JP2012141732A - Information processor, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor for performing print setting of a printing device by a simple operation regardless of its connection configuration or model.SOLUTION: The information processor is configured to select a printer object showing the takeover destination of print setting by using a mouse (step S200), and to, when the takeover destination of the print setting is the same model as that of a takeover source printer, update the print setting of the takeover destination by using the print setting of the takeover source selected by using the mouse, and to, otherwise, update the print setting of the model common section of the takeover destination by using the print setting of the model common section of the takeover source selected by using the mouse (steps S204 to S210).

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology that makes it possible to easily perform print settings for a printing device.

  The print settings that are applied when printing using a printing device are determined according to the printing application and company policy, with standard settings for print layout (2in1 / 4in1), duplex / single-sided, color / monochrome, etc. In addition, there are many cases in which users perform operations using standard setting values.

  Currently, when performing print settings, settings are made using a user interface or the like. Therefore, even an experienced user can easily make settings, but for inexperienced users, setting is difficult. There are many cases to return.

  In addition, inexperienced users are considered to make settings while referring to a prepared manual or the like. However, there is a problem that it takes time and labor to create and set a manual.

  In addition, there are cases where it is required to make settings for past printing devices when introducing new printing devices or replacing printing devices. While creating manuals, while investigating and considering existing printing settings There are cases where preparations are made, and there is a problem that it takes more time and labor.

  As an implementation example for solving this problem, there are two technologies. First, when a new print device object that matches at least part of print device information related to a print device corresponding to an existing print device object is detected, A technique is known in which print device information of an existing print device object is acquired, the existing print device object is deleted, and the print device information of the new print device object is updated using the acquired print device information. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in response to the connection of the printing device to the information processing apparatus, the printing device information corresponding to the new printing device object generated corresponding to the connection of the printing device, and the new printing device object The print device information of the existing print device object being generated is acquired.

  If the model information included in the print device information of the existing print device object matches the model information included in the print device information of the new print device object, the print device information of the print device corresponding to the existing print device object is not displayed. A technique of controlling the display process is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-252936 A JP 2007-133900 A

  However, the technologies disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are effective only when a printer of the same model is used with a USB connection, and it is difficult to cope with a printer other than a USB connection. .

  For example, when using a network printer as well as a USB connection, the printer that is normally used may be changed due to a layout change or the like.

  In that case, as described above, the print settings of the printer used so far (paper size, double-sided / single-sided, paper feed cassette, stapling presence / absence, etc.) are recorded on the paper, and the print settings of the newly used printer are set. Since the settings are reflected while referring to the recorded contents, there is a problem that it takes labor and time.

  In addition, there are various print settings depending on the printer model, and there are cases where it is very troublesome to reflect all of them.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program that can easily set print settings for a printing device.

  A first invention for achieving the above object is an information processing apparatus for controlling management of a device object which is management information for managing a device, and detects a copy of an existing device object to detect the existing device. An acquisition unit that acquires device information of an object; and when a paste for a new device object is detected after acquiring the device information of the existing device object by the acquisition unit, the new device object is used using the device information of the existing device object And an update unit for updating the device information.

  A second invention for achieving the above object is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus that controls management of a device object that is management information for managing a device, and detects a copy of an existing device object. An acquisition step of acquiring device information of the existing device object; and after acquiring device information of the existing device object through the acquisition step, when a paste on a new device object is detected, the device information of the existing device object is used. An information processing apparatus control method comprising: executing an update step of updating device information of a new device object.

  A third invention for achieving the above object is a program executed in an information processing apparatus for controlling management of a device object which is management information for managing a device, and detects a copy of an existing device object And acquiring the device information of the existing device object, and when acquiring the device information of the existing device object by the acquiring unit and then detecting the paste for the new device object, the device information of the existing device object is It is a program characterized in that it functions as an update means for updating device information of a new device object.

  According to the present invention, the print settings of the printing device can be set by an easy operation of copy and paste regardless of the connection form of the printing device, so that labor and time related to the print setting can be reduced. There is an effect that it becomes possible.

It is a lineblock diagram showing a schematic structure of an information processing system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of printer information data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of print setting information data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the utility tool in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the utility tool in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the utility tool in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when copying a printer object in the PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a printer object is pasted in the PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data at the time of acquiring the print setting of the inheritance origin in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a model sharing part and a model specific part of print setting information in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a screen for confirming to a user when pasting print setting information in an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention particularly relates to an information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing system 100 includes a printer 101, a printer 102, a printer 103, a PC 104, and a printer 105.

  The PC 104 generates and transmits print data to the printer 101, the printer 102, the printer 103, and the printer 105.

  The printer 101 and the printer 102 have a network printer function, and receive print data generated by the PC 104 via the network 106 and perform output processing.

  Further, the printer 103 and the printer 105 have a USB terminal, are connected to the PC 104 via USB, receive print data generated by the PC 104 via USB, and perform output processing.

  In FIG. 1, only two network printers and two USB printers are shown, but in reality, a plurality of modes may be used. In addition, as a printing method of each printer, for example, printers of various printing methods such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, and a thermal transfer method are assumed.

  The network 106 is typically the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM, a frame relay line, a communication satellite line, a cable TV line, a data broadcasting wireless line, or a combination thereof. It is a so-called communication network that can be realized as long as it can transmit and receive data.

  Note that the configuration of various terminals connected to the network 106 in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal of the PC 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of the PC 104 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a LAN adapter 24, a video adapter 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, a hard disk 28, and a CD-ROM drive 29 are connected to each other via a system bus 20. The system bus 20 means, for example, a PCI bus, an AGP bus, a memory bus, and the like.

  In FIG. 2, a chip for connecting between buses, a keyboard interface, and an input / output interface such as so-called SCSI or ATAPI are omitted.

  The CPU 21 performs various operations such as four arithmetic operations and comparison operations and hardware control based on an operation system program and an application program. The RAM 22 stores an operation system program, an application program, and the like read from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or CD-R mounted in the hard disk 28 or the CD-ROM drive 29, and these are controlled by the CPU 21. Performed originally. The contents of the RAM 22 will be described later in detail as the contents of the memory map.

  The ROM 23 stores data such as so-called BIOS that manages input / output to / from a hard disk in cooperation with the operation system. The LAN adapter 24 communicates with the outside via a network in cooperation with an operation system communication program controlled by the CPU.

  The video adapter 25 generates an image signal to be output to the display device. A keyboard 26 and a mouse 27 that function as an input unit are used to input various instructions to the terminal.

  The hard disk 28 stores an operation system, an application program, and a program capable of realizing a flowchart described below.

  The CD-ROM drive 29 is used for installing a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or CD-R / W and installing an application program on the hard disk 28. Needless to say, a CD-R drive, CD-R / W drive, MO drive, DVD drive or the like may be used instead of the CD-ROM drive.

  Next, the functional configuration of the information processing system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the PC 104 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the functional configuration of the PC 104 will be particularly described.

  The application 301 is an application that generates print data. After the user selects an output destination printer, the print data is stored in the spooler 302 or the spooler 303 via the printer driver 304 or the printer driver 306.

  The spooler 302 and the spooler 303 are print queues created for each printer to output, and control the output order of print jobs. The network printer 101 and the network printer 102 pass through the transfer control unit 308 and the transfer control unit 309. Print job to.

  The printer driver 304 is a printer driver for the network printer 101, and stores print settings (paper size, double-sided / single-sided, etc.) related to the network printer 301 in a setting information registry 305 such as a registry.

  A printer driver 306 indicates a printer driver for the network printer 102, and print setting settings related to the network printer 102 are stored in a setting information registry 306 such as a registry.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of printer information related to the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer information 400 is composed of a plurality of types of information, and the contents of each information will be described below.

  First, 401 is the name of the printer server that controls the printer, 402 is the name of the printer, and this printer name is the printer object name. Reference numeral 403 denotes a network shared name, which represents a printer name when the printer is shared on the network.

  Reference numeral 404 denotes port information, which includes a port name, a number, and the like. Reference numeral 405 denotes a printer driver name, which represents the name of the printer driver used by the printer corresponding to the printer information 400. It is.

  Reference numeral 406 denotes a comment for the printer, and reference numeral 407 denotes printer setting information, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 408 denotes a separator page file name that designates a separator page file name to be injected between print jobs when printing from a printer.

  Reference numeral 409 denotes a print processor name, which represents the name of a print processor used when the printer performs print processing. Reference numeral 410 denotes a spool data name. Here, the spool data format includes, for example, RAW data and EMF data format. This name indicates which spool data format is used.

  Reference numeral 411 denotes a printer parameter representing various parameters given to the printer. Reference numeral 412 denotes printer security information representing information on a user permitted to access the printer.

  Reference numeral 413 denotes print job priority information, and reference numeral 414 denotes standard job priority information, which represents default job priority information. 415 is a printable start set time, and 416 is a printable end set time.

  417 is status information indicating the status of the printer, 418 represents the number of jobs held by the printer, and 419 represents the average printing time of the printer.

  The printer setting information (DEVMODE) 407 is a printer setting information structure defined in the Windows (registered trademark Microsoft product) operating system. An example of the definition will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the printer setting information 500, 501 is a hardware ID, 502 is a version number of an operating system to be used, 503 is a version number of a printer driver, 504 is a size of a DEVMODE structure, and 505 is an extended DEVMODE structure. A size of an area to be used, 506 is a flag indicating a function supported by the printer driver.

  Also, 507 is a value indicating the printing direction, 508 is a value indicating the paper size, 509 is a value indicating the paper length, 510 is a value indicating the paper width, 511 is a value indicating the magnification, 512 is a value indicating the number of copies, 513 is a value indicating the default paper type, 514 is a value indicating the print quality, 515 is a value indicating the color, and 516 is a value indicating whether duplex printing is performed.

  Also, 517 is a value indicating the vertical resolution of the image, 518 is a value when using the TrueType font, 519 is a value relating to the unit printing, 520 is a value indicating the name of the paper form, and 521 is a logical value. A value 522 indicating the resolution is a value related to the color resolution.

  Also, 523 to 526 are values used by the display driver, 527 is a value related to a method for specifying a color profile, 528 is a value related to a color matching method, 529 is a value indicating the type of paper, and 530 is a dithering value. The values 531, 532 indicating the method are reserved values.

  These information may be saved when plug and play installation is performed at the timing of USB connection, and then the print settings set using the screen may be saved or via a network. The print settings may be saved when the printer driver is installed, and then the print settings set using the screen may be saved.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the utility tool 312 is a tool for obtaining and setting print settings of the printer driver 304 and the printer driver 306.

  For example, FIGS. 6 to 8 show an example of the utility tool in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the utility tool 312 in the present embodiment, a list of printers existing in the OS can be displayed on the output device via the video adapter 25, and a printer object (icon) for each printer can be selected.

  FIG. 6 shows the display state of each printer object after the printer object is newly generated in the state where the printer objects of the printer 101 and the printer 102 exist.

  Reference numeral 600 denotes a printer object that has already been installed in the printer 101. Reference numeral 602 denotes a state in which a printer object corresponding to the printer 101 or the same model as the printer 101 is generated. Reference numeral 604 denotes a printer object corresponding to the printer 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 600 and 602, when a printer driver is assigned to a printer object that has already been introduced when a new printer object is generated, the printer object and OS for the same model are recognized and have the same printer object name. . However, a “copy” display is additionally displayed for the printer object name in order to identify the newly created one.

  Then, the user selects a printer object for which print settings are to be taken over by moving the cursor (not shown) using the input unit (mouse) 27 to focus, and then clicking the selected printer object. (Right, left, etc.) displays an operation type list as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the printer object 600 is selected by moving the cursor (not shown) using the input unit (mouse) 27 and focusing.

  Then, the user selects an operation type by moving a cursor (not shown) using the input unit (mouse) 27 and focusing from the operation type list. For example, in this embodiment, “copy” is selected. .

  Then, the print setting corresponding to the copied printer object is temporarily stored in the storage area such as the RAM 22, and then the user selects the takeover destination of the copied print setting.

  In order to select the print setting takeover destination, the cursor (not shown) is moved using the input unit (mouse) 27 to focus on the printer object desired as the print setting takeover destination as described above. Select with.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, selection is performed by moving a cursor (not shown) using the input unit (mouse) 27 and focusing on the printer object 604.

  Then, by clicking (right or left, etc.) in the selected state, an operation type list as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and a cursor (not shown) is used from the operation type list using the input unit (mouse) 27. ) Is moved and focused to select an operation type. For example, in the present embodiment, “paste” is selected.

  Then, the print settings corresponding to the printer object 602 for which paste is specified are taken over by using the printer object 600 for which copy specification is temporarily stored in a storage area such as the RAM 22.

  Next, copy processing for printing settings from a printer object in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S100, the utility tool 312 detects whether or not a copy request for a printer object has been made. If it is detected that a copy request has been made, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the printer information 400 corresponding to the printer object for which the copy request is made in step S100 is acquired from the setting information registry (305 or 306), and the printer setting information indicating the print setting structure specified from the printer information 400 is obtained. Get 500.

  In step S104, a printer name (printer object name) 402, a printer driver name 405, a separator page file name 408, print job priority information 413, standard job priority information 414, printing from the printer information 400 acquired in step S102. The possible start set time 415 and the printable end set time 416 are acquired and stored in a storage area such as the RAM 22.

  The data structure stored in the storage area is as shown in FIG. 11. The printer name (printer object name) 701 is the printer name (printer object name) 402, the printer driver name 702 is the printer driver name 405, Printer setting information (DEVMODE) 703 is printer setting information 500, print job priority information 704 is print job priority information 413, standard job priority information 705 is standard job priority information 414, and printing is possible. The start set time 706 corresponds to the print enable start set time 415, the print enable end set time 707 corresponds to the print enable end set time 416, and the separator page file name 708 corresponds to the print enable end set time 408.

  The means for storing in this step is not limited to the memory such as the RAM 22 and includes an external file.

  Next, paste processing for print settings from a printer object in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S200, the utility tool 312 detects whether or not a copy request for the printer object has been made. If it is detected that a paste request has been made, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, printer information 400 corresponding to the printer object requested to be copied in step S100 is acquired from the setting information registry (305 or 306), and printer setting information indicating the print setting structure specified from the printer information 400 is obtained. Get 500.

  In step S204, it is determined whether the printer driver name 702 stored in the RAM 22 in step S104 matches the printer driver name 405 included in the printer information 400 acquired in step S202. It is determined whether the printer object to be used and the printer object to which the print settings are taken over are of the same printer model.

  If it is determined that they are the same, the process proceeds to step S206; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S206, the printer setting information (DEVMODE) 703 stored in the RAM 22 in step S104 is used to update the printer setting information 500 acquired in step S202 and stored in the setting information registry (305 or 306).

  In step S208, the print setting structure of the model common part is acquired from the printer setting information (DEVMODE) 703 stored in the RAM 22 in step S104, and the acquired print setting structure of the model common part is used in step S202. The print setting structure of the common part of the acquired printer setting information 500 is updated and stored in the setting information registry (305 or 306).

  The printer setting information 500 has a model-common part and a unique model-specific part for each model, and the configuration is shown in FIG.

  Reference numerals 801 and 802 denote an example of printer setting information for each printer. Each print setting structure is a structure portion (standard DEVMODE) common to all models as indicated by 803 and 804 and 805 and 806, respectively. Each model is divided into unique information structures.

  The unique portion for each model is an area for storing information regarding functions (stapling and paper discharge destination) that the printer has uniquely.

  In this step, for example, the model common part 804 is updated using the information of the model common part 803, or the model common part 803 is updated using the information of the model common part 804.

  In step S210, the model-specific portion print setting structure is acquired from the printer setting information (DEVMODE) 703 stored in the RAM 22 in step S104, and the acquired model-specific portion print setting structure is acquired in step S202. The printer setting information 500 is compared with the print setting structure of the model-specific portion. That is, each item included in the model-specific portion 805 is compared with each item included in the model-specific portion 806.

  As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that all the items match, the process ends. If there is a mismatched item, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, a screen for confirming to the user whether or not to take over the print settings for the mismatched items in the model-specific portion is displayed.

  The configuration of the confirmation screen 900 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, reference numeral 901 denotes a printer object name as a takeover destination of print settings, 902 denotes a printer object name as a takeover destination, and 903 denotes a printer as a takeover source of print settings. , An item that is regarded as a mismatch in step S210, and 904, an item that is regarded as a mismatch in step S210 is displayed on the printer that is the transfer destination of the print settings, and an item for which the print settings are to be inherited is selected. There are a check box 905 and an OK button 906 that is pressed to continue the processing with the content displayed on the confirmation screen 900.

  In step S214, it is determined whether or not the OK button on the confirmation screen 900 has been pressed, and when the OK button is pressed, the process branches depending on whether or not a check is entered in the check box 905.

  If it is determined that a check is input in the check box 905, the process proceeds to step S216 on the assumption that the print setting of the model-specific portion is taken over, and if it is not determined that the check is input in the check box 905, The processing is terminated assuming that the print settings of the model-specific part are not inherited.

  In step S216, the print setting structure in the model specific part of the printer setting information 500 acquired in step S202 is updated using the item corresponding to the check box 905 in which the check is input in step S214, and the setting information registry (305 or 306).

  In this step, for example, the model specific part 806 is updated using the information of the model specific part 805, or the model specific part 805 is updated using the information of the model specific part 806.

  According to the present invention, the print settings of the printing device can be set by an easy operation of copy and paste regardless of the connection form of the printing device, so that labor and time related to the print setting can be reduced. It becomes possible.

  By performing the above processing, it is possible to copy the print setting of the existing device to the print setting of the new device by a simple process of copy and paste.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in 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.

20 System bus 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 LAN adapter 25 Video adapter 26 Input section (keyboard)
27 Input section (mouse)
28 Hard disk 29 CD-ROM drive 101 Network printer 102 Network printer 103 USB connection printer 104 PC
105 USB connection printer 106 Network

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus that controls management of device objects that are management information for managing devices,
Obtaining means for detecting a copy of an existing device object and obtaining device information of the existing device object;
An update means for updating device information of the new device object using the device information of the existing device object when the paste to the new device object is detected after acquiring the device information of the existing device object by the acquisition means;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the updating unit updates the device information of the new device object with respect to model common information of device information of the existing device object.   3. The update device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that accepts an update selection when updating the device information of the new device object with respect to the model-specific information of the device information of the existing device object. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit is capable of selecting an element to be updated from the model-specific information.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the copy and the paste are detected by a mouse operation. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus that controls management of a device object that is management information for managing a device,
An acquisition step of detecting a copy of an existing device object and acquiring device information of the existing device object;
An update step of updating the device information of the new device object using the device information of the existing device object when the paste to the new device object is detected after acquiring the device information of the existing device object by the acquiring step;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, characterized by: A program executed in an information processing apparatus that controls management of a device object that is management information for managing a device,
Obtaining means for detecting a copy of an existing device object and obtaining device information of the existing device object;
An update means for updating device information of the new device object using the device information of the existing device object when the paste to the new device object is detected after acquiring the device information of the existing device object by the acquisition means;
A program characterized by making it function.

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