transmitted to the printer 20 via a spooler and a port monitor (not shown).

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the printing system will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when the print setting dialog is displayed.

  When a display request for a print setting dialog is input by the user (S101), the basic UI unit 141 of the UI core unit 14 is referred to as a basic (not extended) print setting dialog (hereinafter referred to as “basic UI”). ) Is generated (S102). Subsequently, the extension module interface 143 of the UI core unit 14 confirms whether or not the extension UI module 15 is installed (S103). The confirmation may be performed based on, for example, whether the file of the extended UI module 15 exists in a predetermined position (for example, a predetermined folder) of the storage device of the host computer 10. When the extension module does not exist (No in S104), the basic UI unit 141 displays the basic UI (S108).

  On the other hand, when the extension module exists (Yes in S104), the extension UI module interface 143 acquires the extension UI information of each extension UI module 15 that exists (S105). Here, the extended UI information is information including a module identifier of an extended UI module, a module version, a name of an extended UI (extended UI name), consistency information, and the like. Consistency information refers to printing conditions that can be set in the basic UI (hereinafter referred to as “basic conditions”), and printing conditions that can be set in the extended UI of the extended UI module (hereinafter referred to as “extended conditions”). Information that defines the relationship. Specifically, an exclusive relationship or an essential relationship between a certain parameter in the basic condition and a certain parameter in the extended condition (if either one is specified, the other must also be specified) If there is a relationship, this is described. In addition, the consistency information may define not only the relationship with the basic condition but also the relationship with the extended condition by another extended UI module 15. This is because, in the extended UI module 15 developed later, the relationship with the expansion conditions by the existing extended UI module 15 can be defined. The extended UI information may be acquired from a file associated with each extended UI module 15, or may be acquired by calling a predetermined function (extended UI information acquisition function) of each extended UI module 15. Also good. In the latter case, each extended UI module 15 needs to have an extended UI information acquisition function implemented by a predetermined interface.

  Subsequently, the extended UI module interface 143 registers the acquired extended UI information in a storage location (for example, in a predetermined variable on the memory) that can be recognized by the UI core unit 14. Subsequently, the extended UI module interface 143 calls an extended UI generation function of each extended UI module 15 to cause each extended UI module 15 to generate an extended UI, and sets the extended UI (for example, a property sheet) as a basic UI. Arrange (S107). When the extended UI is a dialog, the dialog does not have to be generated at this timing. It is sufficient that at least a button for displaying a dialog is generated by the extended UI module 15 or the basic UI unit 141 and arranged in the print setting dialog. Thereafter, when the button is pressed, the print UI module interface 143 calls the extended UI generation function of the corresponding extended UI module 15. In response, the extended UI module 15 displays a dialog that is an extended UI.

  Subsequent to step S107, the basic UI unit 141 displays a print setting dialog on the display device (S108). At this time, an extended UI or a button for displaying the extended UI is arranged in the print setting dialog. Therefore, the user can set an expansion condition using the extended UI.

  Next, processing when setting print conditions for the print setting dialog performed after the print setting dialog is displayed will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the printing condition setting process in the basic UI.

  In a state where the basic UI is displayed, the basic UI unit 141 accepts various basic condition settings by the user (S201). Thereafter, when a setting end instruction is input by pressing an OK button or the like (S202), the basic UI unit 141 notifies the UI core unit 14 of the printing conditions set on the basic UI (S203).

  The UI core unit 14 executes consistency verification for the notified printing conditions (S204). Here, the consistency is verified only for the basic conditions. Therefore, the verification may be performed based on a definition previously incorporated in the UI core unit 14 as program logic, or may be performed based on information defined in an external file.

  When there is a problem in consistency, the UI core unit 14 notifies the basic UI unit 141 of the problem of consistency (S205). In response to the notification, the basic UI unit 141 displays a dialog for notifying that there is a problem with consistency on the display device (S206).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog for notifying a problem in consistency. In the figure, the dialog 510 includes a message 511 for notifying that “aggregation” and “magnification” cannot be set simultaneously, and a message 512 for notifying that “magnification” and “double-sided” cannot be set simultaneously. It is displayed. For any message, it is possible to select which of the parameters having an exclusive relationship to cancel. Therefore, the dialog 511 allows the user to easily achieve consistency (without performing any operation again in the print setting dialog). When the OK button 513 is pressed in the dialog 510, the basic UI unit 141 notifies the UI core unit 14 of the printing conditions again, similarly to step S203.

  Subsequently, the UI core unit 14 registers the printing condition notified from the basic UI unit 141 in a predetermined variable (structure) (S207). Subsequently, the UI core unit 14 notifies the basic UI unit 141 of the normal end of the printing condition setting process (S208). In response to the notification, the basic UI unit 141 closes the print setting dialog.

  Note that the drawing processing unit 132 executes print data generation processing based on a predetermined variable (structure) for which printing conditions are set.

  Next, processing when setting is performed on the extended UI will be described. 5 and 6 are sequence diagrams for explaining the printing condition setting process in the extended UI. The process shown in the figure can be executed either before or after the process shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs a display request (such as tab or button selection) for an extended UI (extended UIa) related to the extended UI module 15a in a state where the print setting dialog is displayed (S301), the UI core unit 14 The display of the extended UIa is instructed to the extended UI module 15a (S302). In response to the instruction, the extended UI module 15a displays the extended UIa.

  In the state where the extended UIa is displayed, the extended UI module 15a accepts the setting of various extended conditions by the user (S303). Thereafter, when an instruction to finish setting on the extended UIa is input by pressing another tab button or an OK button (S304), the extended UI module 15a sets the extended condition set on the extended UIa to the UI core section. 14 (S305).

  The UI core unit 14 verifies the consistency of the notified extension condition with the basic condition (S306). Here, the consistency is verified based on the consistency information related to the extended UI module 15a.

  If there is a problem in consistency, the UI core unit 14 notifies the extended UI module 15a of the problem of consistency (S307). In response to the notification, the extended UI module 15a displays a dialog 510 for notifying that there is a problem with consistency on the display device (S308). When the OK button 513 is pressed in the dialog 510, the extended UI module 15a notifies the UI core unit 14 of the extended condition again, as in step S305.

  Subsequently, the UI core unit 14 registers the expansion condition notified from the extended UI module 15a in a predetermined variable (structure) (S309). Subsequently, the UI core unit 14 notifies the extended UI module 15a of the normal termination of the extension condition setting process (S310). In response to the notification, the extended UI module 15a closes the property sheet or dialog related to the extended UI. As a result, the basic UI is displayed in the print setting dialog.

  In such a state, when a display request (selection of tab or button, etc.) of the extended UI (extended UIb) related to the extended UI module 15b is input by the user (FIG. 6: S401), the UI core unit 14 displays the extended UI. The module 15b is instructed to display the extended UIb (S402). In response to the instruction, the extended UI module 15b displays the extended UIb.

  Hereinafter, Steps S403 to S410 are the same as Steps S303 to S310 in FIG. 5 except that the extended UI module 15b is used instead of the extended UI module 15a, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In step S406, the UI core unit 14 verifies the consistency of the extended condition notified from the extended UI module 15b with the basic condition (S406). Here, the consistency is verified based on the consistency information related to the extended UI module 15b. In the consistency information, when the consistency with the extended condition set in the extended UI module 15a is always defined, the consistency with the extended condition is also verified.

  As described above, according to the printer driver 13 in the present embodiment, the GUI (print setting dialog) for print setting can be extended by adding the extended UI module 15. Therefore, even after the printer driver 13 is installed, the display content of the print setting dialog can be changed without being reinstalled.

  In addition, the printer driver provider can easily cope with a custom-made function according to the user's operation.

  By the way, when the expansion is performed on the printer driver 13 side, there is a possibility that a function corresponding to the expansion is not installed on the printer 20 side. Therefore, an example in which such inconvenience is solved will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when a function corresponding to the extension to the printer driver is not installed in the printer. In the figure, an example in which an expansion condition is set by the extended UI module 15a is shown.

  Steps S501 to S507 are substantially the same as steps S301 to S305 in FIG. However, in FIG. 7, in response to the display request of the extended UIa, the UI core unit 14 inquires about a print function (print condition) that can be supported by the printer 20 (S502), and the response content (hereinafter “printer corresponding condition information”). Is stored in the memory (S503).

  When the extended condition set in step S507 is notified from the extended UI module 15a, the UI core unit 14 determines whether or not the printer 20 can handle the notified extended condition based on the printer corresponding condition information (S508). ). Specifically, it is determined whether or not all the parameters of the extended conditions that have been set are included as compatible parameters in the printer corresponding condition information. Although consistency is also determined, it is omitted here for convenience.

  If at least some parameters of the set expansion conditions are not compatible with the printer 20, the UI core unit 14 designates the name of the parameters and inquires of the printer 20 whether or not a function can be added (S509). ). In response to the inquiry, the printer 20 confirms whether the function can be added and responds with the result. For example, when a list of functions that can be expanded in advance is recorded in the printer 20 and the location (URL or the like) of a program for realizing the functions is recorded, the printer 20 functions based on the function list. Judge whether or not to add. Alternatively, a program related to an additional function may be dynamically searched using a discovery service (Web service) on the network.

  If the response from the printer 20 indicates that the function can be added, the UI core unit 14 instructs the printer 20 to install a program related to the additional function (S510). In response to the installation instruction, the printer 20 installs the program. The printer 20 preferably uses an OSGi (Open Services Gateway Initiative) framework as the program execution environment.

  The OSGi framework is a standardized technology by the OSGi Alliance, and is a software platform that provides an execution environment for software components created based on an open software componentization technology based on the Java (registered trademark) language. On the OSGi framework, Java (registered trademark) language software is implemented in the form of software components called “bundles”. One bundle is constituted by one JAR (Java (registered trademark) ARchive) file, and can be installed dynamically independently (without restarting the apparatus).

  Therefore, when the printer 20 includes the OSGi framework and the program related to the additional function is mounted as a bundle, it is not necessary to restart the printer 20 when the bundle is installed. However, dynamic installation (requires no restart) may not be possible. In this case, it is only necessary to automatically reboot (restart) after installation.

  If the function cannot be added or if the installation fails, the UI core unit 14 notifies the extension module 15a that printing corresponding to the extension condition is impossible (S511). In response to the notification, the extended UI module 15a displays, for example, a message for requesting a change in the extended condition setting on the display device (S512).

  On the other hand, when the installation is normally completed, the UI core unit 14 sets the extension condition notified from the extension UI module 15a to a predetermined variable (structure) (S513).

  As described above, the printer driver 13 according to the present embodiment can cause the printer 20 to dynamically expand the function even when the function of the printer 20 does not support the expanded UI. Therefore, the difference between the printing conditions that can be set on the printer driver 13 side and the printing conditions that can be handled by the printer 20 can be appropriately absorbed without imposing a burden on the user.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when a print setting dialog is displayed. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining a printing condition setting process in a basic UI. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog which notifies the problem in consistency. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining print condition setting processing in an extended UI. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining print condition setting processing in an extended UI. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when a function corresponding to extension to the printer driver is not installed in the printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host computer 11 Application 12 Drawing program 13 Printer driver 14 UI core part 15a, 15b Extended UI module 20 Printer 131 UI part 132 Drawing process part 141 Basic UI part 142 Consistency verification part 143 Extended UI module interface

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus to which a program module can be added,
A print setting screen display means for displaying a print setting screen for setting print conditions;
Information processing comprising: an extension module control unit that causes the program module implemented by a predetermined interface to generate an extension screen for setting extended printing conditions, and allows the extension screen to be displayed from the print setting screen apparatus. Consistency information management means in which information for determining consistency between the printing conditions set on the extended screen and other printing conditions is recorded;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine consistency between the print condition set on the extended screen and another print condition based on the information. Correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information for identifying print conditions that can be handled by the image forming apparatus;
Based on the correspondence information, a correspondence availability determination unit that determines whether the printing conditions set in the extended screen by the image forming apparatus are compatible,
3. The information according to claim 1, further comprising: an addition request transmitting unit configured to transmit a request for adding a program for responding to the incompatible printing condition to the image forming apparatus when there is an incompatible printing condition. Processing equipment. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus to which a program module can be added,
A print setting screen display procedure for displaying a print setting screen for setting print conditions;
Information processing comprising: an extension module control procedure for causing the program module implemented by a predetermined interface to generate an extension screen for setting extended printing conditions and enabling the extension screen to be displayed from the print setting screen Method.   Using the consistency information management means in which information for determining the consistency between the printing conditions set on the extended screen and other printing conditions is recorded, other printing is performed for the printing conditions set on the extended screen. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a determination procedure for determining consistency with a condition. A correspondence information acquisition procedure for acquiring correspondence information for identifying print conditions that can be handled by the image forming apparatus;
A supportability determination procedure for determining whether to support a print condition set on the extended screen by the image forming apparatus based on the support information;
6. The information according to claim 4, further comprising: an additional request transmission procedure for transmitting a request for adding a program for responding to the incompatible printing condition to the image forming apparatus when there is an incompatible printing condition. Processing method. To a computer that can add program modules,
A print setting screen display procedure for displaying a print setting screen for setting print conditions;
In order to cause the program module implemented by a predetermined interface to generate an extended screen for setting extended printing conditions, and to execute an extended module control procedure that allows the extended screen to be displayed from the print setting screen Program.   Using the consistency information management means in which information for determining the consistency between the printing conditions set on the extended screen and other printing conditions is recorded, other printing is performed for the printing conditions set on the extended screen. The program according to claim 7, further comprising a determination procedure for determining consistency with a condition. A correspondence information acquisition procedure for acquiring correspondence information for identifying print conditions that can be handled by the image forming apparatus;
A supportability determination procedure for determining whether to support a print condition set on the extended screen by the image forming apparatus based on the support information;
9. The program according to claim 7, further comprising: an additional request transmission procedure for transmitting a request for adding a program for responding to the incompatible printing condition to the image forming apparatus when there is an incompatible printing condition. .

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