JP2019164447A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow the use of a specific function allowing second information to be inputted after setting of first information about generation of image forming data, even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot be operated.SOLUTION: A computer device transmits print data for forming an image, to a printer 3 and comprises: a print setting unit 34a which displays a setting UI allowing first information (paper setting and paper ejection setting) about generation of print data to be set, during the execution of an application 32 acquired from an application server 4; and a drawing unit 33d which requests an OS 31 to open a pop-up file 43 having a specific extension preliminarily registered with the OS 31 after setting of the first information. The print setting unit 34a displays a pop-up UI 60 allowing second information (password) to be inputted, in response to opening of the pop-up file 43, and the driving unit 33d requests the printer 3 to perform processing, on the basis of the second information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an image forming system.

In a printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus, setting of various items related to printing (hereinafter referred to as print settings) is performed by using a user interface of a printer driver installed in a computer apparatus, and a print start instruction is issued. We accept.
Some printer drivers have a function of accepting a print setting change or accepting a password after accepting a print start instruction. This function corresponds to a specific function capable of inputting the second information after setting the first information related to the generation of the image formation data according to a user instruction.
In Patent Document 1, a printer driver that controls a printer and a print setting holding module that holds print settings are installed in a computer apparatus (PC). The print setting unit of the printer driver causes the print setting holding module to hold the print settings in response to a print start instruction. The drawing unit of the printer driver acquires the print setting from the print setting holding module after generating the print command and print data after the print start instruction. With this configuration, the computer apparatus of Patent Document 1 can change the print settings after the print start instruction and before the generation of the print command and the like, and the changed print settings can be reflected in printing. it can.

Among application programs (hereinafter simply referred to as applications) that cause an image forming apparatus to form an image, there is a specific application provided from a specific application server for the purpose of enhancing security. For example, when using Windows (registered trademark, same hereinafter) of Microsoft (registered trademark, same hereinafter) as an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), it is specified from a Windows store as a specific application server. A Windows store application (hereinafter simply referred to as a store application), which is an application, is provided.
Non-specific applications other than the specific application may be installed in the computer device. The non-specific application is an application that is not supplied from a specific application server, such as being installed through a storage medium such as an optical disk.
Since a specific application and a non-specific application can be installed in the computer device, the printer driver includes a module corresponding to each of the specific application and the non-specific application.

The specific application has restrictions on the OS, and the above-mentioned specific function needs to be activated via a non-specific application that can communicate with an external module even when a module corresponding to the specific application is used. was there.
Therefore, the above-mentioned specific function cannot be used in a computer device that cannot operate a non-specific application.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to set the second information after setting the first information related to the generation of image forming data even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot operate. It is to make it possible to use a specific function capable of inputting the information.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that transmits image forming data for forming an image to an image forming apparatus, and executes a specific application acquired from the specific information processing apparatus. A first display unit capable of setting first information relating to generation of the image formation data, and a specific extension registered in advance in an operating system for performing device management after the first information is set First request means for requesting the operating system to open the specific file, second display means that is activated when the specific file is opened and is capable of inputting second information, and the second And second request means for requesting the image forming apparatus to perform processing based on the above information.

  According to the present invention, even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot operate, a specific function capable of inputting the second information after setting the first information related to the generation of the image formation data can be used.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer apparatus which the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention has. It is a functional block diagram of the computer apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of setting UI. It is a figure showing an example of the pop-up UI for password input. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the correspondence of an application, a store device application, and a file extension. It is a conceptual diagram explaining an example of the setting screen of a regular application. It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the file name of a pop-up file, and the information stored in a pop-up file. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the relationship between each print setting part, prohibition script part, drawing part, and accessible storage area. It is a figure explaining the sequence at the time of printing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .

<Configuration of printing system 1>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A printing system (image forming system) 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a computer device (information processing device) 2, a printer (image forming device) 3, and an application server (specific information processing device) 4. In the printing system 1, the computer apparatus 2, the printer 3, and the application server 4 are communicably connected via a communication line L.
The computer apparatus 2 can perform printing using the printer 3 connected via the communication line L. Further, the computer device 2 can download the application 32 (see FIG. 3) from the application server 4 connected via the communication line L. The computer device 2 will be described later.
The printer 3 is an apparatus that performs printing based on print data transmitted from the computer apparatus 2 and is an example of an image forming apparatus. As the printing method of the printer 3, various printing methods including an ink jet method and an electrophotographic method are used. In the present embodiment, the printer 3 is described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to the printer 3. In addition to the printer 3, the image forming apparatus includes various apparatuses having a printing function, such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine.

The application server 4 provides an application (specific application) 32 managed by the administrator of the application server 4. For example, when Windows is used as the OS 31 (see FIG. 3) of the computer apparatus 2, the application server 4 corresponds to a Windows store that provides a store application.
The communication line L is an information communication network including the Internet and a local area network, and may be wired or wireless.

<Computer apparatus 2>
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the computer apparatus 2 included in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer apparatus 2 has the same configuration as a general information processing terminal. That is, the computer apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an external I / F (Interface) 14, a communication I / F ( Interface) 15, input control unit 16, display control unit 17, and storage device 18, and these units are connected via a bus B so that information can be transmitted and received.
The CPU 11 is a calculation means and controls the overall operation of the computer device 2. The ROM 12 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium, and stores a computer program (hereinafter referred to as a program) such as firmware. The RAM 13 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 11 processes information.

The external I / F 14 is an interface with the external device 5. The external device 5 is, for example, a device that writes information to or reads information from a storage medium. Examples of the storage medium include a flexible disk, a flash memory, an optical disk, and a hard disk drive. The CPU 11 can read and write information from and to the storage medium via the external I / F 14.
The communication I / F 15 is an interface for connecting to the communication line L. The communication I / F 15 only needs to be connected to the communication line L. For example, the communication I / F 15 supports a wired LAN (Local Area network) corresponding to 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, and 1000Base-T, and 802.11a / b / g / n. The wireless LAN interface is used.

The input device 6 is connected to the input control unit 16. The input device 6 is a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation by the user. The input control unit 16 receives an input signal output from the input device 6.
A display device 7 is connected to the display control unit 17. The display device 7 is a device that displays various images, for example, a liquid crystal display. The CPU 11 receives print settings (settings related to image formation) by the user via the visual user interface displayed on the display device 7, and performs a print execution request operation and a password (second information) input operation ( Input operation by the user). The display control unit 17 outputs a display signal corresponding to the image to be displayed on the display device 7 to the display device 7.
The storage device 18 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information such as a hard disk drive device, and stores various programs such as the OS 31, the application 32, and the printer driver 33 shown in FIG. These programs are provided by being recorded on a storage medium, or distributed by being downloaded from various software distribution servers including the application server 4 via the communication line L. The functions realized by various programs stored in the storage device 18 will be described later.

<Functional Block of Computer Device 2>
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the computer apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram of FIG. 3 is realized by, for example, reading various programs stored in the storage device 18 by the CPU 11 of the computer device 2, developing the programs in the RAM 13, and executing them. Note that some or all of the units described in the functional blocks in FIG. 3 may be realized by a program or a hardware circuit.
In the computer apparatus 2, an OS 31 operates, and an application 32, a printer driver 33, a store device application 34, and a communication unit 38 operate on the OS 31. Furthermore, a property bag 35, a user directory 36, and a unique area 37 are set in the computer device 2.
The OS 31 in this embodiment is, for example, Windows, and is an edition in which the installable application 32 is limited. For example, only an application (specific application) 32 such as a store application provided from the application server 4 can be installed. The application 32 is, for example, document creation software, spreadsheet software, or a browser (web browser). The printer driver 33 is driver software for controlling the printer 3 connected to the computer apparatus 2, and is, for example, a V4 (Windows Version 4) printer driver. The store device application (specific application) 34 is a DCA (Device Companion Application) and is provided from the application server 4 in the same manner as the application 32. The property bag 35, the user directory 36, and the unique area 37 are information storage areas. The communication unit 38 controls communication performed via the communication line L. Accordingly, communication with the printer 3 and communication with the application server 4 are controlled via the communication unit 38.

<About the printer driver 33>
Next, an example of the printer driver 33 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 33 includes a print setting unit (desktop UI) 33a, a prohibition script unit 33c, and a drawing unit 33d.
The print setting unit 33a is a module for managing print settings used for printing, such as the number of copies, double-sided, aggregation, bookbinding, and scaling. The print setting unit 33a cannot be used from the application (store application) 32, but is used by an application other than the store application (non-specific application having a different type from the specific application). The print setting unit 33a includes a display unit 33b that provides a setting UI (third display means, User Interface) for displaying print settings to the user and receiving changes in print settings from the user. .

Since the printer driver 33 includes the print setting unit 33a, a printer is installed between an OS 31 that can install a store application but cannot install a non-specific application, and another OS that can install both the store application and the non-specific application. The module of the driver 33 can be shared.
The prohibition script unit 33c is a script program that controls various prohibition settings in the printing process.
The drawing unit 33d receives image data (for example, an XPS file) to be printed from the OS 31, performs drawing processing (for example, PDL (Page Description Language) conversion) according to print settings, and generates print data that can be interpreted by the printer 3. It is a module. In addition, the drawing unit 33d (second request unit) transmits the generated print data to the printer 3.

<About store device application 34>
Next, an example of the store device application 34 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the store device application 34 includes a print setting unit (store UI) 34a. The print setting unit 34 a is a module for managing print settings, like the print setting unit 33 a of the printer driver 33. The print setting unit 34 a is activated during execution of the application (store application) 32. The print setting unit 34a displays a setting UI 50 (first display means, see FIG. 4) included in the store UI, or displays a pop-up UI 60 (second display means, see FIG. 5) also included in the store UI. The display part 34b to display is included. The setting UI 50 is displayed, for example, when setting paper settings or paper discharge settings (first information) or when receiving a print instruction by the user, and the pop-up UI 60 is, for example, a password after receiving the print instruction. Displayed when (second information) is entered.
Whether or not to display the pop-up UI 60 is set by the setting UI 50. For example, the setting UI 50 has setting items that allow selection of whether or not to display the pop-up UI 60. This setting item is enabled when the pop-up UI 60 is displayed. Accordingly, the print instruction output by the print setting unit 34a includes information indicating “display pop-up UI 60”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting UI 50 displayed on the display unit 34b of the print setting unit 34a.
In the setting UI 50 illustrated in FIG. 4, the item-specific setting tab 51 is selected. When the item setting tab 51 is selected, the current setting 52 is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the menu item 53 is displayed on the right side of the current setting 52.

  In the current setting 52, the current setting contents of the document size 52a, the printing paper size 52b, and the scaling factor 52c are displayed. A setting content list button 54 is displayed below the magnification 52c. When the setting content list button 54 is pressed with a mouse cursor or the like (in the following description, simply described as “pressing the button”), the current setting content is displayed in a list.

In the menu item 53, a plurality of items such as a printing method / authentication 53a, basic 53b, paper 53c,..., Paper discharge setting 53d,. In the display example of FIG. 4, the paper discharge setting 53d is selected, and the paper discharge destination 53f, the sort 53g, and the like are displayed as small items.
In the lower right part of the print settings, an OK button 55a, a cancel button 55b, an apply button 55c, and a help button 55d are displayed. The OK button 55a is pressed to confirm the setting contents and close the screen. In the present embodiment, when the OK button 55a is pressed, the setting UI 50 displays a screen for instructing execution of printing. A print button is displayed on the screen. When the print button is pressed, a print instruction (image formation request operation) is accepted, and information to that effect is output to the OS 31. The cancel button 55b is pressed when the screen is closed without confirming the setting contents. When the cancel button 55b is pressed, the previous print settings are maintained. The apply button 55c is pressed when updating the setting contents without closing the screen. When the apply button 55c is pressed, the print settings at the time of pressing are updated. The help button 55d is pressed when displaying help.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a password input pop-up UI 60 displayed on the display unit 34b of the print setting unit 34a.
In the pop-up UI 60 illustrated in FIG. 5, a user ID setting format 61a, a user ID input field 61b, a password input field 61c, an OK button 62a, a cancel button 62b, and a help button 62c are displayed. Yes.
The current value of the user ID setting format is displayed in the user ID setting format 61a. In the example of FIG. 5, “arbitrarily set” is displayed as the current value. The user ID input field 61b displays the user ID input by the user. In the password input field 61c, the password input by the user is displayed as a symbol (hidden character) or the like.
The OK button 62a is pressed to confirm the input contents and close the screen. As the OK button 62a is pressed, the user ID and password are held in the user directory 36. The cancel button 65b is pressed to close the screen without holding the input content in the user directory 36. The help button 62c is pressed when displaying help.

  In the present embodiment, the pop-up UI 60 is activated when the drawing unit 33d (first request unit) requests the OS 31 to open a specific file having a specific extension. Specifically, the pop-up UI 60 is activated by the print setting unit 34a of the store device application 34 (specific application).

<Correspondence Relationship between Application 32 and Store Device Application 34 in OS 31 and File Extension>
Next, a correspondence relationship between the application 32 and the store device application 34 in the OS 31 and the file extension will be described. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the application 32, the store device application 34, and the file extension.
In the OS 31, the application 32 and a file extension are associated in advance. For example, the extension “.txt” is used for the text file (txt file) 41. The text file 41 is associated with the text editor 32 a by the OS 31. Accordingly, when the OS 31 is requested to open the text file 41, the text editor 32a is activated and the text file 41 can be edited. The text file (txt file) 41 has an extension “.txt”.
The bitmap file 42 is associated with the graphic editor 32b by the OS 31. Therefore, when the OS 31 is requested to open the bitmap file 42, the graphic editor 32b is activated and the bitmap file 42 can be edited.

The specific file for activating the pop-up UI 60 is, for example, a pop-up file (popup file) 43 having a specific extension “.popup”. In the OS 31, it is registered in advance that the pop-up file 43 and the print setting unit 34 a are associated with each other. For example, the printer vendor (developer) determines an extension character string to be associated when registering (releasing) the store device application (specific application) 34 in the application server 4. The OS 31 refers to information necessary for downloading and installing the store device application 34 from the application server 4 (information included in the information downloaded from the application server 4), and registers the relationship between the extension and the store application. To do.
Accordingly, when the OS 31 is requested to open the pop-up file 43, the print setting unit 34a is activated and the pop-up UI 60 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the drawing unit 33d of the printer driver 33 requests the opening of the pop-up file 43. The application name of the print setting unit 34a is “driver utility”.

The OS 31 can set a prescribed application for each file type. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen 70 for a prescribed application. In the setting screen 70 of FIG. 7, a combination 71 indicating that the text editor 32 a is set as the prescribed application for the text file 41 is described. Similarly, a combination 72 that the graphic editor 32b is set as the prescribed application for the bitmap file 42 and that the driver utility (print setting unit 34a) is associated as the prescribed application for the pop-up file 43, 73 is described.
In the present embodiment, the prescribed application for the text file 41 can be associated with an application 32 other than the text editor 32a, and the prescribed application for the bitmap file 42 can be associated with an application 32 other than the graphic editor 32b. it can.
The pop-up file 43 having a specific extension is a file dedicated to the print setting unit 34a (driver utility). In other words, the specific extension is an extension dedicated to the print setting unit 34a (specific application). Accordingly, the pop-up file 43 can be associated only with the driver utility (print setting unit 34a).

<About the pop-up file 43>
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the file name of the pop-up file 43 and information stored in the pop-up file 43.
As shown in FIG. 8, the pop-up file 43 of the present embodiment includes a first pop-up opened by the print setting unit 34 a (pop-up UI 60) when the drawing unit 33 d of the printer driver 33 requests the OS 31 to open the file. There are a file 43a and a second pop-up file 43b that is activated by the print setting unit 34a after the pop-up UI 60 is closed.
The file names of the first pop-up file 43a and the second pop-up file 43b include a job ID determined by the OS 31 (a character string that can identify a job related to image formation). The job name is determined by the OS 31 when the setting UI 50 receives a print instruction (image formation request operation). In the example of FIG. 8, “Job_0002” is determined as the job ID. Accordingly, the file name of the first pop-up file 43a is “Job_0002_.popup”, and the file name of the second pop-up file 43b is “Job_0002_”.

  As described above, since the print setting unit 34a (popup UI 60) opens, the first pop-up file 43a is added with “.popup” as an example of a specific extension. On the other hand, the second pop-up file 43b is read by the drawing unit 33d when the drawing unit 33d performs the drawing process (PDL conversion) and is not opened by the print setting unit 34a. Not.

The file of the first pop-up file 43a describes settings necessary for the print setting unit 34a to display the pop-up UI 60. For example, the print settings set by the setting UI 50 before the print instruction and the current state of the printer 3 are described. On the other hand, the contents set by the pop-up UI 60 are also described in the second pop-up file 43b. For example, a user ID and a password are additionally described.
In FIG. 8, the file contents are described as character strings, but the file contents may be data (structures) stored in the memory.

<Storage location of application 32 and store device application 34>
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the print setting units 33a and 34a, the prohibition script unit 33c, and the drawing unit 33d and accessible storage areas (property bag 35 to unique area 37).
The property bag 35 includes a driver property bag 35a, a queue property bag 35b, and a user property bag 35c. The driver property bag 35a is a storage area in which information can only be read by the printer driver 33. The queue property bag 35b is a storage area that allows both reading and writing of information by the printer driver 33 (writing depends on authority). The user property bag 35c is a storage area in which both reading and writing of information by the printer driver 33 are possible. The user directory 36 is a storage area that becomes a current working directory when the user logs in. The unique area 37 is a storage area in which information of a uniquely determined format can be stored.

The print setting unit (desktop UI) 33 a can access the property bag 35, the user directory 36, and the unique area 37. The print setting unit (store UI) 34 a can access the property bag 35 and the user directory 36 and cannot access the unique area 37. The forbidden script 33 c can access the property bag 35 and cannot access the user directory 36 and the unique area 37. Similar to the print setting unit (desktop UI) 33a, the drawing unit 33d can access the property bag 35, the user directory 36, and the unique area 37. Furthermore, the drawing unit 33d can access a directory in which the applications 32 and 34 are installed.
In the application 32 and the store device application 34 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the application 32 or the like) provided from the application server 4, the print setting unit 34 a is used when printing on the printer 2. Therefore, the area for storing the first pop-up file 43a and the second pop-up file 43b (hereinafter collectively referred to as the first pop-up file 43a and the like) is limited to an area accessible from the print setting unit 34a.

For example, the first pop-up file 43a and the like can be stored in the directory in which the application 32 and the like are installed or the user directory 36. The first pop-up file 43a and the like may be stored in the property bag 35 (user property bag 35c). The first pop-up file 43a and the like may be stored directly in the storage area (as a file), or a temporary directory may be created and stored in the temporary directory.
The drawing unit 33d may access the pop-up files 43a and 43b from a predetermined storage location, or may search the storage location of the pop-up files 43a and 43b.

<About the sequence during printing>
Next, a sequence during printing will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sequence during printing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When the user issues a print instruction via the setting UI 50 (see FIG. 4) during execution of the application 32 (S1), the application 32 instructs the OS 31 to display a UI according to the print instruction (S2). The OS 31 instructs the print setting unit (store UI) 34a to display a UI corresponding to the print instruction (S3). The print setting unit 34a (first request unit) outputs a print instruction to the OS 31 (S4), and the OS 31 outputs a print instruction to the application 32 (S5).
The application 32 that has received the print instruction outputs a print request to the OS 31 (S11), and the OS 31 outputs a print request to the drawing unit 33d (S12). The drawing unit 33d determines whether the pop-up UI 60 needs to be displayed (S13). This determination is made based on the print instruction output by the print setting unit 34a in step S4. For example, when the print instruction includes information indicating “display pop-up UI 60”, the drawing unit 33d determines that the pop-up UI 60 needs to be displayed.

If it is determined that the pop-up UI 60 needs to be displayed, the drawing unit 33d generates the pop-up file 43 (first pop-up file 43a) by describing the necessary print settings (S14). The store device application 34 is stored in the installed directory (S15).
The drawing unit 33d requests the OS 31 to open the pop-up file 43 (S16, S17). The OS 31 requests the print setting unit 34a to activate the pop-up UI 60 (S18). The print setting unit 34a acquires a necessary installation value from the pop-up file 43 and displays the pop-up UI 60 on the display device 7 (S19). When the setting by the pop-up UI 60 is completed, the print setting unit 34a stores the pop-up file 43 (second pop-up file 43b) describing the setting result in the user directory 36 (S20). Thereafter, the print setting unit 34a notifies the OS 31 that the pop-up file 43 has been saved (S21).

With the notification from the print setting unit 34a to the OS 31, the drawing unit 33d acquires the pop-up file 43 from the user directory 36 (S31), performs password authentication, and then uses the setting value described in the pop-up file 43. Print data is generated (S32). For example, the drawing unit 33d performs drawing processing (PDL conversion) on pre-conversion data (XPS data) acquired via the OS 31 based on the setting value of the pop-up file 43, and generates print data. The drawing unit 33d transmits the generated print data to the printer 2 (S33).
The drawing unit 33d receives a print end notification from the printer 3 (S41), and transmits a print end notification to the OS 31 (S42). The OS 31 transmits a print end notification to the application 32 (S43), and the application 32 notifies the user of the print end (S44).

  As described above, in the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user is requested to input a password after the print instruction (S1) by the setting UI 50 (S13), the drawing unit 33d pops up the necessary print settings. The file 43 is described and saved (S15), and the OS 31 is requested to open the pop-up file 43 (S16). Based on the specific extension (.popup) of the pop-up file 43, the OS 31 requests the print setting unit 34a to start the pop-up UI 60 associated with the specific extension in advance (S18). After the password or the like is input via the pop-up UI 60, the print setting unit 34a saves the pop-up file 43 describing the password or the like in the user directory 36. The drawing unit 33d (second request unit) acquires a password or the like from the pop-up file 43 (S31). If the password or the like is correct, print data is generated and transmitted to the printer 3 (S32 and S33).

  Therefore, even if the OS 31 is an edition in which only the application 32 provided from the application server 4 can be installed, the password can be input via the pop-up UI 60.

<About modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the application server 4 may be other than the Windows store as long as it provides a specific application under the management of the administrator. Therefore, it can be applied to a specific application other than the store application.
In the above-described embodiment, the OS 31 exemplifies an edition in which the application (store application) 32 can be installed but a non-specific application cannot be installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention may be applied to a case where the pop-up UI 60 by the print setting unit (store UI) 34a is displayed in an OS (under the environment) in which each of the specific application and the non-specific application can operate.
In the above-described embodiment, the pop-up UI 60 (store UI) is displayed by the print setting unit 34a of the store device application 34, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, an application for displaying the pop-up UI 60 may be configured to be provided alone as the application 32 described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the pop-up file 43 includes a job ID as a file name and describes setting contents necessary for displaying the pop-up UI 60 in the file. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the file name of the pop-up file 43 may be constituted by a model name, an option, a current setting value (argument), and the like.
Regarding the data for the pop-up UI 60, the storage location and transmission method are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the contents of the pop-up file 43 are empty (for example, null data), the setting values necessary for the user directory 36 and the registry of the OS 31 are stored in association with the specific identifier, and the pop-up UI 60 displays the user directory 36 and the OS 31. Necessary information may be acquired from the registry.

  Moreover, regarding the pop-up file 43, a previously created file may be updated, or may be generated as necessary and deleted when it becomes unnecessary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pop-up UI 60 is exemplified to input a password or the like. For example, the items set on the setting UI 50 may be reset by the pop-up UI 60.

[Summary of Embodiments of the Present Invention and Summary of Functions and Effects]
<First embodiment>
The information processing apparatus (computer apparatus 2) according to this aspect is an information processing apparatus that transmits image formation data (print data) for forming an image to the image forming apparatus (printer 3), and is a specific information processing apparatus ( A first display unit (setting UI 50) capable of setting first information (paper setting, paper discharge setting) relating to generation of the image formation data during execution of the specific application (application 32) acquired from the application server 4). ), And after the first information is set, first request means (drawing) that requests the operating system to open a specific file having a specific extension registered in advance in an operating system that performs device management. Part 33d) and the second information (password) that can be input when the specific file is opened And display means (pop UI60), and a second request means for requesting the processing by the image forming apparatus based on the second information (drawing unit 33d), characterized in that it comprises a.
According to the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot operate, the specific function that allows the second information to be input after setting the first information related to the generation of the image formation data is used. it can.

<Second embodiment>
In the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the second display unit is activated by the specific application.
According to the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the specific function can be used even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot operate.

<Third embodiment>
In the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the specific extension is an extension dedicated to the specific application.
According to the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the relationship between the specific application and the specific extension is clarified.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the first display unit can receive a request operation related to image formation, and the operating system has received the request operation related to the image formation by the first display unit. Accordingly, a character string capable of identifying a job related to image formation is determined, and the specific file includes the character string in a file name.
According to the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the relationship between the job and the specific file becomes clear.

<Fifth embodiment>
In the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, the third display means (desktop UI) that can set the first information during execution of a non-specific application (an application other than the store application) that is different from the specific application is provided. It is characterized by providing.
According to the information processing apparatus according to this aspect, a module can be shared between an OS that can install a specific application but cannot install a non-specific application and another OS that can install both the specific application and the non-specific application. .

<Sixth embodiment>
The information processing apparatus according to this aspect is an information processing method by an information processing apparatus that transmits image formation data for forming an image to the image forming apparatus, and during execution of a specific application acquired from the specific information processing apparatus, A step of activating a first display means capable of setting first information relating to generation of the image formation data; and a specific extension registered in advance in an operating system for performing device management after the first information is set A step of requesting the operating system to open a specific file having a child, a step of starting a second display means capable of inputting second information in accordance with the opening of the specific file, and the second And a step of requesting the image forming apparatus to perform processing based on the above information.
According to the information processing method according to this aspect, even in an environment where a non-specific application cannot operate, the specific function that allows the second information to be input after setting the first information related to the generation of the image formation data is used. it can.

<Seventh embodiment>
A program according to this aspect causes a computer to execute each step in the information processing method according to the sixth embodiment.
According to the program which concerns on this aspect, there exists an effect similar to a 6th embodiment.

<Eighth embodiment>
An image forming system according to this aspect includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments and an image forming apparatus.
The image forming system according to this aspect has the same operational effects as the first to fifth embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system (image forming system), 2 ... Computer apparatus (information processing apparatus), 3 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 4 ... Application server (specific information processing apparatus), 31 ... Operating system (OS), 32 ... Application (specific application) 33 ... Printer driver 34 ... Store device application (specific application) 35 ... Property bag 36 ... User directory 37 ... Unique area 38 ... Communication unit 43 ... Pop-up file (popup file) 50 ... UI for setting (first display means), 60 ... Pop-up UI (second display means)

JP 2010-66876 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus that transmits image forming data for forming an image to an image forming apparatus,
First display means capable of setting first information relating to generation of the image formation data during execution of the specific application acquired from the specific information processing apparatus;
First request means for requesting the operating system to open a specific file having a specific extension registered in advance in an operating system that performs device management after the first information is set;
A second display means that is activated when the specific file is opened and is capable of inputting second information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a second request unit that requests the image forming apparatus to perform processing based on the second information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second display unit is activated by the specific application.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specific extension is an extension dedicated to the specific application. The first display means can accept a request operation related to image formation;
The operating system determines a character string that can identify a job related to image formation when the first display unit receives a request operation related to image formation.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific file includes the character string in a file name.   5. The information according to claim 1, further comprising third display means capable of setting the first information during execution of a non-specific application of a type different from the specific application. Processing equipment. An information processing method by an information processing apparatus for transmitting image formation data for forming an image to an image forming apparatus,
Activating a first display unit capable of setting first information relating to generation of the image formation data during execution of the specific application acquired from the specific information processing apparatus;
After the first information is set, requesting the operating system to open a specific file having a specific extension registered in advance in an operating system that performs device management;
Activating second display means capable of inputting second information in association with opening of the specific file;
And a step of requesting the image forming apparatus to perform processing based on the second information.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step in the information processing method according to claim 6.   An image forming system comprising: the information processing apparatus according to claim 1; and an image forming apparatus.

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