JP2021196702A - Print controller, print control method and print control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a print controller that eliminates useless registration of driver setting Ds by a user.SOLUTION: In an image formation system 2, a printer driver 33 of an information processor 1 includes: a driver setting unit 34 that receives input of driver setting Ds that specifies a print function setting value; and a driver setting check unit 35 that determines whether or not new driver setting can be registered by comparing new driver setting input by the driver setting unit 34 with predetermined information 50. For whether or not new driver settings can be registered, duplicate registration is determined by comparing registered driver setting with a saved driver setting table 50, or the suitability of registration is determined by comparing the registered driver setting with a print function table that stores a function of an image formation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a print control device that generates print data based on driver settings.

Conventionally, there has been an invention in which a print control device in which a user registers a driver setting has a function of displaying and changing the set value of a print attribute that is changed from the standard driver setting (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-22415). See Gazette (Patent Document 1)).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-22415

However, the conventional print control device has a problem that driver settings that do not need to be registered are unnecessarily registered.
In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device that suppresses unnecessary registration of driver settings that do not need to be registered by the user and makes the driver setting registration operation easier to understand. It is something to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the print control device according to the present invention predetermines a driver setting input means that accepts an input of a driver setting that specifies a setting value of a print function, and a new driver setting that is received by the driver setting input means. It is characterized by comprising a registration possibility determination means for determining whether or not the new driver setting can be registered by comparing with the information of the above.

According to the present invention, since the registration propriety determination means for determining whether or not the new driver setting can be registered by comparing with the predetermined information before registering the new driver setting is provided, the user can uselessly set the driver. It is possible to provide a print control device that prevents registration and makes the registration operation of driver settings easier to understand.

It is a block diagram of the image formation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the functional block of the image formation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the driver setting table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the image formation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen view of the application setting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen view of the print setting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the overlap registration determination and warning of the driver setting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen diagram of the driver setting registration which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen view of the duplicate registration warning about the 1st Embodiment. It is a screen diagram of the driver setting management which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen diagram of the driver setting import which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a screen diagram of the driver setting export which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the functional block of the image formation system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the additionable printing function table which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the image formation system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of nonconformity registration warning and avoidance selection of a driver setting which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a screen diagram of the nonconformity registration warning and avoidance selection regarding the second embodiment.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the first embodiment, which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described. In the drawings, the elements common to each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals.
First, the configuration of the image forming system 2 as a print control system will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 2 as a print control system includes an information processing apparatus 1 and an image forming apparatus 3, and the image forming apparatus 3 prints based on the print data 80 generated by the information processing apparatus 1. For this purpose, the image forming system 2 is configured to connect the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 via the network 4.

The network 4 is composed of a wired interface by LAN (Local Area Network). The network 4 may be a wireless interface by wireless LAN, or may be a wired interface by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.
The information processing apparatus 1 is configured by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), and the printer driver 33 (FIG. 2) generates print data 80 based on the driver setting Ds described later input by the user, and causes the image forming apparatus 3 to generate print data 80. Send and print. For this purpose, the information processing device 1 includes a terminal control unit 10, a display device 11, an input device 12, a terminal communication unit 13, and a terminal storage unit 14.

The terminal control unit 10 is composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls each of the above units. The display device 11 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays a print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) or the like, which will be described later. The input device 12 is configured by loading a transparent touch panel that functions as an operation unit on the LCD, and can input new driver settings Ds and the like in the driver setting content column 126 (FIG. 6) described later. The input device 12 may be configured so that a keyboard, a mouse, and the like can be used together. The terminal communication unit 13 controls an interface connected to the communication unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 3 via the network 4. The terminal communication unit 13 can acquire new driver settings Ds by importing later. The terminal storage unit 14 stores, for example, the driver setting table 50 and the like, which are later registered as favorite driver setting Ds shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 3 prints on the printing paper P based on the print data 80 transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. For this purpose, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit 20, an operation display unit 21, a printing mechanism control unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a motor driving unit 25 and a power supply unit 26 controlled by the printing mechanism control unit 22. The control unit 20 is composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls each unit.
The operation display unit 21 is configured by loading a transparent touch panel that functions as an operation unit on an LCD that functions as a display unit. The user can confirm the operation guidance and give a printing instruction such as starting printing by using the operation display unit 21.

The printing mechanism control unit 22 controls the drive of a motor or the like (not shown) by the motor drive unit 25, and controls the rotational drive of the photoconductor drum or the like of the electrophotographic image forming unit. Further, the printing mechanism control unit 22 controls the rotational drive of a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and the like (not shown) that feeds and conveys the printing paper P by the motor drive unit 25. In addition, the printing mechanism control unit 22 controls the voltage applied to the developing roller, the transfer roller, and the like (not shown) by the power supply unit 26. By performing the above control, the printing mechanism control unit 22 forms and prints an image desired by the user on the printing paper P.
The communication unit 23 controls an interface connected to the information processing device 1 via the network 4. The storage unit 24 stores the print data 80 and the like transmitted from the information processing device 1.

Next, the functional blocks of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a functional block of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. First, the functional blocks of the information processing apparatus 1 constituting the image forming system 2 as the print control system will be described. The information processing device 1 has an application 30 and a printer driver 33 as a print control device. Each of these parts may be configured so that the microprocessor of the terminal control unit 10 performs each processing by software, or a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is used. It may be configured to perform each process.

The application 30 is for the user to generate content data such as document data or image data. The application 30 outputs the content data generated in the printer driver 33 selected by the user. For this purpose, the application 30 has a content data generation unit 31 and a printer driver selection unit 32.
The content data generation unit 31 generates content data such as document data or image data by user operation. The printer driver selection unit 32 selects a printer driver 33 for printing content data by user operation.

The printer driver 33 as a print control device generates print data 80 based on the driver setting Ds (see FIG. 3) input by the user for the content data output from the application 30, and transmits the print data 80 to the image forming device 3. For this purpose, the printer driver 33 according to the first embodiment includes a driver setting unit 34, a driver setting check unit 35, and a driver setting holding unit 36, and further includes a print data generation unit 37 and a print data transmission unit 38.

The driver setting unit 34 as a driver setting input means accepts the input of new driver setting Ds input by the user. The input of the new driver setting Ds by the user is based on (1) the registration instruction of the driver setting Ds after the content of the driver setting Ds is changed, and (2) the management instruction when importing the driver setting Ds, as described later. This is the case based on. The driver setting unit 34 receives the new driver setting based on the registration instruction from the input device 12, and receives the new driver setting Ds by import from the terminal communication unit 13. Here, the import is a process for acquiring the driver setting Ds set in another information processing device (not shown) and newly registering the driver setting Ds in the information processing device 1.
The import of the new driver settings Ds is performed by the user, for example, as follows. That is, the user exports the desired driver setting Ds to the USB memory or the like in another information processing device (not shown), and then the user connects the USB memory or the like to the information processing device 1 and imports the new driver setting Ds. ..

The driver setting check unit 35 as the registration possibility determination means determines whether or not the new driver setting Ds input by the user can be registered. That is, the driver setting check unit 35 compares the new driver setting Ds with the registered driver setting Ds held in the driver setting table 50 as predetermined information in the driver setting holding unit 36 shown below. It is judged that registration is possible when there is no duplication. Further, the driver setting check unit 35 determines that registration is not possible when the new driver setting Ds overlaps with the already registered driver setting Ds. Duplication of driver settings Ds means that the contents of the setting values of the print function items in the driver setting table 50 are the same, and if they are registered as they are, duplicate registration (double registration) will occur.
Further, when the driver setting check unit 35 determines that registration is not possible, the driver setting warning guidance 141 is displayed on the duplicate registration warning screen G40 as a warning means shown later in FIG. 9, and the driver setting Ds is duplicated for the user. Warn to that effect. This display is performed by the display device 11 shown in FIG. By this warning, the user can change the contents of the driver setting Ds so that the driver setting Ds can be registered without duplication.

The driver setting holding unit 36 as the driver setting holding means registers and holds the driver setting Ds in the driver setting table 50 (FIG. 3) when it is determined by the driver setting check unit 35 that registration is possible. The driver setting holding unit 36 functions by the terminal storage unit 14 shown in FIG.
The print data generation unit 37 as the print data generation means generates the print data 80 based on the registerable driver setting Ds. The print data transmission unit 38 as the print data transmission means transfers the print data 80 generated by the print data generation unit 37 to the print data reception unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 3 via the network 4 by the terminal communication unit 13 (FIG. 1). Send to.

Next, the functional block of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. The image forming apparatus 3 prints content data such as document data or image data generated by the application 30 by the user based on the received print data 80 on the printing paper P. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a print data receiving unit 41, an image processing unit 42, and an image forming unit 43. Each of these units may be configured to function by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be configured to function separately from the control unit 20.

The print data receiving unit 41 as the print data receiving means receives the print data 80 transmitted from the information processing device 1 by the communication unit 23 (FIG. 1). The image processing unit 42 generates image data for image formation by performing predetermined image processing such as color conversion and halftone processing based on the print data 80, and supplies the image data to the image forming unit 43. do. The image forming unit 43 as a printing means forms a printed image such as a toner image via the printing mechanism control unit 22 (FIG. 1) based on the image data supplied from the image processing unit 42.

Next, the configuration of the driver setting table 50 that holds the standard settings and the driver settings Ds registered by the user by the driver setting holding unit 36 (FIG. 2) will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a driver setting table according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 3A shows a driver setting table 50 in a normal state. FIG. 3B shows the state of the driver setting table 50 when the content of the driver setting Ds is changed by the user or the driver setting Ds is imported on the print setting screen G20 shown later in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the line direction of the driver setting table 50 is a paper size item column 51 as a print function item, a paper feed method item column 52, a paper type item column 53, a double-sided print item column 54, and printing. It is composed of an orientation item column 55 and a color / monochrome setting item column 56. The driver setting name column 59 on the top row is a column for storing the driver setting name 57. Further, in the column direction of the driver setting table 50, the driver setting fields # Ds0, # Ds1, which store the contents of the print function item field 58 and the paper size item field 51 to the color / monochrome setting item field 56 for each driver setting Ds, It is composed of #Ds2 and the like.

The driver setting Ds specifies the setting value of the print function. More specifically, it is a set value (for example, A4) set for each print by the information processing apparatus 1 with respect to the print function possessed by the image forming apparatus 3, that is, the print attribute (for example, paper size). Normally, the print function of the image forming apparatus 3 has a plurality of items, so the driver setting Ds is a combination of each set value. The paper size item field 51 stores the content specified as the paper size to be printed by the user. The paper feed method item field 52 stores the contents designated as the tray for paper feed by the user. Further, the paper type item field 53 stores the contents designated as the type of paper to be printed by the user. The double-sided printing item field 54 stores either with double-sided printing or without double-sided printing specified by the user. The print orientation item field 55 stores either portrait or landscape as the print orientation specified by the user. The color / monochrome setting item field 56 stores either color printing / monochrome printing specified by the user.

In the driver setting table 50, the contents of standard settings are usually stored in the driver setting field # Ds0. Further, in the column direction of the driver setting table 50, the contents of the driver setting Ds registered by the user are stored in the driver setting fields # Ds1 and # Ds2 in order.
That is, in the driver setting field # Ds0, the driver setting name 57 is set as "standard setting", and the contents of the standard setting are stored in advance. Further, in the driver setting fields # Ds1 and D # 2, the contents when the user changes the contents to different from the standard settings and registers the driver setting name 57 as "A" and "B", respectively, are stored in order. .. These "standard settings", "A" and "B" are registered driver settings Ds.

As for the contents of the driver setting field # Ds1 of the driver setting name "A" shown in FIG. 3A, the user sets the paper size item field 51, the paper feed method item field 52, and the double-sided printing item field 54 as standard. This is the content when the content of the driver setting field # Ds0 is changed and registered as "A5", "Tray # 5", and "Yes", respectively.
Further, in the driver setting field # Ds2 of the driver setting name "B", the user changes the paper size item field 51, the paper feed method item field 52, and the double-sided printing item field 54 from the standard setting driver setting field # Ds0 contents. Then, it is the contents when "A3", "Tray # 2" and "Yes" are registered respectively.

Further, when the driver is changed or imported, that is, when the content of the registered driver setting Ds including the "standard setting" is changed by the user, or when the driver setting Ds is imported, the driver of FIG. 3 (a) is used. The contents of the setting fields # Ds0 to # Ds2 and the like are shifted by one field to the right side of the paper as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Further, in the driver setting field # Ds0, the driver setting name 57 is set as the "current setting", and the contents of the changed or imported driver setting Ds are temporarily stored.

With the above configuration, the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment operates as follows. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. The flowchart on the left side of the paper shown in FIG. 4 shows the operation of the information processing apparatus 1, and the flowchart on the right side of the paper shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 3.
First, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. The application 30 and the printer driver 33 operate under the control of the terminal control unit 10 (FIG. 1) of the information processing apparatus 1. Further, the display device 11 performs the display in the information processing device 1, and the input device 12 of the information processing device 1 performs the input by the user.

Step S11: First, the user activates the information processing apparatus 1, and after logging on by a logon screen (not shown), the application 30 of the information processing apparatus 1 is activated. The application 30 displays an application screen (not shown), and the content data generation unit 31 accepts the creation, selection, or editing of content data by the user. After that, when the user finishes creating, selecting, or editing the content data, a print button (not shown) is pressed.

Step S12: When the user presses a print button (not shown), the application 30 starts printing. The application 30 displays the application setting screen G10 shown in FIG. 5 on the display device 11 next, and accepts the application settings. That is, the application 30 accepts the selection of the printer driver 33 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 3 used for printing by the printer driver selection unit 32. Further, the application 30 accepts application settings related to printing such as a print range and the number of copies to be printed. This application setting is composed of setting items common to each printer driver 33.

FIG. 5 is a screen view of application settings according to the first embodiment. The application setting screen G10 is a screen for accepting an application setting including a printer name, a print range, and the number of copies to be printed by the user. The application 30 displays a printer name setting field 111, a print range setting field 112, and a print copy number setting field 113 on the application setting screen G10. In addition, the application 30 displays a property button 114, an OK button 115, and a cancel button 116 in the vicinity of the printer name setting field 111.
The printer name setting field 111 is a field for selecting a printer driver 33 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 3 used for printing, and displays the printer driver 33 that can be selected from the pull-down menu by the printer name or the like. The print range setting field 112 is displayed when there are a plurality of pages, and is a field for setting which page is to be printed. The number of copies setting field 113 is a field for setting the number of copies to be printed.

The property button 114 is a button to be pressed when proceeding to the printer driver setting for making detailed settings related to printing for each printer driver 33. The OK button 115 is a button that retains the set contents and starts printing. The cancel button 116 is a button to be pressed when the set contents are discarded and printing is finished.
The user selects the printer driver 33, sets the print range and the number of copies to be printed on the application setting screen G10, and presses the property button 114.
Returning to step S12 of FIG. 4, when the property button 114 is pressed by the user, the application 30 shifts to the printer driver setting by the selected printer driver 33.

Step S13: The printer driver 33 displays the print setting screen G20 shown in FIG. 6 on the display device 11. The printer driver 33 superimposes and displays the print setting screen G20 in front of the application setting screen G10 already displayed on the display device 11.
FIG. 6 is a screen view of print settings according to the first embodiment. The print setting screen G20 is a screen that accepts print settings such as paper size and paper feed method by the user, and also accepts management such as registration of driver setting Ds and import of driver setting Ds by the user. Note that FIG. 6A shows the entire print setting screen G20 displayed as a standard setting. FIG. 6B shows a driver setting management column 120 when a part or the whole of the contents of the driver setting Ds is changed by the user or the driver setting Ds is imported. Further, FIG. 6C shows a driver setting management field 120 when the driver setting Ds of another driver setting name 57 is selected by the user.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the printer driver 33 displays the basic setting sheet Sh20-1 and the detailed setting sheet Sh20-2 on the print setting screen G20. Although the description of the detailed setting sheet Sh20-2 is omitted for the sake of simplicity, the printer driver 33 displays more detailed setting items related to the driver setting Ds on the detailed setting sheet Sh20-2. The user can also change the contents of the setting items displayed on the detailed setting sheet Sh20-2. Hereinafter, the basic setting sheet Sh20-1 will be described.
The printer driver 33 displays a driver setting name box 121, a pull-down menu button 124, a setting registration button 122, and a setting management button 123 in the driver setting management field 120 of the print setting screen G20. Further, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting content column 126, the OK button 127, the cancel button 128, and the preview guide display column 129.

The driver setting name box 121 in the driver setting management column 120 is a box for displaying the driver setting name 57 of the current driver setting Ds. As shown in FIG. 6C, the pull-down menu button 124 is a button that displays a list of driver setting names 57 that can be selected by the user.
The setting registration button 122 is a button pressed when the user registers the driver setting Ds, and by pressing the setting registration button 122, the driver setting registration screen G30 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 11. The setting management button 123 is a button pressed when the user imports the driver setting Ds (FIG. 10) or manages the driver setting Ds such as deletion, and by pressing the button, the driver setting management shown later in FIG. 10 is performed. The screen G50 is displayed on the display device 11.

The driver setting content column 126 is a column for displaying the content of the current driver setting Ds. The illustration shows that the driver setting name 57 is the "standard setting" shown in FIG. 3A. In the driver setting content field 126, the user can change and input the contents of various printing function items such as paper size, paper feeding method, paper type, double-sided printing, print orientation, and color / monochrome setting.
The OK button 127 is a button that is pressed when the user holds the contents set on the print setting screen G20 and ends the display of the print setting screen G20. The cancel button 128 is a button that is pressed when the user discards the contents set on the print setting screen G20 and ends the display of the print setting screen G20. The preview guide display column 129 is a column for sequentially displaying the print preview expected in the current driver setting Ds, the contents of the main print function items, and the like as operation guidance to the user.
Returning to step S13 of FIG. 4, the user performs an operation such as inputting the contents of the driver setting Ds by the input device 12 on the print setting screen G20 displayed on the display device 11.

Step S14 [Driver setting input acceptance process]: The printer driver 33 inputs the contents of the driver setting Ds performed by the user in the driver setting content field 126 of the print setting screen G20 by the driver setting unit 34 as the driver setting input means. accept. The input of the contents of the driver setting Ds performed by the user is (1) a registration instruction of the driver setting Ds and (2) a management instruction of the driver setting Ds after changing the contents of the driver setting Ds.
(1) The user inputs the change of the content of the driver setting Ds in the driver setting content field 126. When the content of the driver setting Ds is changed by the user, the printer driver 33 changes the driver setting name 57 of the driver setting name box 121 from "standard setting" to "current setting" as shown in FIG. 6 (b). change. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the printer driver 33 inserts the contents of the driver setting Ds of the "current setting" into the driver setting field # Ds0 of the driver setting table 50 and temporarily stores the contents.

The contents of the temporarily stored driver setting Ds of the "current setting" are deleted when the driver setting Ds is returned to the "standard setting" by the user. That is, when the pull-down menu button 124 is pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 uses the registered driver settings Ds including the "standard settings" and the driver settings of the "current settings" as shown in FIG. 6 (c). The name 57 is displayed as the driver setting name list 125. The driver setting name list 125 is displayed in the column order of the driver setting name column 59 of the driver setting table 50 shown in FIG. 3 (b). After that, when the driver setting name "standard setting" in the driver setting name list 125 is selected by the user, the printer driver 33 deletes the driver setting name "current setting" from the driver setting table 50, and FIG. 3 (a) shows. Return to the state shown in, that is, the state in which the driver setting field # Ds0 is set to the driver setting name "standard setting".

Further, the user gives an instruction to register the driver setting Ds in the driver setting management field 120 of the print setting screen G20. The printer driver 33 receives a user's instruction to register the driver setting Ds by the driver setting unit 34. This registration instruction is given by the user pressing the setting registration button 122 in the driver setting management field 120. When the user gives a registration instruction, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting registration screen G30 shown in FIG. 8 on the display device 11.
(2) The user gives an instruction to manage the driver setting Ds in the driver setting management column 120 in the same manner. When importing, exporting, or deleting a setting as a management instruction, the user presses the setting management button 123 of the driver setting management field 120. When the user presses the setting management button 123, the printer driver 33 accepts an operation by the driver setting unit 34, and later displays the driver setting management screen G50 shown in FIG. 10 on the display device 11.

Step S15: The printer driver 33 performs the duplicate registration determination process and the warning process shown in FIG. 7 for the registration of the new driver setting Ds input by the user in step S14 by the driver setting check unit 35. The duplicate registration determination process is a process of determining whether the new driver setting Ds input by the user overlaps with the already registered driver setting Ds. Further, the warning process warns the user when it is determined as a result of the duplicate registration determination process that the new driver setting Ds input by the user overlaps with the already registered driver setting Ds.

Step S16: When the duplicate registration determination process and the warning process (FIG. 7) are completed and the OK button 127 is pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6), the printer driver 33 retains the set contents. The display of the print setting screen G20 is terminated. When the cancel button 128 is pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 discards the content set by the user on the print setting screen G20 and ends the display of the print setting screen G20.
After that, the user returns to the application setting screen G10 (FIG. 5) and performs an operation such as a print instruction.

Step S17: When the user presses the OK button 115 on the displayed application setting screen G10, the application 30 accepts this as a print instruction and then ends the display of the application setting screen G10. On the other hand, when the cancel button 116 is pressed by the user, the application 30 discards the content input by the user on the application setting screen G10 and the print setting screen G20, and ends the display of the application setting screen G10.

Step S18: The printer driver 33 receives a print instruction from the application 30, and print data 80 of the content data based on the new driver setting Ds input by the user on the print setting screen G20 by the print data generation unit 37 (FIG. 2). To generate.
Step S19: The printer driver 33 transmits the print data 80 generated by the print data generation unit 37 to the print data reception unit 41 (FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 3 by the print data transmission unit 38 (FIG. 2).
Step S20: The application 30 is terminated by the user's operation to terminate the application 30.

Subsequently, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
Step S21: On the other hand, the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 3 receives the print data 80 from the printer driver 33 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the network 4 by the print data receiving unit 41.
Step S22: The control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 3 performs predetermined image processing such as color conversion and halftone processing based on the print data 80 by the image processing unit 42 (FIG. 2), and the image forming unit 43 (FIG. 2). 2) generates image data to be printed.

Step S23: The control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 3 executes printing based on the image data formed in step S22 by the printing mechanism control unit 22, the motor driving unit 25, and the power supply unit 26 shown in FIG. Specifically, the printing mechanism control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 3 controls the driving of a motor or the like (not shown) by the motor driving unit 25, and controls the rotational driving of the photoconductor drum or the like of the image forming unit (not shown). Further, the printing mechanism control unit 22 controls the rotational drive of the paper feed roller, the transfer roller, and the like (not shown) for feeding and transporting the printing paper P by the motor drive unit 25. Subsequently, the printing mechanism control unit 22 controls the voltage applied to the developing roller, the transfer roller, and the like (not shown) by the power supply unit 26.
In this way, the print mechanism control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 3 executes printing based on the print data 80 received from the printer driver 33 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the network 4.

Next, the operation of the duplicate registration determination process and the warning process in step S15 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The duplicate registration determination process and the warning process are processed at the time of registration based on the registration instruction of the new driver setting Ds input by the user in step S14, or at the time of importing as a management instruction. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the duplicate registration determination process and the warning process of the driver settings according to the first embodiment.
Step S31: First, the printer driver 33 determines whether the setting registration button 122 or the setting management button 123 is pressed by the user in the driver setting management field 120 of the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6).

Step S32: When the printer driver 33 determines that the setting registration button 122 has been pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20, the printer driver 33 next displays the driver setting registration screen G30 shown in FIG. 8 on the display device 11.
FIG. 8 is a screen view of driver setting registration according to the first embodiment. The driver setting registration screen G30 displays the driver setting name 57 of the driver setting Ds to the user based on the pressing of the setting registration button 122 pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20, and accepts the pressing of the OK button 132 for confirmation. Is. As shown in FIG. 8, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting name input box 131, the OK button 132, and the cancel button 133 on the driver setting registration screen G30.
The driver setting name input box 131 is a text box for inputting the name of the driver setting Ds that the user newly registers and holds in the driver setting table 50 in order to identify the driver setting Ds, that is, the driver setting name 57.

The OK button 132 is a button to be pressed when the user approves the driver setting name 57 input to the driver setting name input box 131, and the driver setting name 57 is registered and held in the driver setting table 50 by pressing the button. The cancel button 133 is a button pressed when the user shifts to step S16 shown in FIG. 4 and returns to the operation on the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) without registering the driver setting Ds.
Returning to step S32 of FIG. 7, when the driver setting registration screen G30 is displayed on the display device 11, the user inputs the driver setting name 57 of the driver setting Ds to be newly registered and presses the OK button 132. When the user does not register, he presses the cancel button 133.

Step S33: When the printer driver 33 determines that the OK button 132 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting registration screen G30 and proceeds to the next step S34 for checking the driver setting duplication. On the other hand, when the printer driver 33 determines that the cancel button 133 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting registration screen G30 without registering the driver setting Ds.

Step S34: The printer driver 33 checks for duplication of the driver settings Ds by the driver setting check unit 35. That is, the printer driver 33 compares the new driver setting Ds with the registered driver setting Ds by the driver setting check unit 35, and determines whether or not they are duplicated. Specifically, the printer driver 33 is a registered driver setting including the contents of each item in the driver setting content column 126 (FIG. 6) and the "standard setting" held in the driver setting table 50 (FIG. 3). The contents of the paper size item column 51 to the color / monochrome setting item column 56 in Ds are compared, and it is determined whether all of them are the same.

Step S35 [Registration availability determination step (at the time of operation input)]: The printer driver 33 cannot be registered when it is determined by the driver setting check unit 35 that the new driver setting Ds overlaps with the already registered driver setting Ds. The process proceeds to step S36 for displaying the duplicate registration warning screen G40 (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the driver setting check unit 35 determines that the new driver setting Ds does not overlap with the registered driver setting Ds, the printer driver 33 determines that registration is possible and sets the new driver setting Ds in the driver setting table. The process proceeds to step S37 of registering and holding the 50.

Step S36 [Warning Step]: The printer driver 33 displays the duplicate registration warning screen G40 shown in FIG. 9 on the display device 11 by the driver setting check unit 35, and gives a duplicate registration warning. The printer driver 33 displays the duplicate registration warning screen G40 in front of the print setting screen G20 already displayed on the display device 11.
FIG. 9 is a screen view of a duplicate registration warning regarding the first embodiment. The duplicate registration warning screen G40 is a screen that warns the user when a duplicate driver setting Ds exists as a result of checking for duplication of the driver setting Ds based on the user pressing the OK button 132 on the driver setting registration screen G30. Is. The printer driver 33 displays the duplicate registration warning guidance 141 and the OK button 142 on the duplicate registration warning screen G40 by the driver setting check unit 35. The duplicate registration warning guidance 141 assumes that the driver setting Ds having the same contents has already been registered. The duplicate registration warning guidance 141 may further include the driver setting name 57 having the same content.

Further, the OK button 142 is a button to be pressed when the user learns that the driver setting Ds having the same contents has already been registered by the duplicate registration warning guidance 141 and does not need to be newly registered.
Returning to step S36 of FIG. 7, when the duplicate registration warning screen G40 is displayed on the display device 11, the user knows that there is no need for new registration, and presses the OK button 142. After that, the user returns to the operation on the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6). The printer driver 33 ends the display of the duplicate registration warning screen G40 when the OK button 142 is pressed by the user.

Step S37 [Driver setting holding step (at the time of operation input)]: On the other hand, when the printer driver 33 is determined by the driver setting checking unit 35 in step S35 to be unique and can be registered, the driver setting holding unit 36 is used. , Register and retain new driver settings Ds. That is, the printer driver 33 sets the name input by the user in the driver setting name input box 131 on the driver setting registration screen G30 (FIG. 8) as the driver setting name 57, and displays the contents of each item in the driver setting content field 126 (FIG. 6). Register and retain in the driver setting table 50. After that, the printer driver 33 proceeds to step S16 shown in FIG. 4, and returns to the operation by the user on the print setting screen G20.

Step S41: In step S31, when the printer driver 33 determines that the setting management button 123 has been pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20, the printer driver 33 next displays the driver setting management screen G50 shown in FIG. 10 on the display device 11. ..
FIG. 10 is a screen view of driver setting management according to the first embodiment. The driver setting management screen G50 is a screen that accepts the user's selection of management as import, export, or setting deletion by displaying the driver setting name 57 when the setting management button 123 is pressed on the print setting screen G20.
The printer driver 33 displays a driver setting name display field 151, a pull-down menu button 152, and an import button 153 on the driver setting management screen G50, and further displays an export button 154, a setting deletion button 155, and a close button 156. The driver setting name display field 151 is a field for displaying the driver setting name 57 of the current driver setting Ds. The pull-down menu button 152 is a button that displays the driver setting Ds that can be selected by the pull-down menu with the driver setting name 57.

The import button 153 is a button that the user presses when, for example, the driver setting Ds is transferred from another information processing device 1. The export button 154 is a button pressed by the user when, for example, the driver setting Ds is transferred to another information processing apparatus 1. The setting deletion button 155 is a button for deleting the driver setting Ds displayed in the driver setting name display field 151 from the driver setting table 50.
When the driver setting name display field 151 is "standard setting", the setting deletion button 155 may be highlighted to alert the user so that the driver setting Ds cannot be deleted.

Returning to step S41 of FIG. 7, when the driver setting management screen G50 (FIG. 10) is displayed on the display device 11, the user can use either the import button 153, the export button 154, the setting deletion button 155, or the close button 156. Press the button.
Step S42: The printer driver 33 accepts an operation by the user on the driver setting management screen G50. After that, the printer driver 33 determines whether the import button 153, the export button 154, the setting deletion button 155, or the close button 156 is pressed by the user.

Step S43: When the printer driver 33 determines that the import button 153 has been pressed, the printer driver 33 next displays the driver setting import screen G60 shown in FIG. 11 on the display device 11.
FIG. 11 is a screen view of the driver setting import according to the first embodiment. The driver setting import screen G60 is a screen that accepts input of a file name or the like to be imported by the user when the import button 153 for importing a new driver setting Ds is pressed by the user on the driver setting management screen G50. ..
The printer driver 33 displays the operation guidance 161 and the text box 162 on the driver setting import screen G60, and further displays the reference button 163, the OK button 164, and the cancel button 165.
The operation guidance 161 is a guidance for urging the user to input the folder name and the file name for which the new driver setting Ds is desired to be imported into the text box 162. The text box 162 is a text box for inputting a folder name and a file name to be imported by the user.

The reference button 163 is a button for displaying a list of importable folder names and file names. The user can select the desired driver configuration file from the list of importable folder names and file names. The OK button 164 is a button to start importing. The cancel button 165 is a button for canceling the import and returning to the driver setting management screen G50.
Returning to step S43 of FIG. 7, when the driver setting import screen G60 (FIG. 11) is displayed on the display device 11, the user inputs the folder name and file name of the desired driver setting Ds into the text box 162. For example, the user inputs "C: \ User \ △△ ○ \ C. ***" into the text box 162 and presses the OK button 164.

Step S44: When the OK button 164 is pressed by the user on the driver setting import screen G60, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting import screen G60. After that, the printer driver 33 starts importing the driver setting Ds desired by the user. At this time, the printer driver 33 checks for duplication of new driver settings Ds by the driver setting check unit 35, as in step S34. That is, the printer driver 33 has a new driver setting Ds that accepts imports that are the contents of each item in the driver setting content column 126 (FIG. 6) by the driver setting check unit 35, and a registered driver setting Ds that includes standard settings. And, and it is determined whether or not the imported driver setting Ds is duplicated.

Step S45 [Registration availability determination step (at the time of import)]: When the printer driver 33 determines that the new driver setting Ds overlaps with the already registered driver setting Ds by the driver setting check unit 35, the printer driver 33 cannot be registered. The determination is made and the process proceeds to step S46. On the other hand, when the driver setting check unit 35 determines that the new driver setting Ds does not overlap with the registered driver setting Ds, the printer driver 33 determines that registration is possible and completes the import of the driver setting Ds in step S47. Proceed to.

Step S46 [Warning Step]: Similar to step S36, the printer driver 33 displays the duplicate registration warning screen G40 shown in FIG. 9 on the display device 11 by the driver setting check unit 35, and gives a duplicate registration warning. When the duplicate registration warning screen G40 is displayed on the display device 11, the user knows that the driver setting Ds having the same contents has already been registered and does not need to be imported, and presses the OK button 142 to manage the driver setting. Return to the operation on the screen G50. The printer driver 33 ends the display of the duplicate registration warning screen G40 when the OK button 142 is pressed by the user.

Step S47 [Driver setting holding step (at the time of import)]: When the printer driver 33 determines in step S45 that there is no duplication and determines that registration is possible, the printer driver 33 completes the import of the driver settings Ds and imports. Register and retain the driver settings Ds that have been set. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the printer driver 33 inserts, registers, and holds the contents of the imported driver setting Ds in the driver setting field # Ds0 of the driver setting table 50. When the import data includes the driver setting name 57, the printer driver 33 uses the driver setting name 57 as the new driver setting name 57. When the import data does not include the driver setting name 57, the printer driver 33 sets the driver setting name 57 as the "current setting".
After that, the printer driver 33 proceeds to step S16 shown in FIG. 4, and returns to the operation by the user on the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6).

Step S48: On the other hand, in step S42, when the printer driver 33 determines that the export button 154 (FIG. 10) has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 next displays the driver setting export screen G70 shown in FIG. 12 on the display device 11. ..
FIG. 12 is a screen view of the driver setting export according to the first embodiment. The driver setting export screen G70 is a screen that accepts the input of the folder name to be exported by the user when the export button 154 for exporting the driver setting Ds is pressed by the user on the driver setting management screen G50.
As shown in FIG. 12, the printer driver 33 displays the operation guidance 171 and the text box 172 on the driver setting export screen G70, and further displays the reference button 173, the OK button 174, and the cancel button 175.
The operation guidance 171 is a guidance that prompts the user to input a folder name for exporting the driver settings Ds. The text box 172 is a text box for inputting the name of the export destination folder.

The browse button 173 is a button that displays a list of exportable folder names. The user can select a desired folder from the list of exportable folder names. The OK button 174 is a button for starting export. The cancel button 175 is a button for canceling the export and returning to the driver setting management screen G50.
Returning to step S48 shown in FIG. 7, when the driver setting export screen G70 is displayed on the display device 11, the user inputs a desired folder name in the text box 172 and presses the OK button 174 to set the current driver. Execute the export of Ds. For example, the user inputs "C: \ User \ 〇 △△ \" in the text box 172.

Further, in step S42, when the printer driver 33 determines that the setting deletion button 155 shown in FIG. 10 is pressed, the driver setting name is not specified unless the driver setting name display field 151 is "standard setting". Delete the driver setting Ds in the display field 151. That is, the printer driver 33 deletes the driver setting Ds of the driver setting name 57 in the driver setting name display field 151 from the driver setting table 50 shown in FIG.
Further, in step S42, when the printer driver 33 determines that the close button 156 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting management screen G50 and accepts the user operation on the print setting screen G20.
In this way, the printer driver 33 of the first embodiment prevents unnecessary registration and import of the driver setting Ds that overlaps with the registered driver setting Ds.

As described above, the printer driver 33 according to the first embodiment is registered based on the registration instruction of the new driver setting Ds input by the user, or when the new driver setting Ds is imported as the management instruction. Compared with the driver setting table 50 as predetermined information for holding the already registered driver setting Ds, if there is a driver setting Ds having the same contents, registration is not possible. Then, the printer driver 33 displays the duplicate registration warning screen G40 on the display device 11. Therefore, the printer driver 33 according to the first embodiment can prevent the user from duplicating and unnecessary registration and import of the driver setting Ds, and can make the registration operation of the driver setting Ds easier to understand.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the image forming system 2 as the print control system according to the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the image forming system 2 as the print control system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has a different functional configuration of the printer driver 33, and the image forming apparatus 3 has a different functional configuration of the control unit 20.
First, the functional blocks of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. The functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is the driver setting check unit 35 shown in FIG. 13 instead of the driver setting check unit 35 of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. A 95 is provided, and a printing function communication unit 39 is newly provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment is a printing function holding unit 45 that holds an addable print function table 70 (see FIG. 14) as print function information of the image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. And a print function communication unit 46 is newly provided.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a functional block of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. First, the functional block of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has an application 30 and a printer driver 33 like the information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Each of these units may be configured so that the microprocessor or the like of the terminal control unit 10 (FIG. 1) performs each processing by software, or each processing is performed by using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA separately from the terminal control unit 10. It may be configured to perform.

The application 30 has a content data generation unit 31 and a printer driver selection unit 32, as in the application 30 according to the first embodiment. The content data generation unit 31 generates content data such as document data or image data by user operation. The printer driver selection unit 32 selects a printer driver 33 for printing content data by user operation.

The printer driver 33 as a print control device according to the second embodiment includes a driver setting unit 34, a driver setting check unit 95, and a driver setting holding unit 36, and further includes a print data generation unit 37, a print data transmission unit 38, and printing. A functional communication unit 39 is provided.
Since the driver setting unit 34, the driver setting holding unit 36, the print data generation unit 37, and the print data transmission unit 38 are the same as those related to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The driver setting check unit 95 as a registration possibility determination means sets new driver setting Ds and predetermined information at the time of registration based on the registration instruction as a user operation for holding the driver setting Ds or at the time of import as a management instruction. Compared with the contents of the print function table 70 (see FIG. 14) that can be added, the suitability of the new driver setting Ds is determined. The driver setting check unit 95 determines that registration is possible when the new driver setting Ds is conforming, and determines that registration is not possible when the new driver setting Ds is non-conforming. For this compatibility, for example, "Yes" is set for double-sided printing in the new driver setting Ds, but the double-sided printing unit is not installed due to a failure or repair of the image forming apparatus 3, and the driver setting Ds is used. One example is when it cannot be done. That is, the compatibility between the new driver setting Ds and the printing function in the present embodiment means whether or not the content of the new driver setting Ds is within the range of the printing function that can be actually used by the image forming apparatus 3.

Further, when the driver setting check unit 95 determines that registration is not possible, the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 is displayed. The nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 includes nonconformity registration warning guidance 181 (FIG. 17) as a warning means for warning the user that the setting is nonconforming. Further, the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 includes a selection radio button 184 as a means for the user to select whether to change the driver setting Ds or the print function.

The nonconformity registration warning guidance 181 and the selection radio button 184 of the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 are for allowing the user to select whether to change the driver setting Ds or the printing function described later. As a result, the new driver setting Ds becomes a registerable driver setting Ds that matches the printable function table 70 that can be added.
The print function communication unit 39 as the terminal-side print function communication means can be added to the print function communication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 3 as print function information stored in the print function holding unit 45 (FIG. 6). 14) is requested to be transmitted, and the addable print function table 70 is received. Specifically, the print function communication unit 39 transmits the print function transmission request 60 to the print function communication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 3.

Next, the functional block of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. The image forming apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment includes a print data receiving unit 41 as a print data receiving means, an image processing unit 42, and an image forming unit 43 as a printing means. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment includes a print function holding unit 45 and a print function communication unit 46 including an addable print function table 70 shown later in FIG. Each of these units may be configured to function by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 13, or may be configured to function separately from the control unit 20.
Since the print data receiving unit 41, the image processing unit 42, and the image forming unit 43 are the same as each unit related to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The print function holding unit 45 as the print function holding means functions by the storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 1, and stores the addable print function of the image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 14 later in the addable print function table 70. The print function that can be added refers to a print function that can be added by changing the hardware such as the tray configuration mounted on the image forming apparatus 3 and the presence / absence of a double-sided printing unit. That is, the printable function table 70 stores the print function added by the mechanism and device that can be externally attached or attached by the user.
The print function communication unit 46 as the print function communication means on the image forming apparatus side functions by the communication unit 23 shown in FIG. 1 and can be added to the print function transmission request 60 from the print function communication unit 39 of the information processing device 1. The print function table 70 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1.

In other words, the print function communication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 3 transmits the print function table 70 that can be added to the information processing apparatus 1. As a result, the information processing apparatus 1 can add a new driver setting Ds when registering based on the registration instruction of the new driver setting Ds or when importing as a management instruction. It does not conform to the print function content column 72 of the print function table 70. In the case of, it is possible to warn the user that the setting is incompatible. Further, the information processing apparatus 1 can make the user select whether to change the new driver setting Ds or confirm the print function and change the driver setting Ds so that the driver setting Ds can be registered.

Next, the configuration of the addtable print function table 70 stored in the print function holding unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an addable print function table according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the addable print function table 70 includes a print function item column 71 and a print function content column 72 in the column direction, and stores the state of each function of the print function item column 71 in the print function content column 72. do. The printable function table 70 that can be added stores, for example, the state at the time of starting the image forming apparatus 3 and when the state is changed for each function of the print function item column 71.

The print function item column 71 is composed of a tray configuration item column 73, an SD card item column 74, a double-sided printing unit item column 75, and the like. The tray configuration item column 73 stores usable trays, and when trays # 1 to # 3 are available, stores them as "# 1, # 2, # 3". The SD card item column 74 stores "Yes" when printing using the SD card is possible, and stores "None" when printing using the SD card is not possible. The SD card function is a function capable of printing by simply writing print data 80 on an SD card and inserting it into an image forming apparatus 3. The double-sided printing unit item column 75 stores whether or not the double-sided printing unit is mounted, stores "yes" when the double-sided printing unit is mounted, and stores "none" when the double-sided printing unit is not mounted.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. The flowchart on the left side of the paper shown in FIG. 4 shows the operation of the information processing apparatus 1, and the flowchart on the right side of the paper shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 3. The operation of the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the operation of the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in steps S55 to S57. Other operations are the same as the operations of the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment.

First, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. The application 30 and the printer driver 33 operate under the control of the terminal control unit 10 as in the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, the display device 11 and the input device 12 shown in FIG. 1 perform the display on the information processing device 1 and the input by the user.
Step S51: The information processing apparatus 1 is first activated by the user, the logon is performed by the logon screen (not shown), and then the application 30 (FIG. 13) is activated. Similar to the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, the application 30 accepts the creation of content data by the user by the content data generation unit 31. After that, the user presses a print button (not shown).

Step S52: The application 30 starts printing, displays the application setting screen G10 (FIG. 5) on the display device 11, and accepts the application setting and the selection of the printer driver 33 by the printer driver selection unit 32.
When the property button 114 (FIG. 5) is pressed by the user, the application 30 shifts to the printer driver setting by the selected printer driver 33.

Step S53: The printer driver 33 displays the print setting screen G20 on the display device 11.
Step S54 [Driver setting input acceptance process]: The printer driver 33 is imported as a change, registration instruction, and management instruction of the contents of the driver setting Ds by the user on the print setting screen G20 by the driver setting unit 34 as the driver setting input means. Etc. are accepted.
Step S55: When the printer driver 33 determines that the operation by the user is the registration of the driver setting Ds or the operation of import as a management instruction, the print function communication unit 39 of the information processing apparatus 1 transmits the print function. The request 60 is transmitted to the print function communication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 3.

Step S56: On the other hand, when the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 3 receives the print function transmission request 60 from the print function communication unit 39 of the information processing apparatus 1, the control unit 20 is stored in the print function holding unit 45 by the print function communication unit 46. The print function table 70 (FIG. 14) that can be added is transmitted to the print function communication unit 39.
Step S57 [Print Function Receiving Step]: The printer driver 33 receives the addable print function table 70 by the print function communication unit 39.
After that, the printer driver 33 performs the nonconformity registration warning process and the avoidance selection process shown in FIG. 16 for the registration of the new driver setting Ds input by the user in step S54 by the driver setting check unit 95. The nonconformity registration warning determines the compatibility with the print function table 70 to which the new driver setting Ds input by the user can be added, and if there is no compatibility, a warning that the new driver setting Ds cannot be registered. This is the process to be performed. The avoidance selection is a process of allowing the user to select either a workaround method of changing a new driver setting Ds or a print function when the suitability is not met.

Step S58: When the nonconformity registration warning process and the avoidance selection process (FIG. 16) are completed and the OK button 127 is pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20, the printer driver 33 retains the set contents and the print setting screen. The display of G20 is finished. After that, when the user returns to the application setting screen G10, the user performs an operation such as a print instruction.

Step S59: When the OK button 115 is pressed by the user on the application setting screen G10, the application 30 accepts this as a print instruction and then ends the display of the application setting screen G10.
Step S60: The printer driver 33 generates print data 80 of content data based on the new driver setting Ds on the print setting screen G20 by the print data generation unit 37 in response to a print instruction from the application 30.

Step S61: The printer driver 33 transmits the print data 80 generated by the print data generation unit 37 to the print data reception unit 41 (FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 3 by the print data transmission unit 38.
Step S62: The application 30 is terminated by the user's operation to terminate the application 30.
Steps S63 to S65: On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 3 is operated by the print data receiving unit 41 from the printer driver 33 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the network 4 in the same manner as the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment. And receive the print data 80. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 executes printing by the image processing unit 42 and the image forming unit 43 based on the print data 80.

Next, the operation of the nonconformity registration warning process and the avoidance selection process in step S57 shown in FIG. 15 will be described. The nonconformity registration warning process and the avoidance selection process are processed at the time of registering the new driver setting Ds input by the user in step S54 shown in FIG. 15 or at the time of importing as a management instruction. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the driver setting nonconformity registration warning process and avoidance selection process according to the second embodiment.
Step S81: First, the printer driver 33 determines whether the setting registration button 122 or the setting management button 123 is pressed by the user in the driver setting management field 120 of the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6).

Step S82: When the printer driver 33 determines that the setting registration button 122 has been pressed by the user on the print setting screen G20, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting registration screen G30 (FIG. 8) on the display device 11. The user inputs the driver setting name 57 of the newly registered driver setting Ds, and presses the OK button 132.
Step S83: When the printer driver 33 determines that the OK button 132 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting registration screen G30 and proceeds to step S84 for performing the next driver setting conformity check.

Step S84: The printer driver 33 performs a driver setting compatibility check by the driver setting check unit 95 (FIG. 13), and matches the content of the new driver setting Ds to be registered by the user with the print function of the image forming apparatus 3. Judge the sex. That is, the printer driver 33 refers to the contents of the addable print function table 70 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 3 in step S56 shown in FIG. Then, the printer driver 33 compares the contents of the print function items of the print function table 70 that can be added with the contents of the new driver settings Ds by the driver setting check unit 95, and forms an image of the new driver settings Ds. Check if it can be used for the device 3.

For example, if the current driver setting Ds is the driver setting field # Ds1 of the driver setting table 50 shown in FIG. 3A, and the addable print function table 70 is the addable print function table 70 shown in FIG. The printer driver 33 performs a driver setting compatibility check as follows.
In this case, the content of the paper feed method item field 52 of the driver setting field # Ds1 is "tray # 5", whereas in the printable function table 70 that can be added, the tray configuration item field 73 is "# 1, #". 2, # 3 ”, and printing using tray # 5 is not possible. Therefore, the printer driver 33 is determined to be "nonconforming" by the driver setting check unit 95.

Further, while the content of the double-sided printing item field 54 of the driver setting Ds field # 1 is "Yes", the double-sided printing unit item field 75 is "None" in the printable function table 70 that can be added. Cannot print. Therefore, even in this state, the printer driver 33 is determined to be "nonconforming" by the driver setting check unit 95.
Step S85 [Registration availability determination step (at the time of operation input)]: When the printer driver 33 determines "nonconformity" by the driver setting check unit 95, it determines that registration is not possible, and warns the user of nonconformity registration and avoids it by the user. The process proceeds to step S86 for making a selection. On the other hand, when the driver setting check unit 95 determines that the printer driver 33 is "conforming", the printer driver 33 determines that registration is possible, and proceeds to step S88.

Step S86 [Warning step]: When the printer driver 33 determines that the printer driver 33 is "nonconforming" and cannot be registered by the driver setting check unit 95, the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display device 11. indicate. The printer driver 33 displays the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 in front of the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) already displayed on the display device 11.
FIG. 17 is a screen view of the nonconformity registration warning and avoidance selection regarding the second embodiment. The nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 checks the conformity of the new driver setting Ds based on the user pressing the OK button 132 on the driver setting registration screen G30, and as a result, the new driver setting Ds to be registered by the user. This screen warns the user and allows the user to select an avoidance method when it is determined that the content of the above is not suitable for the printing function of the image forming apparatus 3.
The printer driver 33 displays the nonconformity registration warning guidance 181 and the nonconformity setting item 182, the avoidance selection guidance 183, the selection radio button 184, and the OK button 185 on the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80.

The nonconformity registration warning guidance 181 is a guidance that the new driver setting Ds is incompatible with the printing function of the image forming apparatus 3 and the driver setting Ds cannot be used. For example, the nonconformity registration warning guidance 181 states that "the settings marked with x below do not match the device configuration. The driver settings as they are cannot be registered." The nonconformity setting item 182 is a list of setting items that cannot be used in the current driver setting Ds. This nonconformity setting item 182 is displayed in the vicinity of the nonconformity registration warning guidance 181.
The avoidance selection guidance 183 is guidance for urging the user to select whether to change the new driver setting Ds or to confirm and change the print function. The selection radio button 184 is a radio button in which the user selects a workaround for changing the driver setting Ds or changing the print function.

The selection radio button 184 is composed of a selection radio button 184a and a selection radio button 184b in which only one of them can be selected. The selection radio button 184a is a radio button pressed when the user selects to change the new driver setting Ds and adapt it to the printing function for avoidance. The selection radio button 184b is a radio button pressed when the user selects to change the printing function and use the new driver setting Ds as it is for avoidance. The OK button 185 is a button for returning to the print setting screen G20.
Returning to step S86 of FIG. 16, the user refers to the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 (FIG. 17) and knows that printing cannot be performed with the current driver setting Ds. After that, when the user selects to change the new driver setting Ds, the user selects the selection radio button 184a and presses the OK button 185 (FIG. 17). Further, when the user changes the print function and uses the driver setting Ds as it is, he / she selects the selection radio button 184b and presses the OK button 185 (FIG. 17).

Step S87: When the OK button 185 is pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80.
After that, when the printer driver 33 determines in step S86 that the selection radio button 184a for changing the new driver setting Ds is selected by the user, the printer driver 33 shifts to step S58 shown in FIG. Accept the operation of 6). In this case, the user changes the new driver setting Ds on the print setting screen G20 so that the driver setting Ds can be registered without any incompatibility.

Further, when the printer driver 33 determines in step S86 that the selection radio button 184b for changing the printing function is selected by the user, the printer driver 33 proceeds to the next step S88. In this case, the user confirms the print function of the image forming apparatus 3, confirms the presence / absence of the corresponding unit, and makes changes such as resetting so as to eliminate the incompatibility with the new driver setting Ds. That is, the user can set the new driver setting Ds to be a registerable driver setting Ds.

Step S88 [Driver setting holding step (at the time of operation input)]: When the printer driver 33 determines in step S85 that there is no nonconformity and registration is possible, the driver setting holding unit 36 sets a new driver setting Ds in the driver setting table. Register and retain at 50. After that, the printer driver 33 returns to step S58 shown in FIG. 15 and accepts the operation of the print setting screen G20 by the user.

Step S91: On the other hand, in step S81, when the printer driver 33 determines on the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) that the setting management button 123 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting management screen G50 (FIG. 10). Displayed on the device 11.
Step S92: The printer driver 33 accepts a user operation on the driver setting management screen G50, and determines which of the import button 153 and the like is pressed by the user.

Step S93: When the printer driver 33 determines that the import button 153 has been pressed, the printer driver 33 displays the driver setting import screen G60 (FIG. 11) on the display device 11.
When the driver setting import screen G60 is displayed, the user inputs the folder name and file name of the desired driver setting Ds into the text box 162, and the OK button 164 is pressed.

Step S94: The printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting import screen G60, and starts importing new driver setting Ds desired by the user entered in the text box 162. At this time, the printer driver 33 performs a driver setting nonconformity check by the driver setting check unit 95 in the same manner as in step S84.
Step S95 [Registration availability determination step (at the time of import)]: When the driver setting check unit 95 determines that the printer driver 33 is "nonconforming", the printer driver 33 determines that registration is not possible, and proceeds to step S96. When the driver setting check unit 95 determines that the printer driver 33 is "conforming", the printer driver 33 can be registered and proceeds to step S98.

Step S96: When the printer driver 33 determines by the driver setting check unit 95 that the printer is "nonconforming" and makes registration impossible, the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display device 11 as in step S86. indicate.
The user refers to the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80 (FIG. 17) and knows that printing cannot be performed with the new driver setting Ds that has started importing. After that, when the user selects to change the imported driver setting Ds, the user selects the selection radio button 184a and presses the OK button 185 (FIG. 17). Further, when the user changes the print function and uses the driver setting Ds as it is, he / she selects the selection radio button 184b and presses the OK button 185.

Step S97: When the OK button 185 is pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the nonconformity registration warning avoidance selection screen G80.
After that, when the printer driver 33 determines that the selection radio button 184a for changing the new driver setting Ds is selected by the user, the printer driver 33 returns to step S58 shown in FIG. 15 and returns to the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) by the user. Accept the operation. In this case, the user changes the imported new driver setting Ds on the print setting screen G20 so that the driver setting Ds is compatible and can be registered.
Further, when the printer driver 33 determines that the selection radio button 184b for confirming the print function has been selected by the user, the printer driver 33 proceeds to the next step S98. In this case, the user confirms and resets the corresponding unit so as to eliminate the incompatibility with the new driver setting Ds. In this way, the user can make the new driver setting Ds into a registerable driver setting Ds.

Step S98 [Driver setting holding step (at the time of import)]: When the printer driver 33 determines in step S95 that the printer conforms and can be registered, the printer driver completes the import and steps S47 (FIG. 7) of the first embodiment. ), The imported new driver setting Ds is registered and held in the driver setting table 50.
After that, the printer driver 33 returns to step S58 shown in FIG. 15 and accepts the operation of the print setting screen G20 (FIG. 6) by the user.
Step S99: On the other hand, when the printer driver 33 determines in step S92 that the export button 154 has been pressed by the user, the printer driver 33 sets the driver setting Ds in the same manner as the operation of step S48 (FIG. 7) of the first embodiment. Export.

Further, when the printer driver 33 determines in step S92 that the setting deletion button 155 shown in FIG. 10 is pressed, the printer driver 33 deletes the setting of the driver setting Ds in the same manner as the operation of step S48 of the first embodiment. conduct. When the printer driver 33 determines that the close button 156 has been pressed, the printer driver 33 ends the display of the driver setting management screen G50.
In this way, the printer driver 33 of the second embodiment is useless by the user even when a failure or the like occurs in the image forming apparatus 3 and the double-sided printing unit or a part of the tray is not attached due to repair or the like. Driver setting Ds can be prevented.

As described above, the printer driver 33 according to the second embodiment can be added as predetermined information at the time of registration based on the registration instruction of the new driver setting Ds or at the time of import as a management instruction. Compared with 70, when the new driver setting Ds is incompatible with the printing function of the image forming apparatus 3, registration is not possible. Then, the printer driver 33 warns the user that it is incompatible and allows the user to select whether to change the new driver setting Ds or the print function. Therefore, the printer driver 33 according to the second embodiment can prevent the user from registering useless driver setting Ds that is incompatible with the printing function of the image forming apparatus 3, and can further perform the registration operation of the driver setting Ds. It can be made easy to understand.

(Modification 1) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified based on the gist of the present invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above description of the embodiment, the printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus 3, but the image forming apparatus 3 may be a copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction device.

(Modification 2) Further, in the description of the above-described embodiment, the image forming system 2 for printing has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a digital document management system for reading documents and the like. .. That is, even in a digital document management system or the like, if the present invention is applied, it is possible to prevent duplicate registration in the scanner driver setting for image reading. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from setting a useless scanner driver that is incompatible with the scanner function when a double-sided reading unit or a part of the tray is not installed due to a failure or the like for repair or the like.

(Modification 3) Further, in the description of the above embodiment, it has been described that the duplicate registration warning shown in FIG. 9 and the nonconformity registration warning shown in FIG. 17 are displayed on the display device 11, but these warnings are voiced. Alternatively, it may be performed by a buzzer or the like, or by voice or a buzzer or the like together with the display.

1 Information processing device 2 Image formation system
3 Image forming device 4 Network
10 Terminal control unit 11 Display device 12 Input device 13 Terminal communication unit
14 Terminal storage unit 20 Control unit
23 Communication unit 24 Storage unit 30 Application 33 Printer driver
34 Driver setting unit 35 Driver setting check unit 36 Driver setting holding unit 37 Print data generation unit
38 Print data transmitter 39 Print function Communication unit
41 Print data receiver 50 Driver setting table 80 Print data 141 Duplicate registration warning guidance
181 Nonconformity Registration Warning Guidance Ds Driver Settings

Claims (12)

A driver setting input means that accepts input of driver settings that specify the setting values of the print function, and
A print control device comprising: a registration possibility determination means for determining whether or not the new driver setting can be registered by comparing the new driver setting received by the driver setting input means with predetermined information. Furthermore, it is equipped with a driver setting holding means for holding the registered driver settings.
The predetermined information that the registration possibility determination means compares with the new driver setting is the already registered driver setting held by the driver setting holding means.
The print control device according to claim 1, wherein when the registration possibility determination means determines that the new driver setting can be registered, the new driver setting is held by the driver setting holding means. The registration possibility determination means determines that the registration is possible when the new driver setting does not overlap with the already registered driver setting held by the driver setting holding means, and determines that registration is not possible when the new driver setting overlaps. 2. The print control device according to claim 2. The print control device according to claim 3, further comprising a warning means for issuing a warning when the registration possibility determination means determines that registration is not possible. Further, the terminal side printing function communication means which is connected to the image forming apparatus via a line and receives the printing function information of the printing function possessed by the image forming apparatus is provided.
The predetermined information that the registration possibility determination means compares with the new driver setting is the print function information of the image forming apparatus.
The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the registration possibility determination means determines that registration is possible when the new driver setting conforms to the print function information. The print control device according to claim 5, wherein the registration possibility determination means determines that registration is not possible when the new driver setting does not match the print function information. Further, it is provided with a warning means for warning that the new driver setting is incompatible with the print function information when the registration possibility determination means determines that the registration is not possible.
The print control device according to claim 6, wherein the warning means allows the user to select whether to change the new driver setting or the print function of the image forming apparatus. The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the new driver setting accepted by the driver setting input means is the new driver setting by operation input or the new driver setting by import. Control device. The driver setting input acceptance process that accepts the input of the driver setting that specifies the setting value of the print function, and
A print control method comprising a registration propriety determination step of comparing a new driver setting received in the driver setting input receiving step with predetermined information and determining whether or not the new driver setting can be registered. Further, the driver setting holding step of holding the registered driver setting in the driver setting holding means is included.
The predetermined information to be compared with the new driver setting in the registration possibility determination step is the already registered driver setting held in the driver setting holding step.
Further, when it is determined in the registration possibility determination step that the new driver setting can be registered, the driver setting holding step includes holding the new driver setting in the driver setting holding means. Item 9. The print control method according to Item 9. Further, the present invention includes a print function receiving step of receiving print function information related to the print function of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus.
The predetermined information to be compared with the new driver setting in the registration possibility determination step is the print function information received in the print function receiving step.
The ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the registration possibility determination step includes determining that registration is possible when the new driver setting conforms to the print function information, and determining that registration is not possible when the new driver setting conforms to the print function information. The print control method described. An information processing device that generates print data based on driver settings that specify print function settings, and
An image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus and printing based on the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is provided.
The information processing device is
Driver setting input means that accepts input of new driver settings,
The new driver setting received by the driver setting input means is compared with predetermined information, and the registration possibility determination means for determining whether or not the new driver setting can be registered is provided.
A print control system characterized in that the print data is generated based on the new driver setting determined to be registerable and the image forming apparatus is instructed to print.

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