JP2017054496A - Information processor, printing system, information processing method, printing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate selecting an appropriate print setting value for an intended print result about a print setting item having many print setting values.SOLUTION: In a printing system 1, computers PC1 to PCm acquire sheet list databases PD registered in DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, and store print setting contents as a history print setting database RD in each print. When a print category is designated in print setting, the computers PC1 to PCm present a sheet kind registered in both the sheet list database PD and the history print setting database RD as a sheet list to enable the setting of a user's sheet kind.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, an information processing method, a printing method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, an information processing method, a printing method, and a program for performing print settings.

  The image forming apparatus forms an image by placing a recording agent according to an image forming method on a recording medium such as plain paper, recycled paper, coated paper, and film.

  Therefore, the amount of recording agent, color setting, etc. corresponding to the recording medium attribute information consisting of a large amount of information such as size (A3, A4, letter, etc.), type (plain paper, recycled paper, coated paper, film, etc.), weighing, etc. To print out an image of the required print quality.

  Conventionally, in printing, a combination of these recording medium attribute information is managed as a recording medium list (hereinafter simply referred to as a paper list). In printing, when a user designates a paper list, printing of recording agent amount, color setting, etc. based on recording medium attribute information (hereinafter simply referred to as paper attribute information) of the designated paper list. Setting is performed to ensure the required print quality.

  In color printing, the image forming apparatus stores various conversion information necessary for converting input image data such as RGB image data into output image data corresponding to an output device such as CMY data as a color profile. To do. In printing, the image forming apparatus performs print setting by the user selecting from a number of color profiles to ensure the required color print quality.

  However, since there are a large number of paper lists and color profiles, the user may select an appropriate paper list or color profile from a large number of paper lists or color profiles in order to obtain an intended print result when performing print settings. It is difficult and workability is poor.

Conventionally, an information processing apparatus that generates print data to be printed by an image input / output device via a network, and indicates a medium type of the image input / output device from a user interface provided by a printer driver. An instruction input unit that inputs an instruction to acquire paper type information, and a device information acquisition module that is used by a network device management utility that manages the image input / output device based on an instruction input by the instruction input unit; And requesting means for requesting paper type information from the image input / output device via a network, and paper type information from the image input / output device in response to a request from the requesting means. Acquisition means for acquiring via the acquisition means, and the image input / output device acquired by the acquisition means The paper type information, and reflecting means for reflecting on a user interface provided by the printer driver, an information processing apparatus having a has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, information on the paper type indicating the medium type of the image input / output device is acquired and the information on the paper type is displayed by the printer driver. Therefore, the paper type stored in the image input / output device can be selected by the printer driver. However, in order to reflect the information of all the paper types stored in the image input / output device in the user interface of the printer driver, The user needs to select an appropriate paper type for the intended printing result from a large number of paper types, and it is difficult not only to select an appropriate paper type, but also the workability is poor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values set in the print setting.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a print setting interface providing unit that provides a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items; A specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item, and data acquisition means for acquiring the specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item as specific print setting data; A history storage unit that stores the print setting value set for the print setting item by the print setting interface providing unit as history print setting data; and a related print setting item related to the specific print setting item, Related print setting value acquisition means for acquiring related print setting values set in the print setting interface providing means; Among the print setting values registered in both the print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print setting value for the specific print setting item is acquired. And setting value presenting means for presenting the print setting interface providing means as candidates.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values set in the print setting.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image output apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the DFE apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list database. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the history print setting database. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the printing system. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list editing screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper attribute setting screen. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the history registration process. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an imposition / bookbinding print setting screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list database in imposition / bookbinding. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper print setting screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list database for job paper. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an exception page print setting screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list database in an exception page. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an exceptional sheet print setting screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper list extracted from only the paper list database. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a paper list presentation process using a history. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of paper extraction from the history print setting database based on the print category and paper setting. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper extracted from the history print setting database. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a paper list extracted from the paper list database for the paper of FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history color profile print setting database according to the second embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing print setting processing using history color profile print settings. FIG. 25 is a front view illustrating an example of a print setting screen. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing color profile selection processing. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile search condition setting screen.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is unduly limited by the following description. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
1 to 22 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus, a printing system, an information processing method, a printing method, and a program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates printing according to the first embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system 1. FIG.

  1, a printing system 1 includes a plurality of printing units Pu1 to Pun and a plurality of computers PC1 to PCm connected to a wired or wireless network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or a wired and wireless network NW. ing.

  The printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun include DFE devices Df1 to Dfn and image output devices Gk1 to Gkn, respectively, and the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn are connected to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. The DFE devices Df1 to Dfn are connected to the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn by at least one of a wired communication line and a wireless communication line L. In FIG. 1, the printing units Pu1 to Pun are connected to one DFE device Df1 to Dfn and one image output device Gk1 to Gkn. However, a plurality of printing units Pu1 to Pun are connected to one DFE device Df1 to Dfn. Image output devices Gk1 to Gkn may be connected.

  Also, in the printing system 1, the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn are stored in a separate housing from the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn, and the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn and the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn are separate individuals. However, the image forming apparatus may be housed in one housing. In this case, the image output apparatuses Gk1 to Gkn are image forming apparatuses including an image processing unit that executes image processing of the DFE apparatus.

  The computers (information processing apparatuses) PC1 to PCm include print data and print settings in an arbitrary PDL (Page Description Language) based on data and print settings created by an installed application. Generate a print request (print job). The computers PC1 to PCm transmit the generated print requests to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. The computers PC1 to PCm add sheet type information based on a sheet list, which will be described later, to the print request and transmit it to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. That is, the computers PC1 to PCm, when making a print request to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the paper type information appropriately selected by the user from the paper list provided from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, together with the print request, the DFE device. Transmit to Df1 to Dfn.

  As the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn, printers or the like are used. Based on a print job from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, a predetermined printing method, for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, and a recording target such as paper or film An image is printed out on a medium (hereinafter simply referred to as paper).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn include a controller 10, an engine unit 11, an operation display unit 12, and the like. The controller 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a read only memory (ROM) 22, a random access memory (RAM) 23, a non-volatile memory 24, a network I / F 25, an engine I / F 26, an operation display I / F 27, and an external device. I / F28 etc. are provided. Each part of the controller 10 is connected by a bus 29.

  For example, in the case of a tandem type electrophotographic system, the engine unit 11 is, for example, images of special colors, black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) along the conveyance belt. A forming unit is disposed. Each image forming unit includes, for example, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit around the photoconductor. The engine unit 11 operates the optical writing unit in accordance with the drawing data (image data) of each color received from the controller 10 in each color image forming unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. In the image forming unit of each color, the engine unit 11 forms a toner image of each color by supplying toner of each color from the developing unit onto the photosensitive member and developing the electrostatic latent image, and forms paper (covered paper) from the paper feeding unit. The recording medium) is fed between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, and the toner images on the photosensitive member are sequentially superimposed on the paper and transferred. The engine unit 11 conveys the paper on which the toner image is transferred to the fixing unit, and heats and presses the paper on the fixing unit to fix the toner image on the paper, thereby forming a color image and outputting a printed matter. Note that the engine unit 11 is not limited to the image forming units of the respective colors disposed along the conveyance belt, and may be disposed along the intermediate transfer belt, for example.

  The operation display unit 12 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a clear stop key, a start key, a reset key, and a program key, and a display. The operation display unit 12 receives commands for causing the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn to perform various operations using operation keys.

  As the display of the operation display unit 12, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with a touch panel in which a touch panel for detecting a touch operation is provided on an upper surface of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used. The display displays and outputs various information notified to the user from the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn and the operation content of the operation keys.

  The controller 10 stores a program and various necessary data for processing and managing data in the controller 10 and controlling peripheral modules in the ROM 22. Specifically, the ROM 22 stores various programs such as basic processing programs and firmware as the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn, and stores various data necessary for executing these programs. .

  Based on a program stored in the ROM 22, the CPU 21 performs various types of image processing by controlling each unit of the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn while using the RAM 23 as a work memory.

  The RAM 23 is used as a work memory for the CPU 21. The RAM 23 is used as a buffer for temporarily storing print data from the computer, a bitmap memory for converting the print data into drawing data suitable for actual printing, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 24 uses, for example, an NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, and the like, and retains the stored contents even when the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn are turned off. It is memory. The nonvolatile memory 24 stores various data such as system setting values under the control of the CPU 21 as data that needs to be retained even when the power of the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn is OFF.

  The network I / F 25 is connected to the communication line L, and performs communication with the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn via the communication line L.

  The engine I / F 26 is connected to the engine unit 11. The engine I / F 26 outputs data such as control signals and drawing data from the controller 10 to the engine unit 11, and exchanges signals such as status signals from the engine unit 11 to the controller 10.

  The operation display I / F 27 is connected to the operation display unit 12 and exchanges signals between the CPU 21 and the operation display unit 12.

  The external I / F 28 is mounted so that a portable storage medium Mk can be contacted and separated. The portable storage medium Mk is an IC (Integrated Circuit), an SD (Secure Digital) card, a flash memory card, or the like. Various data are written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn include a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a nonvolatile memory 34, an input I / F 35, an output I / F 36, an external I / F 37, a communication I / F 38, and the like. Each unit is connected by a bus 39.

  The ROM 32 stores the basic program as the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the information processing method of the present invention, the program of the part to be executed by the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the system data, and the like.

  The RAM 33 is used as a work memory for the CPU 31 and stores image data and other data.

  Based on the program in the ROM 32, the CPU 31 uses the RAM 33 as a work memory, controls each part of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, and executes basic processing as the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. Further, the CPU 31 executes a portion to be executed by the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn in the information processing method and printing method of the present invention based on the information processing method and printing method program of the present invention in the ROM 32.

  The nonvolatile memory 34 is a memory that uses NVRAM, SSD, hard disk or the like, and retains stored contents even when the power of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn is OFF. The non-volatile memory 34 is, for example, system setting values and various data used in the information processing method and printing method of the present invention as data that needs to be stored even when the power of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn is OFF. Are stored under the control of the CPU 31.

  In particular, the nonvolatile memory 34 stores a paper list database PD as paper print setting data as shown in FIG. The paper list database PD is a paper list indicating a paper type that combines many attributes such as paper size, paper type (plain paper, recycled paper, coated paper, matte paper, glossy paper, etc.), basis weight, and the like. . The quality of the print quality is determined by combining the paper type with print settings such as the ink amount and color settings in a good state. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the paper list database PD includes items of a print setting screen, paper setting items, and print category items. The print category items further include small items of normal, bookbinding, and speed / repeat. In addition, the bookbinding includes sub-items for mini-books and weekly magazines. The sub-items for speed / repeat are sub-items for speed and repeat.

  The printing category is information that classifies the type of printing (printing purpose). For example, the printing category is information that the paper printed by the printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun is folded into two (bookbinding printing) or cut by a post-processing machine. The print category is information on how the print source data is imposed on the print medium (paper). Imposition is to print a plurality of pages all together (Nup printing). For example, data for one page of original data is assigned to one side (1up printing), and data for two pages of original data is assigned to one side (2up printing).

  An input device 41 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus pen, and a touch panel is connected to the input I / F 35, and the input I / F 35 outputs various commands input from the input device 41 to the CPU 31. In particular, the input device 41 performs an editing operation on a paper list database PD, which will be described later, and the CPU 31 performs a paper list database PD stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 according to the editing operation on the paper list database PD operated from the input device 41. Register, edit, delete, etc.

  An output device 42 such as a display, a lamp, and a speaker is connected to the output I / F 36, and the output I / F 36 outputs output data such as display data, blinking data, and audio data to the output device 42 under the control of the CPU 31. Output. As this display, a display with a touch panel may be used.

  The external I / F 37 is detachably mounted with a portable storage medium Mk, and the portable storage medium Mk is an IC, an SD card, a flash memory card, or the like. Various data is written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 31. In particular, the external I / F 37 writes and stores the paper list database PD in the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 31, and reads the paper list database PD stored in the portable storage medium Mk.

  The DFE devices Df1 to Dfn transmit the paper list database PD managed by themselves to the computers PC1 to PCm at an appropriate timing.

  The communication I / F 38 is connected to the communication line L and the network NW, communicates with the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn through the communication line L, and communicates with the computers PC1 to PCm via the network NW.

  Computers PC1 to PCm are computers having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration, and a program for executing the information processing method of the present invention is installed as software. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the computers PC1 to PCm include a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a nonvolatile memory 54, an input I / F 55, an output I / F 56, an external I / F 57, a communication I / F 58, and the like. Each part is connected by a bus 59.

  The ROM 52 stores a basic program as the computers PC1 to PCm, a program of the information processing method of the present invention, system data, and the like.

  The RAM 53 is used as a work memory for the CPU 51 and stores image data and other data.

  Based on the program in the ROM 52, the CPU 51 uses the RAM 53 as a work memory to control each part of the computers PC1 to PCm, and executes basic processing as the computers PC1 to PCm. Further, the CPU 51 executes the information processing method of the present invention based on the information processing method program in the ROM 52.

  The nonvolatile memory 54 is an NVRAM, SSD, hard disk, or the like, and retains stored contents even when the computers PC1 to PCm are powered off. The nonvolatile memory 54 controls the CPU 51 as, for example, system setting values and various data used in the information processing method of the present invention as data that must be stored even when the computers PC1 to PCm are turned off. Stored below. In particular, the nonvolatile memory 54 receives and stores the paper list database PD as shown in FIG. 4 from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. The nonvolatile memory 54 stores a history print setting database RD as shown in FIG. The history print setting database RD is a database in which the contents of past print settings are history print settings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, “print date”, “print category”, and a plurality of “paper” "Setting / Paper name" is registered. In FIG. 6, the history print setting database RD shows a state where history print setting data is recorded in the CSV (comma-separated values) format, but is not limited to the CSV format. Further, the history print setting database RD in FIG. 6 extracts only “print date / time”, “print category”, and a plurality of “paper settings / paper names” as data necessary for narrowing down the paper list as history print settings. However, the print settings are not limited to these. For example, in the history print setting database RD, all print settings used in printing including a color profile to be described later may be registered as history print settings.

  An input device 61 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus pen, and a touch panel is connected to the input I / F 55, and the input I / F 55 outputs various commands input from the input device 61 to the CPU 51. In particular, the input device 61 performs a print setting operation using a paper list database PD and a history print setting database RD, which will be described later, and the CPU 51 performs print settings according to the print setting operation operated from the input device 61.

  An output device 62 such as a display, a lamp, and a speaker is connected to the output I / F 56, and the output I / F 56 outputs output data such as display data, blinking data, and audio data to the output device 62 under the control of the CPU 51. Output. In particular, a print setting screen provided by the printer driver is displayed on the display as the output device 62 under the control of the CPU 51.

  The external I / F 57 is detachably mounted with a portable storage medium Mk, and the portable storage medium Mk is an IC, an SD card, a flash memory card, or the like. Various data is written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 51. In particular, the external I / F 57 writes the history print setting database RD to the portable storage medium Mk and stores it under the control of the CPU 51, and reads the history print setting database RD stored in the portable storage medium Mk. It is.

  The computers PC1 to PCm receive the paper list database PD stored in the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn at an appropriate timing.

  The communication I / F 58 is connected to the communication line L and the network NW, and communicates with the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn via the network NW.

  The printing system 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), a DVD ( Information processing method and printing method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a digital versatile disk (USB), a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a secure digital (SD) card, or a magneto-optical disc (MO). Is loaded into the ROM 52 of the computers PC1 to PCm and the ROM 32 of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, so that setting items having a large setting value in the print setting to be described later can be set appropriately for the intended print result. Information processing method and printing for easy selection The information processing apparatus for executing laws is constructed as an image forming apparatus. The program for executing the information processing method and the printing method is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. It can be stored in the recording medium and distributed.

  In the printing system 1, a function block as shown in FIG. 7 is constructed by introducing the information processing method and the program for executing the printing method.

  That is, in the printing system 1, as shown in FIG. 7, functional blocks are constructed in the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn and the computers PC1 to PCm, respectively. In the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, a data storage unit 71 and a data providing unit 72 are constructed. In the computers PC1 to PCm, a data request unit 81, a received data storage unit 82, a history storage unit 83, a print setting interface unit 84, a related print setting value acquisition unit 85, a setting value presentation unit 86, and a history registration unit 87 are constructed. .

  First, functional blocks of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn will be described. The data storage unit 71 is constructed by the nonvolatile memory 34. The data storage unit 71 selects the specific print setting item for the specific print setting value having a large number of attributes set for the print setting value from among the print setting values set for the print setting item. Specific print setting value data in which the attribute is set for each setting value is stored. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the data storage unit 71 stores a paper list database PD in which a paper list is registered as specific print setting value data. Therefore, the data storage unit 71 functions as a data storage unit.

  The data providing unit 72 is constructed by the CPU 31 and the communication I / F 38. In response to a request from the computers PC1 to PCm, which are information processing apparatuses, via the network NW, the data providing unit 72 receives a paper list database PD, which is a specific print setting list database, stored in the data storage unit 71. Provide to PC1-PCm. Therefore, the data providing unit 72 functions as a data providing unit.

  Next, functional blocks of the computers PC1 to PCm will be described. The data request unit 81 is constructed by the CPU 51 and the communication I / F 58, and requests specific print setting value data from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn constituting a part of the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn that are image forming devices. To do. Specifically, the computers PC1 to PCm transmit a data request for requesting the paper list database PD from the communication I / F 58 via the network NW, and are transmitted from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn in response to the data request. The paper list database PD is received. Therefore, the data request unit 81 functions as a data request unit.

  The reception data storage unit 82 is constructed by the nonvolatile memory 54, and stores the paper list database PD provided from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn received by the data request unit 81. Therefore, the reception data storage unit 82 functions as reception data storage means.

  The print setting interface unit 84 is constructed by the CPU 51 and the output device 62, in particular, a display that is one of the output devices 62, and the display is preferably a display with a touch panel. The print setting interface unit 84 provides a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items. Therefore, the print setting interface unit 84 functions as a print setting interface providing unit. Specifically, the print setting interface unit 84 displays a print setting screen on a touch panel display when the CPU 51 executes a printer driver installed in the computers PC1 to PCm, and inputs the print setting screen to the print setting screen. Get the operation result of the operation.

  The history storage unit 83 is constructed by the nonvolatile memory 54, and stores the setting contents of the print setting values for the print setting items in the past printing as history print settings in the format of the history print setting database RD shown in FIG. To do. Therefore, the history storage unit 83 functions as history storage means.

  The related print setting value acquisition unit 85 is constructed by the CPU 51. The related print setting value acquisition unit 85 acquires the related print setting value set in the print setting interface unit 84 for the related print setting item related to the specific print setting item, and passes it to the setting value presentation unit 86. Therefore, the related print setting value acquisition unit 85 functions as a related print setting value acquisition unit.

  The set value presentation unit 86 is constructed by the CPU 51. The setting value presenting unit 86 includes a print setting value registered in both the specific print setting data (paper list database PD) and the history print setting data (history print setting database RD). A print setting value related to the acquired related print setting value (for example, a print category) is acquired as a specific print setting value. The setting value presentation unit 86 causes the print setting interface unit 84 to present the acquired specific print setting item as a candidate for the specific print setting value. Therefore, the set value presentation unit 86 functions as a set value presentation unit.

  The history registration unit 87 is constructed by the CPU 51. When the setting of the print setting value including the specific print setting value for the print setting item provided by the print setting interface unit 84 is confirmed, the history registration unit 87 displays the setting content of the print setting value for the print setting item as the history print setting. Are registered in the history print setting database RD of the history storage unit 83. Accordingly, the history registration unit 87 functions as a history registration unit.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment makes it easy to select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  That is, the printing system 1 transmits a printing request from the computers PC1 to PCm to the printing units Pu1 to Pun, and the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu1 to Pun control the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn based on the printing request. To print.

  In the printing system 1, the user performs setting of print settings included in the print request in this printing together with print data in the computers PC <b> 1 to PCm. The computers PC1 to PCm display a print setting screen on the print setting interface unit 84 to allow the user to make print settings. Specifically, each of the computers PC1 to PCm allows the user to perform print settings by causing the CPU 51 to operate a printer driver installed therein and display a print setting screen using the display of the output device 62. To do.

  In this case, it is difficult for the user to quickly set an appropriate print setting value for a print setting item having a large print setting value, which is troublesome.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1, the DFE devices Df <b> 1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu <b> 1 to Pun store the preset paper list database PD in the data storage unit 71 constructed by the nonvolatile memory 34. When the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn receive a paper list request (data request) from the computers PC1 to PCm, the data providing unit 72 transmits the paper list database PD in the data storage unit 71 to the requesting computers PC1 to PCm. To do.

  Then, the computers PC1 to PCm request the paper list from the data request unit 81 to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn at an appropriate timing. When the data request unit 81 receives the paper list database PD from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the computers PC1 to PCm store the received data storage unit 82 that is the nonvolatile memory 54.

  Further, the computers PC1 to PCm store the history print settings, which are the setting contents of the past print setting values by the user, in the history storage unit 83 which is the nonvolatile memory 54 as the history print setting database RD. Then, the computers PC1 to PCm transfer the received paper list database PD and history print setting database RD to the related print setting items related to the specific print setting items based on the related print setting values set on the print setting screen. Refer to and propose an appropriate specific print setting value.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the specific print setting item is paper (recorded medium), the specific print setting item is paper, and the specific print setting item value is paper type. In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the related print setting item is a print category.

  First, editing processing of the paper list database PD in the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn will be described. When the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn are activated by designating the paper list editing application installed in the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn from the input device 41, the CPU 31 executes the paper list editing application.

  By executing the paper list editing application, the CPU 31 first displays and outputs a paper list editing screen G1 as shown in FIG. 8 on the display of the output device 42, for example. The paper list editing screen G1 is roughly divided into a paper list PL and a paper attribute PZ screen, and further includes an add button (“+” icon) B1, an edit button (pencil icon) B2, and a delete button (trash can icon) B3. Etc. are displayed. The paper list PL is a list of paper registered in the paper list database PD as a specific print setting list stored in the data storage unit 71 which is the nonvolatile memory 34, and includes a paper name, tray, size, weighing, and the like. It consists of list items that specify the paper type. The paper attribute PZ is a detailed attribute of the paper in the paper list selected in the paper list PL, and includes detailed attributes such as a paper name, an outline, a size, a width, and a height.

  The add button B1 is operated to instruct the addition of the paper list PL and the paper attribute PZ to the paper list database PD, and the edit button B2 instructs to edit the paper list PL and the paper attribute PZ of the paper list database PD. When operated. The delete button B3 is operated when instructing to delete the paper list PL and the paper attribute PZ of the paper list database PD. When the delete button B3 is operated while the paper list of the paper list PL is selected on the paper list editing screen G1, the CPU 31 deletes the selected paper list and its paper attribute PZ.

  When the add button B1 or the edit button B2 is operated, the CPU 31 displays a paper attribute setting screen G2 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display of the output device 42 and enables setting of the paper attribute from the input device 41. . The CPU 31 displays attribute items for various paper attributes and attribute value setting fields for the attribute items on the paper attribute setting screen G2, thereby enabling setting of attribute values for the attribute items. The CPU 31 displays an “OK” button and a “Cancel” button on the paper attribute setting screen G2, and when the “OK” button is operated, the set paper attribute is registered in the paper list database PD together with the paper list. Return to the paper list editing screen G1. When the “Cancel” button is operated, the CPU 31 returns to the paper list editing screen G1 without registering and editing the paper attributes and the paper list in the paper list database PD.

  In the state where the paper list database PD is stored in the data storage unit 71 of the DFE apparatuses Df1 to Dfn as described above, the printing system 1 operates the input device 61 by the user in the computers PC1 to PCm to make a print request. Is done.

  In the printing system 1, a print request is made by the computers PC1 to PCm, and a print request including print data and print settings is transmitted from the computers PC1 to PCm to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. In the printing system 1, the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn drive the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn based on the print request to execute printing.

  When the computers PC1 to PCm generate a print request in the print processing, the computer PC1 to PCm generates a print request by incorporating the print settings input from the print setting interface unit 84. When the computer PC1 to PCm transmits the generated print request to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn or receives a print completion response from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the history storage unit sets the print setting contents of the print request as the history print setting. 83 is registered in the history print setting database RD.

  That is, when the computers PC1 to PCm transmit the generated print requests to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, or when there is a print completion response from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, the history registration unit 87 performs the history registration processing shown in FIG. Run. When the print setting using the print setting interface unit 84 is completed and there is a print instruction operation, and the print request is generated by the print setting, the history registration unit 87 acquires the print setting (step S101).

  The history registration unit 87 acquires “print category” and “paper setting / paper name” as print setting item values from the paper settings of the print setting items in the acquired print settings (step S102).

  Further, the history registration unit 87 acquires “print date / time” from the system information of the computers PC1 to PCm (step S103). The “print date / time” is the date / time when a print request is issued from the computers PC1 to PCm to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, or the print date / time described in the print completion notification from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn.

  The history registration unit 87 prints the acquired “print date / time”, “print category”, and “paper setting / paper name” in the history print setting database RD of the history storage unit 83 as shown in FIG. The setting is registered, and the history registration process is terminated (step S104).

  Then, when a print request is generated, the computers PC1 to PCm display the print setting screen by the print setting interface unit 84 to enable setting of print setting values for various print setting items.

  First, a print setting procedure in the computers PC1 to PCm will be described. The computers PC1 to PCm display a print setting screen on the display of the output device 62. When the imposition / bookbinding item is selected on the print setting screen, for example, the imposition / bookbinding print setting as shown in FIG. The screen G3 is displayed on the display. This imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 enables setting of print setting values for imposition / bookbinding which is a print category as one of print setting items. In FIG. 11, “imposition” in the printing category is “bookbinding”, “mini-book / weekly magazine” is the type of bookbinding, “weekly magazine”, and “open direction” are “left open / upper open”. ”,“ Original Direction ”,“ Vertical ”,“ Enlarge / Reduce ”,“ Fit to Print Size ”,“ Centering ”,“ No ”,“ Rotation Angle ”,“ No ”,“ Creep Correction ” , “Paper list” is selected as “Check” and “Selection method” in the check boxes of “Follow printer settings” and “With cover”. In the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 in FIG. 11, the paper list is displayed in the paper list field PLg in the cover paper setting item, the paper selection by the paper list is designated, and the “search by history” check box CB1. Shows an unchecked state. Further, in the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 of FIG. 11, an “update” button B4 is displayed, and the “update” button B4 acquires the paper list database PD from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn to obtain the paper list field. It is operated when displaying on PLg.

  Furthermore, the “search by history” check box CB1 is checked when the history print setting in the history storage unit 83 is also referred to request display of the paper list in the paper list field PLg.

  That is, as will be described later, when the “search by history” check box CB1 is not checked, the setting value presenting unit 86 sets the print category as the related print setting and sets the specific print setting item related to the print category. A paper list for setting a paper type, which is a specific print setting value of a certain paper, is searched only from the paper list database PD stored in the received data storage unit 82 and presented in the paper list column PLg. Then, when the “search by history” check box CB1 is checked, the set value presenting unit 86 stores the paper list searched from the paper list database PD in the history print setting database RD of the history storage unit 83. The obtained paper list is acquired and presented in the paper list column PLg.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3, “imposition” is “bookbinding”, and the type of bookbinding is “mini-book / weekly magazine”, “weekly magazine” When “with cover” is selected, as shown in FIG. 12, the setting value presentation unit 86 narrows down “cover” which is the paper used for weekly magazine printing from the paper list database PD and the history print setting database RD. Then, it displays as a paper list.

  When the paper is selected as the print setting item on the print setting screen, the print setting interface unit 84 displays a paper print setting screen G4 as shown in FIG. In addition to the original size selection field, this paper print setting screen G4 is similar to the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 in FIG. 11, and includes a user setting and paper list selection check box, an “update” button B4, and a paper list field. PLg, a “search by history” check box CB1 and the like are displayed.

  In the paper print setting screen G4, for example, as shown by hatching in FIG. 13, a paper to be used for printing is selected from the paper list displayed in the paper list field PLg.

  The print setting interface unit 84 refers to, for example, a paper list database PD as shown in FIG. 14 based on the print setting value on the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 which is the print category which is the specific print setting item. , “Job paper” is narrowed down and presented in the paper list column PLg.

  The “search by history” check box CB1 is checked when the paper list is displayed in the paper list column PLg with reference to the history print setting as described above. When the “Search by history” check box CB1 is checked, the setting value presentation unit 86, for example, when “Normal” is set on the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 in FIG. A job sheet, which is a sheet used in normal printing, is extracted from the print setting database RD and displayed on the sheet list.

  Further, when an exception page is selected as a print setting item on the print setting screen, the print setting interface unit 84 displays an exception page print setting screen G5 as shown in FIG. In the exception page print setting screen G5, the print setting interface unit 84 displays an exception page list, an exception page paper selection field, and the like. The exception page paper selection field includes a cover paper setting, an insertion paper setting, and an index sheet. Displays the selection items for the default paper setting and exceptional paper setting.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 indicates whether each of the exception pages displayed in the exception page paper selection column (cover sheet, insertion sheet, index sheet, exception sheet) can be set. This is related to the print category. That is, in FIG. 16, when the print category is “normal”, all paper settings are possible, but in “book” “mini-book”, “weekly magazine”, and “speed / repeat” “speed”. Only “exception paper” can be set. In FIG. 16, in “Repeat” of “Speed / Repeat”, paper settings other than “index paper” can be set.

  FIG. 15 shows a state where exception paper selection is selected in the exception page paper selection field. In this state, when the “apply” button indicating selection is operated, the print setting interface unit 84 displays an exceptional paper print setting screen G6 as shown in FIG.

  In the exceptional paper print setting screen G6 shown in FIG. 17, the print setting interface unit 84 displays the exceptional paper list PLa and the “Search by history” check box CB1. The “search by history” check box CB1 is checked when the paper list is displayed in the exceptional paper list column PLa with reference to the history print setting as described above. For example, when “speed” of “speed / repeat” of the print category is set on the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3, the setting value presentation unit 86 is used for speed printing from the history print setting database RD. Extract paper. The setting value presentation unit 86 causes the print setting interface unit 84 to present the extracted paper in the paper list in the exceptional paper list column PLa.

  That is, the print setting interface unit 84 performs the screen shown in FIG. 12 in the print settings on the imposition / bookbinding print setting screen G3 in FIG. 11, the paper print setting screen G4 in FIG. 13, and the exceptional page print setting screen G5 in FIG. A paper list is presented based on the paper list database PD in attachment / bookbinding, the paper list database PD in the job paper of FIG. 14, and the paper list database PD in the exception page of FIG. Specifically, the setting value presentation unit 86 includes a paper list database PD in imposition / bookbinding in FIG. 12, a paper list database PD in job paper in FIG. 14, and a paper list database PD in exceptional pages in FIG. On the basis of the paper list database PD as shown in FIG. 5, the print setting interface unit 84 is caused to present a paper list according to the print category.

  In this case, if the “Search by history” check box CB1 is not checked, the set value presenting unit 86 searches the paper list database PD based on the print category and paper settings that have been set and input. The setting value presentation unit 86 causes the print setting interface unit 84 to display a paper list retrieved from the paper list database PD, for example, a paper list as shown in FIG. 18, in the paper list field PLg of the print setting screens G1 to G6. .

  When the check box CB1 of “Search by history” is checked, the setting values presenting unit 86 sets the paper list database PD based on the set printing category and paper settings. In addition to searching, the history print setting database RD is also searched, and the paper list registered in both sides is displayed on the print setting interface unit 84.

  Specifically, in the computers PC1 to PCm, the history registration unit 87 acquires the history print setting and registers it in the history print setting database RD of the history storage unit 83. Further, the computers PC1 to PCm store the paper list database PD acquired by the data request unit 81 from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn in the received data storage unit 82. The print setting interface unit 84 displays print setting screens G1 to G6 and the like as a print setting interface. The set value presentation unit 86 searches the paper list registered in the paper list database PD based on the print category and paper settings set on the print setting screens G1 to G6, and print settings are displayed in the print setting interface unit 84. It is displayed in the paper list column PLg on screens G1 to G6. Further, when the “search by history” check box CB1 is checked in the print setting screens G1 to G6 displayed by the print setting interface unit 84 as the print setting interface, the setting value presenting unit 86 displays the history storage unit. Reference is also made to the history print setting database RD 83. The set value presentation unit 86 causes the print setting interface unit 84 to present a paper list registered in both the paper list database PD and the history print setting database RD for the set print category and print setting.

  That is, the setting value presentation unit 86 executes a paper list presentation process using the history shown in FIG. 19, extracts a paper list considering the history print setting, and causes the print setting interface unit 84 to present it.

  When the “Search by history” check box CB1 is checked in the print setting screen, the setting value presenting unit 86 acquires the history print setting database RD from the history storage unit 83 as shown in FIG. S201).

  The setting value presentation unit 86 includes paper settings (job paper, cover sheet, insertion paper, index paper, exception paper) and print categories (usually, mini-books, weekly magazines, speed, repeat) input on each print setting screen. The history print setting database RD is searched using the combination of The setting value presentation unit 86 extracts paper that matches the search condition from the history print setting database RD. For example, in the above example, since the print category is “weekly magazine” and the paper setting is “cover”, the setting value presentation unit 86 has a history indicated by an underline in the same history print setting database RD as FIG. The print settings are extracted, and as shown in FIG. 21, the cover sheet “cover” is acquired and used as a sheet list (step S202).

  The paper setting is a setting for the use of a paper on a specific page of a printed matter (printing result) received from the user via a UI (User Interface). For example, in the printing of magazines and the like, different paper settings are often used for each classification such as a cover, a color page inserted in places, and a black and white page. Therefore, in a printer driver of a printer used for commercial printing as in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, each classification (front cover, inserted paper, index paper, exceptional paper, etc.) is printed with one print job. For this purpose, each classification can be set as a separate setting item.

  Next, the setting value presentation unit 86 acquires a paper list of paper that matches the paper acquired from the history print setting database RD from the paper list database PD, for example, creates a paper list as shown in FIG. The data is transferred to the print setting interface unit 84 (step S203).

  The print setting interface unit 84 presents the passed paper list by displaying it on the display (step S204).

  In the above description, a paper list that takes the history into account is created when the user checks the “Search by history” check box CB1. It may be when the “update” button of the list is pressed. In this case, the setting value presenting unit 86 first sets the input paper settings (job paper, cover, insert paper, index paper, exception paper) and the printing category (usually, mini book, weekly magazine, speed, repeat). Using the combination as a search condition, a paper list that satisfies the search condition is created from the paper list database PD. Then, when the “Search by history” check box CB1 is checked, the setting value presentation unit 86 extracts a paper list corresponding to the paper registered in the history print setting database RD from the paper list. Present.

  In the above description, the history print setting database RD is searched and displayed as a paper list. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, since there is a possibility of selecting a new setting item that has not been used so far, setting items that are not included in the history print setting database RD are also displayed at a lower level following the setting items included in the paper list. You may do it.

  In commercial printing, printing is performed for a plurality of printing purposes such as a weekly magazine or a flyer, but it is assumed that the paper (weekly magazine paper, leaflet paper, etc.) used is limited depending on the printing purpose. . On the other hand, since the same print category is assumed to be the same print purpose, the print purpose is limited by the print category.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, paper types that are frequently used in the same print category are displayed at the top of the options, or only paper types that have been used in the same print category are displayed as options. This makes it possible to reduce the time for selecting the paper type according to the printing purpose in the printer driver for commercial printing in which a huge number of paper types are assumed to be registered in the printer driver.

  As described above, the computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment provide a print setting interface unit (print setting interface providing unit) 84 that provides a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items. A specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item among the print setting items. A data request unit (data acquisition unit) 81 acquired as data, and a history storage unit (history storage unit) that stores print setting values set for the print setting items in the print setting interface unit 84 as history print setting data ) 83 and the related print setting item related to the specific print setting item, the print setting interface The related print setting value acquisition unit (related print setting value acquisition unit) 85 for acquiring the related print setting value set in the unit 84, and the print settings registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data Among the values, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and a setting value presenting unit (setting) is displayed on the print setting interface unit 84 as a specific print setting value candidate for the specific print setting item. Value presenting means) 86.

  Accordingly, based on the related print setting items, the specific print setting values registered in the history print setting data as well as the specific print setting data are selected out of a large number of specific print setting values for the specific print setting items. It can be presented as a specific print setting value. As a result, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  The computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment include a print setting interface providing processing step for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items, and among the print setting items. A data acquisition processing step for acquiring, as specific print setting data, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item A history storage processing step of storing the print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface providing processing step in the history storage unit (history storage means) 83 as history print setting data, and the specific printing For the related print setting item related to the setting item, the print setting interface providing process The related print setting value acquisition processing step for acquiring the related print setting value set in the step, and the related print setting among the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data. An information processing method comprising: a set value presentation processing step that acquires the specific print setting value related to a value and presents the specific print setting value as a candidate for the specific print setting item in the print setting interface providing processing step. Run.

  Accordingly, based on the related print setting items, the specific print setting values registered in the history print setting data as well as the specific print setting data are selected out of a large number of specific print setting values for the specific print setting items. It can be presented as a specific print setting value. As a result, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  Furthermore, the computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment provide a print setting interface providing process for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items to a computer such as the CPU 51; Among the print setting items, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are acquired as specific print setting data. Data acquisition processing to be performed, history storage processing for storing the print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface providing processing in the history storage unit (history storage means) 83 as history print setting data, For the related print setting item related to the specific print setting item, the print setting interface providing process Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the related print setting value acquisition process for acquiring the set related print setting value is related to the related print setting value A program for acquiring the specific print setting value and causing the print setting interface providing process to present the specific print setting value as a candidate for the specific print setting item for the specific print setting item is installed.

  Accordingly, based on the related print setting items, the specific print setting values registered in the history print setting data as well as the specific print setting data are selected out of a large number of specific print setting values for the specific print setting items. It can be presented as a specific print setting value. As a result, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  Further, when the setting of the print setting value including the specific print setting value for the print setting item provided by the print setting interface unit 84 is confirmed, the computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment A history registration unit (history registration unit) 87 for registering the print setting value for the print setting item in the history storage unit 83 as the history print setting data is further provided.

  Accordingly, the history print setting data can be automatically updated, and the specific print setting value can be selected and presented with reference to the latest history print setting data. As a result, for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values set in the print setting, it is possible to easily select a more appropriate print setting value depending on the intended print result.

  Furthermore, the computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment further include a print setting interface unit (designating means) 84 for designating the related print setting item to be associated with the specific print setting item, and presenting the setting value The specific print setting based on only the related print setting item value acquired by the related print setting value acquisition unit 85 for the related print setting item specified by the print setting interface unit 84 as the specifying unit. The specific print setting value is acquired from the data and the history print setting data, and presented as a candidate for the specific print setting value.

  Therefore, the specific print setting value can be acquired based on the related print setting item intended by the user and presented as a specific print setting value candidate. As a result, for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values set in the print setting, it is possible to easily select a more appropriate print setting value depending on the intended print result.

  Further, in the computers PC1 to PCm of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the specific print setting item is a sheet that is a recording medium on which an image is printed, and the specific print setting value is a sheet (recorded Medium) and the related print setting item includes at least a print category.

  Therefore, a paper list as a paper type registered in both the history print setting database RD and the paper list database PD can be presented as a paper list for print settings based on the print category. . As a result, it is possible to facilitate the selection of a more appropriate paper type depending on the intended print result for paper setting items having a large number of paper types to be set in the print setting.

  Furthermore, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the computers PC1 to PCm that are information processing apparatuses and the printing units Pu1 to Pun that are image forming apparatuses are connected by a network (communication line) NW, and the computers PC1 to PCm A printing system in which the printing units Pu1 to Pun print an image on a sheet (recorded medium) in response to a print request, and the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu1 to Pun include the print setting items, A specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item, and a data storage unit (data storage) that stores the specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item as specific print setting data Means) 71 and the specific print setting data in response to a request from the computers PC1 to PCm. Data providing unit (data providing means) 72 for providing data to PC1 to PCm, and the computers PC1 to PCm request the specific print setting data to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu1 to Pun. A data requesting unit (data requesting unit) 81, a reception data storage unit (reception data storage unit) 82 for storing the specific print setting data provided from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, and various print setting items. A print setting interface unit (print setting interface providing means) 84 that provides a print setting interface for setting print setting values, and print setting values set for the print setting items in the print setting interface unit 84 are set as history print settings. History storage unit (history storage means) 83 for storing as data, and the identification A related print setting value acquisition unit (related print setting value acquisition unit) 85 that acquires a related print setting value set in the print setting interface unit 84 for the related print setting item related to the print setting item, and the identification Of the print setting values registered in both the print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print setting value for the specific print setting item is acquired. A setting value presenting unit (setting value presenting means) 86 to be presented to the print setting interface unit 84 as candidates.

  Accordingly, based on the related print setting items, the specific print setting values registered in the history print setting data as well as the specific print setting data are selected out of a large number of specific print setting values for the specific print setting items. It can be presented as a specific print setting value. As a result, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, computers PC1 to PCm as information processing apparatuses and printing units Pu1 to Pun as image forming apparatuses are connected by a network (communication line) NW, and the computers PC1 to PCm A printing method in a printing system in which the printing units Pu1 to Pun print an image on a sheet (recorded medium) in response to a printing request, and the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu1 to Pun include the print setting items Among these, the specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and the specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are stored in the data storage unit 71 as specific print setting data. In response to a request from the computer PC1 to PCm and a data storage processing step to be stored, the specific print setting A data provision processing step of providing data to the computers PC1 to PCm, and a data request processing step of requesting the specific print setting data from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn by the computers PC1 to PCm; Reception data storage processing step for storing the specific print setting data provided from the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn in the reception data storage unit 82, and printing for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items A setting interface provision processing step, a history storage processing step for storing the print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface provision processing step in the history storage unit 83 as history print setting data, and the specific printing Related print setting items related to setting items On the other hand, the related print setting value acquisition processing step for acquiring the related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing processing step, and the print setting registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data Among the values, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the set value presentation processing step which is presented in the print setting interface providing processing step as a specific print setting value candidate for the specific print setting item And execute.

  Accordingly, based on the related print setting items, the specific print setting values registered in the history print setting data as well as the specific print setting data are selected out of a large number of specific print setting values for the specific print setting items. It can be presented as a specific print setting value. As a result, it is possible to easily select a print setting value appropriate for an intended print result for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values to be set in the print setting.

  Furthermore, in the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the computers PC1 to PCm determine the setting of the print setting value including the specific print setting value for the print setting item provided by the print setting interface unit 84. A history registration unit (history registration unit) 87 for registering the print setting value for the print setting item as the history print setting data in the history storage unit 83 is further provided.

  Accordingly, the history print setting data can be automatically updated, and the specific print setting value can be selected and presented with reference to the latest history print setting data. As a result, for a print setting item having a large number of print setting values set in the print setting, it is possible to easily select a more appropriate print setting value depending on the intended print result.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the specific print setting item is a sheet that is a recording medium on which an image is printed, and the specific print setting value is a type of the sheet (recording medium). And the related print setting item includes at least a print category.

  Therefore, a paper list as a paper type registered in both the history print setting database RD and the paper list database PD can be presented as a paper list for print settings based on the print category. . As a result, it is possible to facilitate the selection of a more appropriate paper type depending on the intended print result for paper setting items having a large number of paper types to be set in the print setting.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 23 to FIG. 27 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the printing system, the information processing method, the printing method, and the program according to the present invention.

  The present embodiment is applied when the print setting item is a color profile and the print setting item value is color profile information.

  Note that the present embodiment is applied to the same printing system 1 as the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are. I will explain.

  That is, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of printing units Pu1 to Pun and a plurality of computers PC1 to PCm are connected to a network NW, as in FIG.

  The printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun include DFE devices Df1 to Dfn and image output devices Gk1 to Gkn, respectively, and the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn are connected to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn. The DFE devices Df1 to Dfn are connected to the image output devices Gk1 to Gkn by at least one of a wired communication line and a wireless communication line L.

  The printing system 1 reads a program for executing the information processing method and the printing method of the present invention, and introduces them into the ROM 52 of the computers PC1 to PCm and the ROM 32 of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, so that there are many setting values in the print settings. The color profile, which is a setting item, is constructed as an information processing method that makes it easy to select a color profile appropriate for an intended print result, an information processing device that executes the printing method, and an image forming device.

  In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, a function block similar to that in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment is constructed by introducing the information processing method and the program for executing the printing method of the present invention.

  The DFE devices Df1 to Dfn store a color profile database in the nonvolatile memory 34. In the DFE apparatuses Df <b> 1 to Dfn, a user can set a color profile using the input device 41 and register a plurality of color profiles in the color profile database of the nonvolatile memory 34.

  In the case of the printing system 1, the color profile includes an input color profile and an output color profile.

  The input color profile is a color profile applied when color image data handled by the printing system 1 is captured, depending on the device that captures the input color image data and the image type (sRGB, AdobeRGB, AppleRGB, etc.).

  More specifically, the input color profile performs color data conversion from job data to PCS (Profile Connection Space) managed with device-independent colors. Since the color space varies depending on the environment of the created data, an input color profile suitable for each environment is required. Such an input color profile can be created by a user or a vendor. The controller 10 performs color data conversion processing in accordance with the input color profile selected by the driver by the user.

  The output color profile is used to print out color image data with the printing units Pu1 to Pun, according to the printing units Pu1 to Pun, the type of recording medium such as output paper, and the output method (1up printing, bookbinding printing, etc.). Applied color profile.

  More specifically, the output color profile converts color data from the PCS color space to the color spaces of the printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun. Since the color space differs depending on the printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun and paper, a color profile adapted to each is required. Such an output profile can be created by a user or a vendor. The controller 10 performs color data conversion processing according to the output color profile selected by the driver by the user.

  That is, the controller 10 converts color data into PCS using the input color profile for job data. Thereafter, the controller 10 performs conversion processing of the color data from the color space of the PCS to the color spaces of the printing units (image forming apparatuses) Pu1 to Pun in the output color profile using the converted data as input.

  When the input device and file format of color image data are determined for the input color profile, the input color profile to be applied is generally determined. However, appropriate color conversion (color space conversion) may not be obtained due to variations in input devices or the like, and a corrected input color profile may be used. In addition, when an output device, an output destination recording medium type, and an output format are determined, an output file to be applied is generally determined. However, appropriate color conversion may not be obtained due to variations in output devices, recording media, output formats and recording media, and a corrected output color profile may be used.

  That is, the printing system 1 transmits print requests including color image data and print settings from the computers PC1 to PCm to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn of the printing units Pu1 to Pun, and the image output devices Gk1 to Gk1 of the printing units Pu1 to Pun. Print output with Gkn. In color printing, since the format of input image data and the format of output image data are generally different, it is necessary to convert the input image data into output image data. At this time, data conversion between the input image data and the output image data needs to be performed in an appropriate color space. The color profile is used to reproduce an appropriate color in this data conversion.

  Therefore, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment associates a plurality of color profiles with at least the paper type (recording medium type) in the nonvolatile memory 34 of the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, that is, the data storage unit 71. It is stored in list format. This color profile list is a list of color profiles that can be used for printing in the image output apparatuses Gk1 to Gkn connected to the DFE apparatuses Df1 to Dfn that are the storage destinations.

  Further, in the computers PC1 to PCm, when the history registration unit 87 constructed by the CPU 51 completes the print setting using the color profile, the history storage unit constructed by the nonvolatile memory 54 stores the history print setting including the color profile. 83. At this time, the history registration unit 87 stores a history color profile print setting database CD as shown in FIG. 23, for example. The history color profile print setting database CD shown in FIG. , Paper information, output information, input color profile, and output color profile.

  The output information is information in which the type of printing (printing purpose) is classified as in the above-described printing category. As shown in FIG. 23, the output information is, for example, 1up printing in which data for one page of original data is assigned to one surface, bookbinding printing in which the printed paper is folded in two by a post-processing machine, or the like. .

  The paper information is information relating to a recording medium such as paper or film that has been set by a user via a UI (User Interface). As shown in FIG. 23, the paper information is, for example, a paper type (plain paper, recycled paper, coated paper, matte paper, glossy paper, etc.). The sheet information may be the name of the set sheet itself, or may be the attribute of the sheet stored as information related to the set sheet.

  When the print setting is completed, the history registration unit 87 acquires the item value of each item from the print setting and registers it in the history color profile print setting database CD of the history registration unit 87. The history registration process of print setting values including the color profile is the same as the history registration process shown in FIG. 10 except that the items to be acquired and registered are the same, and thus detailed description is omitted. To do.

  Then, the computers PC1 to PCm perform print setting processing using the history color profile print setting database CD as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, the user uses the printer driver in the print setting interface unit 84 of the computers PC1 to PCm to display a print setting screen (step S301). The user designates paper information on the print setting screen (step S302).

  In the computers PC1 to PCm, when the paper information is designated, the setting value presenting unit 86 searches the history color profile print setting database CD based on the designated current paper information and acquires the color profile information (step). S311). The set value presenting unit 86 passes the acquired color profile information to the print setting interface unit 84 and presents it by a method such as displaying on the print setting screen of the display (step S312). The print setting interface unit 84 presents the color profile information by, for example, displaying it as a color profile list on a display.

  Here, FIG. 25 is a front view showing an example of the print setting screen G8 displayed on the display. A print setting screen G8 shown in FIG. 25 is a color profile setting screen displayed in step S312. In the print setting screen G8 shown in FIG. 25, a pull-down menu appears on condition that the ▽ button in “Input profile” included in RGB, CMYK, and Gray is operated. The pull-down menu displays selectable input color profile options acquired in step S311. Items a1, a2, and a3 shown in the print setting screen G8 shown in FIG. 25 are input color profiles selected from the “Input profile” pull-down menu included in RGB, CMYK, and Gray, respectively.

  On the other hand, the print setting screen G8 shown in FIG. 25 shows a state where the output color profile options acquired in step S311 are listed in the pull-down menu m of “Output profile” so as to be selectable. Here, the item selected in the pull-down menu “Output profile” is the output color profile.

  In the above description, the history color profile print setting database CD is searched and displayed as a color profile list. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, since there is a possibility of selecting a new setting item that has not been used so far, setting items not included in the history color profile print setting database CD are also subordinate to the setting items included in the color profile list. You may make it display.

  When the user selects a color profile in response to the presentation of the color profile information in the print setting interface unit 84 (step S303), whether the user specifies paper information (step S302) or issues a print instruction (step S304). Do one of these.

  When the user designates paper information (step S302), the computers PC1 to PCm perform the same processing as described above (steps S311 and S312).

  When the user performs a print instruction after the user selects a color profile (step S304), the computers PC1 to PCm acquire the use count information, the output information, the paper information, and the color profile information, and print the history color profile. It is stored in the setting database CD (step S313). That is, the history registration unit 87 acquires the usage count information, the paper information, the output information, the input color profile, and the output color profile among the set print settings, and the history color profile print setting database in the history storage unit 83. Save to CD. The number-of-uses information is stored by incrementing the number of times of use by one during the process of step S313.

  The computers PC1 to PCm transmit the set print setting information together with the print data as a print request to the DFE devices Df1 to Dfn, request the print, and end the print setting process (step S314).

  In the PC1 to PCm, in the print setting process, the setting value presentation unit 86 performs the color profile selection process shown in FIG.

  When setting of paper and output is performed on the print setting screen of the print setting interface unit 84, the setting value presentation unit 86 acquires paper information and output information and searches the history color profile print setting database CD. (Step S401).

  The setting value presentation unit 86 checks whether a color profile is found (step S402). If the color profile is found (Yes in step S402), the setting value presentation unit 86 checks whether the color profile corresponds to the paper information of the print setting (step S403). . If no color profile is found (No in step S402), the setting value presentation unit 86 proceeds to step S408 as it is.

  If it corresponds to the paper information at step S403 (when Yes at step S403), the setting value presentation unit 86 checks whether the color profile corresponds to the output information of the print setting (step S404).

  If the color profile corresponds to the output information in step S404 (Yes in step S404), the setting value presentation unit 86 obtains information from the history color profile print setting database CD and sets a flag. Stand up (step S405). That is, the setting value presentation unit 86 acquires the color profile information, paper information, and usage count information of the corresponding color profile from the history color profile print setting database CD, and sets a flag. This flag is set when the color profile corresponds to both paper information and output information. If it is not a color profile corresponding to the output information (No in step S404), the setting value presentation unit 86 proceeds to step S408 as it is. When the setting value presentation unit 86 obtains information and sets a flag, the setting value presentation unit 86 rearranges the color profiles (step S408).

  If it is determined in step S403 that paper information is not supported (No in step S403), the setting value presentation unit 86 checks whether the color profile corresponds to the print setting output information (step S406).

  If the color profile corresponds to the output information in step S406 (Yes in step S406), the setting value presentation unit 86 acquires information from the history color profile print setting database CD (step S407). . That is, the setting value presentation unit 86 acquires the color profile information, paper information, and use count of the color profile from the history color profile print setting database CD (step S407). If it is not the color profile corresponding to the output information (No in step S406), the setting value presentation unit 86 proceeds to step S408 as it is. When the setting value presentation unit 86 obtains information, the setting value presentation unit 86 rearranges the color profiles (step S408).

  If the color profile does not correspond to the output information in step S406 (No in step S404), the setting value presentation unit 86 rearranges the color profiles (step S408).

  The set value presenting unit 86 rearranges the color profiles based on whether or not a flag is set, the number of uses, and other items.

  When the color value is rearranged, the setting value presentation unit 86 checks whether or not all the history color profiles in the history color profile print setting database CD have been searched (step S409).

  If all the history color profiles have not been searched in step S409 (when No in step S409), the set value presentation unit 86 returns to step S402 and performs the same processing as above (steps S402 to S409).

  When the search for all the history color profiles is completed in step S409 (Yes in step S409), the setting value presentation unit 86 causes the print setting interface unit 84 to present the color profiles in the rearranged order (step S410). . The print setting interface unit 84 presents the rearranged color profiles by, for example, displaying them in a list format on a display.

  The computers PC1 to PCm perform color profile search using the output information and the paper information as related print items in the print settings described above, but the user appropriately selects the related print items used for the search. Can do. That is, the print setting interface unit 84 displays a color profile search condition setting screen G7 as shown in FIG. 27 on the display, for example, and can set output information and paper information as narrowing settings for the input profile and output profile. And As the input profile narrowing setting item, it is possible to select whether output information is set or nothing is set. As the output profile narrowing setting item, it is possible to select whether paper information is set or nothing is set. That is, the print setting interface unit 84 can set both output information and paper information as a color profile search condition, set one, and neither.

  When only the paper information is set in the search condition setting, the setting value presenting unit 86 specifies the color profile information from the history color profile print setting database CD based only on the paper information. Further, when only the output information is set in the search condition setting, the set value presenting unit 86 specifies the color profile information from the history color profile print setting database CD based only on the output information. Further, if the set value presenting unit 86 is set in both the paper information and the output information in the search condition setting, the set value presenting unit 86 reads the color profile from the history color profile print setting database CD based on both the paper information and the output information. Identify information. Further, if neither the paper information nor the output information is set in the search condition setting, the set value presenting unit 86 does not change the color profile information according to the paper information or the output information, and the information set by the user Always use. Since the input profile search is often specified from the output information, the output information is set as the default setting in the color profile search condition setting screen G7. In many cases, the search for the output profile is specified from the paper information. Therefore, the paper information is set as the default setting in the color profile search condition setting screen G7.

  In commercial printing, different types of color profiles are often used depending on the purpose of printing and the type of paper.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a color profile often used for the same print output information and paper information is displayed at the top, or only color profiles that have been used with the same print output information and paper information are displayed. Display options. This shortens the time for the user to select a color profile according to the printing purpose and paper type in a printer driver for commercial printing in which a huge number of color profiles of several tens or more types are assumed to be registered. be able to.

  As described above, in the printing system 1 and the computers PC1 to PCm according to the present embodiment, the specific print setting item is a color profile, the specific print setting value is color profile information, and the related print setting. The item includes at least one of a print category and paper (recording medium).

  Therefore, the color profile information registered in both the history color profile print setting database CD and the color profile list based on at least one of the print category and the paper is used as the color profile information of many print types. It can be presented as a profile information list. As a result, regarding color profile setting items having a large number of color profile information to be set in the print setting, it is possible to easily select more appropriate color profile information depending on the intended print result.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and the scope of the invention is not deviated. It goes without saying that various changes can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system Pu1-Pun Printing unit PC1-PCm Computer NW Network Df1-Dfn DFE apparatus Gk1-Gkn Image output apparatus 10 Controller 11 Engine part 12 Operation display part 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Nonvolatile memory 25 Network I / F
26 Engine I / F
27 Operation display I / F
28 External I / F
29 Bus 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 Nonvolatile memory 35 Input I / F
36 Output I / F
37 External I / F
38 Communication I / F
39 Bus 41 Input Device 42 Output Device 51 CPU
52 ROM
53 RAM
54 Non-volatile memory 55 Input I / F
56 Output I / F
57 External I / F
58 Communication I / F
59 Bus 61 Input device 62 Output device PD Paper list database RD History print setting database 71 Data storage unit 72 Data providing unit 81 Data request unit 82 Received data storage unit 83 History storage unit 84 Print setting interface unit 85 Related print setting value acquisition unit 86 Setting value presentation part 87 History registration part G1 Paper list edit screen PL Paper list PZ Paper attribute B1 Add button B2 Edit button B3 Delete button G2 Paper attribute setting screen G3 Imposition / bookbinding print setting screen CB1 Check box B4 Update button PLg Paper List field G4 Paper print setting screen G5 Exception page print setting screen G6 Exception paper print setting screen PLa Exception paper list CD history color profile print setting database

JP 2002-044344 A

Claims (12)

A print setting interface providing means for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items;
Among the print setting items, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are used as specific print setting data. Data acquisition means for acquiring;
History storage means for storing print setting values set for the print setting items by the print setting interface providing means as history print setting data;
A related print setting value acquiring unit configured to acquire a related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing unit with respect to the related print setting item related to the specific print setting item;
Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print for the specific print setting item is obtained. Setting value presenting means for presenting the print setting interface providing means as setting value candidates;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus includes:
When the setting of the print setting value including the specific print setting value for the print setting item provided by the print setting interface providing unit is confirmed, the history setting data for the print setting item is used as the history print setting data. History registration means for registering to the storage means,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The information processing apparatus includes:
A designation means for designating the related print setting item associated with the specific print setting item;
In addition,
The set value presenting means includes:
The specific print from the specific print setting data and the history print setting data based only on the related print setting item value acquired by the related print setting value acquisition unit for the related print setting item specified by the specifying unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a setting value is acquired and presented as a candidate for the specific print setting value. The information processing apparatus includes:
The specific print setting item is a recording medium on which an image is printed, and the specific print setting value is a type of the recording medium;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the related print setting item includes at least a print category. The information processing apparatus includes:
The specific print setting item is a color profile, and the specific print setting value is color profile information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related print setting item includes at least one of a print category and a recording medium. An information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line, and the image forming apparatus prints an image on a recording medium in response to a print request from the information processing apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes:
Among print setting items, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are stored as specific print setting data. Data storage means for
Data providing means for providing the specific print setting data to the information processing apparatus in response to a request from the information processing apparatus;
With
The information processing apparatus includes:
Data request means for requesting the specific print setting data to the image forming apparatus;
Received data storage means for storing the specific print setting data provided from the image forming apparatus;
A print setting interface providing means for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items;
History storage means for storing print setting values set for the print setting items by the print setting interface providing means as history print setting data;
A related print setting value acquiring unit configured to acquire a related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing unit with respect to the related print setting item related to the specific print setting item;
Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print for the specific print setting item is obtained. Setting value presenting means for presenting the print setting interface providing means as setting value candidates;
A printing system comprising: The information processing apparatus includes:
When the setting of the print setting value including the specific print setting value for the print setting item provided by the print setting interface providing unit is confirmed, the history setting data for the print setting item is used as the history print setting data. History registration means for registering to the storage means,
The printing system according to claim 6, further comprising: The printing system includes:
The specific print setting item is a recording medium on which an image is printed, and the specific print setting value is a type of the recording medium;
8. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the related print setting item includes at least a print category. The printing system includes:
The specific print setting item is a color profile, and the specific print setting value is color profile information;
8. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the related print setting item includes at least one of a print category and a recording medium. A print setting interface providing processing step for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items;
Among the print setting items, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are used as specific print setting data. Data acquisition processing steps to be acquired;
A history storage processing step of storing the print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface providing processing step in the history storage means as history print setting data;
A related print setting value acquisition processing step for acquiring a related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing processing step for a related print setting item related to the specific print setting item;
Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print for the specific print setting item is obtained. A setting value presentation processing step to be presented in the print setting interface providing processing step as a setting value candidate;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: A printing method in a printing system in which an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line, and the image forming apparatus prints an image on a recording medium in response to a print request from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Among the print setting items, specific print setting items having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting items and specific print setting values set for the specific print setting items are used as specific print setting data. A data storage processing step for storing in the storage means;
A data provision processing step of providing the specific print setting data to the information processing apparatus in response to a request from the information processing apparatus;
Run
The information processing apparatus includes:
A data request processing step for requesting the specific print setting data to the image forming apparatus;
A received data storage processing step of storing the specific print setting data provided from the image forming apparatus in a received data storage unit;
A print setting interface providing processing step for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items;
A history storage processing step of storing the print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface providing processing step in the history storage means as history print setting data;
A related print setting value acquisition processing step for acquiring a related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing processing step for a related print setting item related to the specific print setting item;
Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print for the specific print setting item is obtained. A setting value presentation processing step to be presented in the print setting interface providing processing step as a setting value candidate;
The printing method characterized by performing. On the computer,
A print setting interface providing process for providing a print setting interface for setting print setting values for various print setting items;
Among the print setting items, a specific print setting item having a large number of print setting values set for the print setting item and a specific print setting value set for the specific print setting item are used as specific print setting data. Data acquisition processing to be acquired;
A history storage process for storing a print setting value set for the print setting item in the print setting interface providing process in a history storage unit as history print setting data;
A related print setting value acquisition process for acquiring a related print setting value set in the print setting interface providing process for a related print setting item related to the specific print setting item;
Of the print setting values registered in both the specific print setting data and the history print setting data, the specific print setting value related to the related print setting value is acquired, and the specific print for the specific print setting item is obtained. A setting value presenting process to be presented in the print setting interface providing process as a setting value candidate;
A program characterized by having executed.

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