JP4702948B2 - Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium for customizing device driver - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a device driver and its associated program are installed, a method for controlling the apparatus, and a medium storing a control program.

  In the conventional customization system, in order to create a customized printer driver installation set, first, a printer driver to be customized is installed in the target OS, and a tool for creating a customized printer driver installation set in that environment Had to start.

  For this reason, when a network administrator or the like tries to create a customized driver for each client PC in a network environment in which a plurality of types of OSs of information processing apparatuses (client PCs) are mixed, the above-mentioned process is performed for each OS environment. It was necessary to create a customized printer driver by such a procedure. This is a heavy burden on the creator of the customized printer driver, and the creation efficiency is not good, and it is difficult to cope with the diversification of usage modes.

  In addition, with the conventional customization technology, UI Disable control (input control for specifying an item that cannot be changed and not accepting input for the item) is possible, but the item itself is not displayed. Control (hereinafter referred to as "Hide control") could not be performed, so the user using the customized printer driver may see that the setting item is displayed as Disable as a result of customization, or other print settings Due to the exclusive processing (conflict processing), whether or not the item is displayed as Disable is indistinguishable, and it is difficult for the user of the customized printer driver to judge, and the operation input related to the customization setting is not easy.

As the above-described prior art, for example, there are those shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below.
JP-A-8-278871 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-134148

  In the above-described prior art, since the operation input related to the customization setting is difficult for the user to understand, a technique for facilitating the operation input is required to improve the work efficiency.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing technology that can create an installation set of customized drivers without installing a printer driver and improve work efficiency. To do.

  Alternatively, even if the printer driver is for an OS that does not support customization, it is possible to create a customized driver that reflects the customization desired by the user, so the work efficiency related to customization is improved. Another object is to provide information processing technology that makes this possible.

In order to achieve any of the above objects, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Acquisition means for acquiring properties including print settings;
Without workable register the device driver to the operating system, the properties including print setting acquired by the acquisition unit, characterized by having a setting means for setting to the device driver.

Alternatively, an information processing device that customizes the device driver that controls the printing device by setting properties,
Determining means for determining whether the device driver supports customization;
The discrimination of the discriminating means, when the device driver is determined to correspond to customize a setting unit to be displayed on the display unit a setting screen for setting the property of the device driver,
Obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to a property of the set the device driver by said setting means,
Display control means for causing the display means to display a user interface based on the property of the device driver set by the setting means for the data acquired by the acquisition means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing technique capable of creating a customized driver installation set without installing a printer driver and improving work efficiency.

  Alternatively, according to the present invention, even if the printer driver is for an OS that does not support customization, it is possible to create a customization driver that reflects customization desired by the user. It is possible to provide information processing technology that can improve work efficiency.

[First embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a method for customizing a printer driver of Windows (registered trademark), which is an OS (Operating System) for PC manufactured by Microsoft (registered trademark), will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This print processing system includes an information processing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “host computer”) 3000 and a printer 1500 that receives print data from the host computer 3000 and performs printing.

  In the host computer 3000, the CPU 1 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 4 according to a program stored in the RAM 2. The RAM 2 also functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1. The ROM 3 stores various programs and data, and is divided into a font ROM 3a that stores various fonts, a program ROM 3b that stores a boot program, BIOS, and the like, and a data ROM 3c that stores various data.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (mouse) (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. A disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk. The printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via the bidirectional interface 21 and performs communication control processing with the printer 1500.

  The external memory 11 is, for example, a hard disk (HD), an MO, or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and as shown in the drawing, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) 205 and various applications (for example, graphics, images, etc.). In addition to storing a document processing application program 201 that performs document processing in which characters, tables, and the like are mixed, and a print processing related program 204, a user file, an edit file, and the like are also stored. The print processing related program 204 is a program for generating print data described using a page description language, and can be used in common for a plurality of printers of the same series. The print processing related program 204 also includes a printer control command generation module (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) 2041 and a printer driver UI control module 2042.

  An application 201 including a customization tool program according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as “customization tool”) stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the CPU 1. Further, the CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font development (rasterization) process on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) on the CRT 10. Furthermore, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When the user executes printing, the user can open a print setting screen (controlled by the printer driver UI control module 2042), and perform settings for the printer driver 2041 including printer settings and print mode selection. .

  Next, the configuration of the printer 1500 will be described. The CPU 12 controls the overall operation of the printer 1500. The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is also used as an output information expansion area and an environment data storage area. The RAM 19 also includes an NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM) area, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The ROM 13 includes a font ROM 13a that stores various fonts, a program ROM 13b that stores a control program executed by the CPU 12, and a data ROM 13c that stores various data. The input unit 18 transmits / receives data to / from the host computer 3000. A printing unit interface (I / F) 16 controls an interface with a printing unit 17 that is a printer engine.

  The external memory 14 is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20 and includes an optional hard disk (HD), MO, floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), IC card, etc. Data, emulation program, form data, etc. are stored. When the external memory 14 such as a hard disk is not connected, information used by the host computer 3000 is stored in the data ROM 13c of the ROM 13. The external memory 14 is not limited to one and may include a plurality of external memories. For example, an external memory storing an optional font card, a program for interpreting a printer control language having a different language system, and the like in addition to the built-in font. You may be comprised so that two or more can be connected.

  The operation unit 1501 is provided with an operation panel that receives an operation by a user, and an operation switch, an LED display, and the like are arranged on the operation panel (not illustrated). Further, an NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM) (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel.

  The CPU 12 outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 via the printing unit interface 16 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 13 b of the ROM 13. Further, the CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and receives print data transmitted from the host computer 3000 and notifies the host computer 3000 of information in the printer 1500 and the like. It is configured to be possible.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 2 in a state where a predetermined application and a print processing related program are activated and programs and data are loaded into the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000.

  As shown in the figure, the RAM 2 is loaded with a BIOS 206, an OS 205, an application 201, a print processing related program 204, and related data 203. Furthermore, a free memory area 202 is also secured. As a result, the application 201 and the print processing related program 204 can be executed. Note that the printer driver UI control module 2042 (FIG. 1) in the print processing related program 204 displays a print setting screen on the CRT 10 in response to a print setting command by the user, and enables settings from the user using KB9 or the like. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a UI of the customization tool. The customization tool runs on Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003, and is compatible with Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME, Windows (registered trademark) NT4.0, and Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003. However, the gist of the present invention is not necessarily limited to these OSs, and a pseudo API (this content will be described later) is not necessarily installed. It goes without saying that the contents of simulating the operation of the API corresponding to the OS can be dealt with by changing or adding the setting of an argument for operating an individual function. Absent.

In FIG. 3, when the user designates “Open” in the menu 301, a dialog (not shown) for designating a folder of a driver set to be customized is displayed, and the storage destination of the driver to be customized is designated. it can. The designated folder is displayed in the display column 302, and the corresponding OS of the designated driver set is displayed in the display column 303.
In the list view 305, an identification display “On” is displayed for the printer model to be customized and the customized information. When the check box 310 is checked, the button 311 is enabled, and when the button 311 is pressed, a printer driver UI (FIG. 4) for customization is displayed, initial value settings for print settings (document properties), device settings (printer properties) Etc. can be set as initial values.

  When the check box 320 is checked, the button 321 is enabled, and when the button 321 is pressed, a UI (FIG. 5) for customizing the display method of the control on the printer driver UI is displayed, which is displayed on the printer driver UI for customization. You can set the display method of the control.

  By pressing the button 330, a dialog (not shown) for designating the creation destination of the customized driver is displayed, and the creation destination of the customized driver can be designated.

  When the user presses the button 340 after performing various settings, a printer driver customized according to the settings is created.

  FIG. 4 shows a printer driver UI (initial setting value customization UI) for initial setting value customization of a printer driver (hereinafter also simply referred to as “driver”) displayed when the button 311 is pressed in the UI of FIG.

  The customization tool functions as a setting unit of the information processing apparatus under the control of the CPU 1. The setting unit is, for example, a setting screen for setting document properties and device properties such as a UI screen shown in FIG. Is displayed on the CRT.

  In the printer driver of Windows (registered trademark) NT4.0 and Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003, the document property UI for setting a document and the printer property UI for setting a device are set to 1 at the same time. What is displayed in one UI screen cannot be displayed on a UI screen related to printer driver settings by normal installation. However, the customization printer driver UI according to the embodiment of the present invention is displayed by the customization tool using the module of the printer driver, and the document property UI for setting the document and the device setting are displayed. The UI of the printer property to be performed is displayed at the same time as one UI screen (FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, four types of UIs such as page setting 401, finishing 402, paper feed 403, and print quality 404 can be displayed as the document property UI, and the device setting 405 can be displayed as the printer property UI. is there. Through these UIs (401 to 405), it is possible to set the initial value of the document property and the initial value of the printer property.

  Further, regarding settings that are not to be customized, the UI shown in FIG. 4 is configured not to accept input of settings by the user, for example, by gray-out display as indicated by reference numeral 410.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a document property display control setting UI, which is displayed on the CRT 10 of the host computer 3000 when the button 321 is pressed in FIG. In the screen example shown in FIG. 5, display control can be set for five types of page settings 501, finishing 502, paper feed 503, print quality 504, and common 505. The page setting 501, finishing 502, paper feed 503, and print quality 504 can be set for display control corresponding to the document property UI shown in FIG. 4, and the common 505 is common to these display controls. The display control can be set.

  Reference numeral 506 specifically indicates the setting of the control item “Job Operations”, and can specify valid display (display as usual), invalid display (always disabled display), and non-display. Similarly, display of the document property UI can be controlled by individually setting valid, invalid, and non-display for other control items. Once you enter these settings, the customization tool writes to the GPD file. Note that the invalid display includes a display that is grayed out to disable the user's operation.

  The customization tool functions as a display control unit of the information processing apparatus under the control of the CPU 1, and the display control unit effectively displays items on the user interface (UI) based on the set document properties (including control items). , Invalid display or non-display can be controlled. The GPD file has almost the same data structure as the UPD file.

  Next, the basic operation of the customization tool will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In the execution of the basic operation, the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 in the host computer 3000 is the main operation.

  First, in step S601, when the user activates the customization tool, the customization tool is initialized. In step S602, the customization tool displays the UI screen described with reference to FIG. In step S603, when the user designates an installation set of the printer driver to be customized from the UI screen of FIG. 3, in step S604, the designated installation set is checked. The customization tool is instructed in the installation set check process from the description contents of the printer driver installation information file shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter referred to as “inf file”) (701, 710, 720 in FIG. 7). It is determined whether the OS is compatible with the installed set, and whether the designated printer driver is a printer driver compatible with customization by the customization tool.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the description content of an inf file describing installation information of the printer driver. This inf file includes module description information (not shown), and based on this module description information, the customization tool can specify the module that is performing the UI processing of the printer driver. In FIG. 7, 700 indicates a part of an inf file for Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME, 710 indicates a part of an inf file for Windows (registered trademark) NT4.0, and 720 indicates a Windows (registered). (Trademark) A part of inf file for 2000 / XP / Server2003 is shown. If the “Signature” setting 730 in the inf file 700 is a character string resource (“$ CHICAGO $”), the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 determines that the printer driver is for Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME. To do.

  Also, the customization tool uses Windows (registered) if the “Signature” setting (740, 750) in the inf file (710, 720) is a character string resource (“$ Windows (registered trademark) NT $”). Trademark) for NT4.0 or Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003, the customization tool determines that the driver is an inf file (710, 720). If “NT” is included in the setting character string resource of “DISK1” (760, 770) in the middle, it is determined for Windows (registered trademark) NT4.0, and if it is not included, Judged to be for Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003.

  Printer drivers that support customization include a character string resource in the inf file to indicate that, so the customization tool includes the character string resource in the printer driver inf file for identification. It is possible to determine whether or not customization is supported.

  Returning to FIG. 6, if the customization tool determines in step S605 that the printer driver does not support customization (S605-NO), the process proceeds to step S610, error processing is performed, and installation is performed again. The process returns to the setting instruction step (S603).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the printer driver supports customization (YES in step S605), the process proceeds to step S606, and the customization tool controls the CRTC 10 by controlling the CRTC 6. The UI screen described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 is displayed so that the printer driver can be customized. The settings input in FIGS. 3 to 5 are the customization data.

  The customized data includes various data. This includes control data for displaying / hiding control of the user interface of the device driver and setting values of the device driver as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the device mode (DEVMODE).

  Here, a state in which paper orientation (dmOrientation), paper size (dmPaperSize), paper width (dmPaperWidth), number of copies (dmCopies), and the like are stored is described. In addition, this DEVMODE data structure is stored in the registry. By reading and writing the DEVMODE data structure stored in this registry, the printer driver 2041 can read the default print setting environment and “favorites” described later and reflect them in the user interface.

  Here, “favorite” is a set of a plurality of print settings of the printer driver 2041. The user can obtain a desired operating environment by designating “favorites” consisting of this group of settings on the user interface of the printer driver 2041. For example, in the case of a user who often uses stamps and staples, a set of these staples and stamp settings is registered as a “favorite”, and by simply selecting this “favorite”, a plurality of settings can be set to desired values. Can be printed. Such data is stored as customization data, which is an example of property information, by the customization tool and written in a GPD file to be described later.

  When settings relating to printer driver customization are made through the UI screens of FIGS. 3 to 5 and customization is instructed (S607), the customization tool customizes based on the content (customization data) instructed on the UI screen. A driver (hereinafter also referred to as “customized driver”) creation process is performed. The customization data is set in a GPD file that is a file that can be read by the printer driver. When the printer driver is installed and set to the operating state, it reads the setting value in the GPD file. Then, the printer driver reflects the customized value in the GPD file to the printer driver. For example, frequently used print setting values (double-sided, 2-in-1 etc.) are preset in the printer driver. By simply installing a customized driver, the printer driver uses frequently used print setting values and customized default values for print settings that are set in the driver when the driver is instructed to return to the state before the operation. Will be set to.

  The customization tool functions as a generation unit of the information processing apparatus under the control of the CPU 1. The generation unit writes the set document property or device property in the information file of the printer driver (device driver), and the device driver Generate a customized driver (customized driver).

  That is, in the customization driver creation process, the customization tool copies the customization source installation set to the customization driver creation destination, and then copies the driver information file (this file is also referred to as the “UPD file”) included in the destination installation set. Create a customized driver by writing customization data to

  Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the data format of a driver information file (UPD file), which is one file constituting the printer driver. As shown in the figure, the UPD file includes a header 901, an ID definition 902, and data 903. The ID definition 902 stores a set of an ID of data stored in the data 903 and a storage position (address) of the data. The set is stored as a set corresponding to the number of IDs. In the customization tool according to the present embodiment, the data value corresponding to the ID defined for customization is changed. If the ID of customization data to be used is not defined in the ID definition 902, a new ID corresponding to the customization data is added to the ID definition 902.

  The UPD file exists for each corresponding device driver (printer driver) (for each model). Therefore, different customization can be performed for each model. For example, it is possible to customize a driver of another model by using a customized driver set corresponding to a certain model. In addition, since the ID definition 902 uses an ID for customization, it is possible to take over the settings of the printer driver customized before that to the new version of the printer driver.

  The customized printer driver reads the UPD file in which the customization data is written by the customization tool at the time of installation or first activation, and reads the data 903 stored in association with the predetermined ID of the ID definition 902 of the UPD file. Implemented as: For example, it is assumed that an ID indicating “CUSTUMIZED” and an address X as the data storage position are stored in the ID definition 902 in the UPD file created by the customization tool.

  The printer driver that supports customization is mounted in advance so that when ID information indicating “CUSTUMIZED” is stored in the ID definition 902 at the time of completion of installation or initial startup, an address corresponding to the information is read. Therefore, this printer driver reads the address X of the corresponding data from the ID definition when the ID is displayed in the ID definition 902 of the UPD file when the installation is completed or at the first activation. Subsequently, the printer driver further reads the data structure of the device mode, which is actual driver setting data, from the data 903 of the address X. Here, the address X may be an absolute address, or the head address of the data 903 is stored in the header 901 and the offset address from the head address of the data 903 is set in the address X. Good.

  The customization tool functions as a display control unit of the information processing apparatus under the control of the CPU 1, and the display control unit customizes information (for example, set through the UI of FIGS. 3 to 5 when the printer driver is activated). A user interface can be displayed on the CRT 10 by referring to the driver information file of the printer driver reflecting the display control of the control and the default value of the print setting information.

  In this embodiment, the customization tool uses, as customization data, initial value data relating to document properties for setting a document (data set by 401 to 404 in FIG. 4) and initial values relating to printer properties for setting a device. Data (set by 405 in FIG. 4) and data related to the display method of controls on the UI related to document properties (data set from the UI screen in FIG. 5) are written into the UPD file. The customized printer driver operates based on the customization information by reading the UPD file created by the customization tool when the installation is completed or at the first activation. Thereby, the operating environment of the customized printer driver can be easily constructed.

  That is, information processing for customizing a device driver (printer driver) for controlling a printing apparatus by setting properties (initial value data related to document properties for setting a document and initial value data related to printer properties for setting a device) The apparatus preferably includes a determination unit that determines whether the device driver supports customization, and if the determination by the determination unit determines that the device driver supports customization, the property setting of the document and the device A setting unit for displaying a setting screen (FIGS. 3 to 5) for property setting on the CRT 10, an acquisition unit for acquiring data corresponding to the set property of the device driver, and data acquired by the acquisition unit The document properties set by the setting section. Comprising a display control unit for displaying on the user interface based on the property of the I and devices.

  Alternatively, the information processing apparatus preferably acquires an acquisition unit that acquires a property including a print setting and a property including the print setting acquired by the acquisition unit without registering the device driver in an operating system so that the device driver can operate. A setting unit configured to set the device driver so that the driver can be read. In the information processing apparatus, each unit described above executes processing of each unit by executing a customization tool under the control of the CPU 1.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after the customization driver is created (S608), when the user gives an end instruction (S609), the operation of the customization tool is ended (S611).

  Next, processing for displaying a printer driver customization UI by the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the execution of this process, it is assumed that the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 in the host computer 3000 is the main operation.

  When the button 311 in FIG. 3 is pressed, the customization tool identifies the module that performs the UI processing of the printer driver based on the module description information included in the inf file and can be called from the customization tool. Then, it is loaded into the memory (S801).

  In step S802, the address of the function exported by the module of the printer driver is acquired (S802), and a structure for exchanging information between the customization tool and the printer driver corresponding to customization is obtained. A CSPL structure (not shown) is initialized (S803). Various information is stored in the CSPL structure so that UI control of the printer driver is possible even if it is not installed.

  In step S804, a property sheet (customization driver UI) is displayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the property sheet display function is called so that both property pages are displayed on one UI screen so that the document property and the printer property can be customized at the same time.

  When the customization driver UI is closed by the user, the information set in the customization driver UI is held in the CSPL structure. Therefore, the customization tool displays the printer driver information corresponding to the information in the CSPL structure. (Including DeviceOption structure and Devmode structure) (S805).

  The customization tool functions as an acquisition unit that acquires printer driver data corresponding to document properties or device properties (properties that can be set in the device driver) under the control of the CPU 1. The printer driver information can be acquired by holding data related to the setting and transferring data to and from a data holding unit (CSPL structure) capable of transferring data. At this time, the acquisition unit causes the data holding unit (CSPL structure) to hold data corresponding to the document property or the device property set on the UI screen (FIGS. 3 to 5), and the data holding unit (CSPL structure) Printer driver information corresponding to these properties is acquired from the CSPL structure) as customization setting information. Based on the customization setting information, the customization tool functioning as a display control unit causes the CRT 10 to display a user interface customized based on the set document property and device property.

  As customization setting information, printer property setting information is stored in the DeviceOption structure (not shown), document property setting information is stored in the Devmode structure (not shown), and the customization tool is stored in these. Current setting information is acquired as customization setting information.

  Thereafter, in step S806, the module loaded in the memory in the previous step S801 is unloaded, and the display of the customization driver UI is ended (S807).

  This processing flow is slightly different depending on the corresponding OS of the printer driver. For example, Windows (registered trademark) NT4.0 and Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003 use the OS mechanism called Common Property SheetUI to display the driver UI. The Common Property SheetUI function is called. On the other hand, in Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME, necessary pre-processing is performed, and the Property Sheet function is called to display the UI. However, the basic processing flow is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining calling of a Windows (registered trademark) API (Application Programming Interface) implemented by the printer driver. When the printer driver is installed, in the printer driver UI processing 1010, a Windows (registered trademark) API (simply shown as “API” in the figure) is called 1040 (during normal calling), and customization is supported. When the printer driver is not installed and the call is made from the customization tool, the pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API 1060 (simply shown as “pseudo API” in the drawing) is called (1050), and the correspondence relationship is established. A certain Windows (registered trademark) API process is simulated in a pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API, and the result is returned to the printer driver UI process 1010.

  1030 shown in FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the relationship between the Windows (registered trademark) API and the corresponding pseudo (registered trademark) API name (in the diagram, indicated as “API” and “pseudo API name”, respectively). It is assumed that the correspondence relationship can be set in advance in the installed printer driver. Normally, a program that controls the user interface of the printer driver calls a Windows (registered trademark) API in response to an input to the driver. In this embodiment, the Windows (registered trademark) API cannot be called in a state where the printer driver is not installed, but the pseudo API can be called.

  In the case of a call from the customization tool, the pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API simulates the processing of the Windows (registered trademark) API and returns the processing to the printer driver UI processing 1010 to the OS. When the printer driver is called as a normal driver UI after being installed, a normal Windows (registered trademark) API 1020 is called and the processing is returned to the printer driver UI processing 1010.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to calling a pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API (simply referred to as “pseudo API” in the figure). In the execution of this process, it is assumed that the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 in the host computer 3000 is the main operation.

  First, in step S1110, the customization tool receives the address information (hereinafter simply “address”) of the CSPL structure in which the printer handle (argument) included in the argument of the pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API is passed when calling from the customization tool. It is also referred to as “information”. In this determination method, since the top member of the CSPL structure indicates the size of the CSPL structure, the passed printer handle (argument) is referred to as the head address of the CSPL structure, and the CSPL structure is referred to. If it is equal to the size, the printer handle of the argument is determined to be the address of the CSPL structure (S1110-YES). The printer driver UI module stores the processing result, for example, the value of each item of the print setting input through the UI and the designation of the control display in the structure designated by the handle, and ends the processing.

  When the printer handle of the argument is not the address of the CSPL structure (S1110-NO), the operation of the normal printer driver is performed, so that the Windows (registered trademark) API (simply indicated as “API” in the figure) is used as it is. A call is made (S1120), and the process is terminated. The printer driver UI module stores the processing result, for example, the value of each item of the print setting input through the UI and the designation of the control display in the structure designated by the handle, and ends the processing.

  If it is determined in step S1110 that the printer handle of the argument matches the address of the CSPL structure (S1110-YES), the process proceeds to step S1130 to call from the customization tool, that is, the printer driver is not installed. In the state, call the Windows (registered trademark) API. In this case, since the Windows (registered trademark) API cannot be called without the printer driver installed, a process equivalent to the Windows (registered trademark) API is performed by the pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API (S1130). The process result is returned to the printer driver UI process 1010, and the process ends.

  Through the above processing, the customization tool functions as a selection unit of the information processing apparatus under the control of the CPU 1, and the selection unit is based on the address information (first address) held in the data holding unit (CSPL structure). The application program interface to be used (to be called) (Windows (registered trademark) API or pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API) is selected.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when a CSPL_GetVersionEx () function (see 1040 in FIG. 10B) is called from the printer driver as an example of the pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API. In executing this process, the printer driver UI is called by the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 in the host computer 3000, and further the CSPL_GetVersionEx () function is called. The Windows (registered trademark) API simulated by this function is Windows (registered trademark) GetVersionEx () (see Table 1030 in FIG. 10B), and this Windows (registered trademark) API is running on the host computer. A process of returning information related to the OS version to the process 1010 on the printer driver UI side is performed.

  First, in step S1210, the CSPL_GetVersionEx () function determines whether the printer handle that is an argument of the function is the address of the CSPL structure that is passed at the time of calling. This determination method is the same as the determination method described in step S1110 of FIG. If it is not the address of the CSPL structure (S1210-NO), the process proceeds to step S1220, and the GetVersionEx () function 1040, which is a Windows (registered trademark) API that operates as a normal printer driver, is called (S1220). Exit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1210 that the function argument matches the address of the CSPL structure (S1210—YES), the process proceeds to step S1230, and the printer driver stored in the CSPL structure is supported. Based on the OS information to be executed, the GetVersionEx () function process is simulated (a process equivalent to the GetVersionEx () function process is executed) (S 1230). In step S1230, the CSPL_GetVersionEx () function returns the same processing result as the GetVersionEx () function to the printer driver UI module. The same applies to other functions.

  For example, the application program interface (pseudo Windows (registered trademark) API) called in response to the document property or device property set from the UI screen of FIGS. Processes the printer driver for properties in a pseudo manner (executes processing equivalent to that of Windows (registered trademark) API).

  After the process of step S1230 or step S1220, the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereby, for example, when the processing related to the UI control of the driver module of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME is performed by a call from the customization tool, the OS that is actually operating is the Windows supported by the customization tool. (Registered Trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003, but the CSPL structure contains information that Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME is supported as an OS supported by the driver module. As a result, a value of “Windows (registered trademark) ME” is returned so that the UI control processing of the driver module of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME does not fail.

  That is, the target of customization is a printer driver of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME and driver information (for example, an INF file and a driver user interface module). In this embodiment, the customization tool corresponds to Windows (registered trademark) 2000 / XP / Server 2003, and the environment in which the customization tool is executed is controlled by one of these OSs. Since the CSPL structure is initialized in step S803 of FIG. 8, for example, information indicating that it is Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME is written in the CSPL structure as data indicating the version of the OS. As a result, the CSPL structure includes information (OS version information) that the OS supported by the driver module is Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME. In step S1230, the CSPL_GetVersionEx () function accesses the OS version information of the CSPL structure, and returns a value of “Windows (registered trademark) ME” to the call source printer driver UI module.

  The same applies to other pseudo Windows (registered trademark) APIs, and since the printer driver is not actually installed, inconvenience occurs in the UI control of the driver module by calling the Windows (registered trademark) API. Even if it happens, the operation of the Windows (registered trademark) API can be virtually reflected in the UI control by simulating the processing of the Windows (registered trademark) API by the processing in the pseudo function (pseudo API). Is possible.

  Although not explicitly shown, the printer driver of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME is originally a module that operates in a 16-bit environment. Therefore, the UI processing is also performed in a 16-bit environment. However, the printer driver of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME that is the target of this embodiment uses a OS mechanism called thunk-up for UI processing over 16-bit environment in the UI processing, and the 32-bit environment. The UI is actually processed. For this reason, from the customization tool of this embodiment, a UI processing function that operates in a 32-bit environment that performs actual UI processing can be called to display and control the UI of Windows (registered trademark) 98 / ME. It can be done relatively easily.

  That is, the customization tool acquires properties including print settings. Then, the customization tool sets the property including the print setting acquired by the customization tool in the device driver so that the device driver can be read without registering the device driver to be operable in the operating system. be able to. At the time of the setting, the device driver is stored in the user area of the file system managed by the operating system. The above-mentioned “registration ready for operation” means, for example, registration and installation in a registry area managed by the operating system so that the operating system can recognize the driver, using the authority of the operating system administrator.

  The above-described processing is executed by a customization tool that is an example of an application program. The customization tool further responds to the device driver on behalf of the operating system for the input of information via the device driver.

  Since there is a pseudo proxy response of this customization tool, the device driver recognizes the response from the application as a response from the operating system without falling into error processing, and then sets it by the input from the user. continue processing.

  Further, the customization tool is configured by a pseudo API for the printer driver. Furthermore, the customization tool can set properties including the print settings for device drivers for a plurality of types of operating systems (for example, Windows (registered trademark) NT, Windows (registered trademark) 95).

  Properties are stored in a UPD file by the customization tool. The created UPD file constitutes an installation set together with a printer driver to be customized, a printer driver UI module, and an inf file. The created installation set is distributed to client computers via a recording medium or a communication medium. The installer executes the installation according to the description of the inf file. The installer copies the value corresponding to each setting item read from the UPD file as the value of the corresponding item in the devmode structure or deviceOption structure. The printer driver and the printer driver UI module operate by referring to the value of each item stored in the devmode structure or deviceOption structure.

  The customization tool can set information related to print settings acquired by the customization tool with a single instruction for a plurality of device drivers.

  As described above, the pseudo-API in the present embodiment means that the device is an illusion that the device driver is installed in an operating state by imitating the operating environment of the device driver. Let the driver wake you up. If the customization tool does not respond to the device driver in a pseudo manner, the device driver shifts to error processing. Thereby, the customization process by the customization tool can be continued without installing the device driver.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of UI control processing regarding printer driver property settings corresponding to customization. In the execution of this process, it is assumed that the customization tool executed by the CPU 1 in the host computer 3000 is the main operation. In the procedure of FIG. 13, the pseudo API function shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is called, and property sheet display, parameter acquisition, and setting value input are realized.

  First, in step S1300, when a UI control instruction is input, the customization tool is activated, and in step S1310, UI initialization processing is performed. If the customization information related to UI display is in the driver information file shown in FIG. 9 in step S1320 (S1320-YES), the process proceeds to step S1330, and the display control (Disable control, Hide control) on the UI is given as an instruction. ) To enter a user operation standby state (S1340). On the other hand, if there is no driver information file (S1320-NO), the process of step S1330 is skipped, and a user operation standby state is set (S1340).

  After that, it waits until the user's operation is performed (S1340), and when the operation for closing the UI is performed (S1350-YES), the UI processing is ended (S1370), and when it is another operation ( (S1350-NO), UI control corresponding to the user's operation is performed (S1360), and the process returns to step S1320.

  Accordingly, the customization data related to the control display method instructed in FIG. 5 is held in the driver information file shown in FIG. 9, so that UI control can be displayed according to the customization data.

  In this embodiment, customization information is written in a driver information file called a UPD file. However, as long as the printer driver can refer to the file and can be analyzed, the form is limited to the UPD file. is not. Accordingly, in Longhorn, which is the next Windows (registered trademark), a GPD file is standard as a driver information file for a printer driver. However, customization information may be incorporated in this file.

  According to the present embodiment, without installing a printer driver, a customized driver installation set is created by reflecting customization desired by the user, and installation of a printer driver corresponding to an individual OS is not required. It becomes possible to improve the working efficiency. The property information input from the UI is saved again in the printer driver information file (UPD file) via the CSPL structure. At this time, the customization code 350 of FIG. 3 is stored in the printer driver information file together with a predetermined identification code.

  Even if the printer driver is for an OS that does not support customization, if a single customization completion instruction is issued for a plurality of printer drivers after the printer driver customization operation, the customization desired by the user is reflected. Customized drivers can be created.

  Further, since customization of the initial setting value of the printer driver can be performed using a UI equivalent to the UI of the printer driver, the initial setting operation for customization can be easily performed. By reflecting the contents of customization set using such UI and controlling the effective display, invalid display, and non-display of display items, the user's work efficiency and the convenience of operation can be improved. Become.

  Since the customized driver has the same configuration as an installation set of uncustomized drivers, even in the so-called Point & Print environment in Microsoft (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark) operating system, or Longhorn, the next OS It can operate as a customized driver, and the versatility of the customized driver can be improved.

[Other embodiments]
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to perform a computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above (FIGS. 6, 8, and 11 to 13).

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of the RAM 2 in a state where a predetermined application and a print processing related program are activated and programs and data are loaded into the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates UI of a customization tool. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver UI for initial setting value customization. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates document property display control setting UI. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process of the basic operation | movement in a customization tool. FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying description contents of an inf file describing installation information of a printer driver. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for displaying a printer driver customization UI. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a data format of a UPD file constituting a printer driver. It is a figure explaining the call of the application program interface (API) which the printer driver is mounted. It is a figure which shows the relationship between pseudo API corresponding to API. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process regarding the call of pseudo | simulated Windows (trademark) API. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of calling a CSPL_GetVersionEx () function as an example of pseudo | simulated Windows (trademark) API. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a UI control processing flow regarding printer driver property settings corresponding to customization. It is a figure which shows an example of the customization data of a device driver.

Claims (35)

Acquisition means for acquiring properties including print settings;
Setting means without workable register the device driver, the properties including print setting acquired by the acquisition unit, set for the device driver to the operating system,
An information processing apparatus comprising: The processing in the acquisition unit and the setting unit is executed by an application program,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application program further includes response means for responding to the device driver on behalf of an operating system in response to input of information via the device driver. .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the device driver recognizes a response from the application program as a response from an operating system and continues processing after the response. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the response unit includes a pseudo application program interface for a device driver.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit can set properties including the print settings for a plurality of types of operating system device drivers.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to print settings acquired by the acquisition unit can be set for a plurality of device drivers by a single instruction. An information processing device that customizes a device driver that controls a printing device by setting properties,
Determining means for determining whether the device driver supports customization;
The discrimination of the discriminating means, when the device driver is determined to correspond to customize a setting unit to be displayed on the display unit a setting screen for setting the property of the device driver,
Obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to a property of the set the device driver by said setting means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: display control means for causing the display means to display a user interface based on the property of the device driver set by the setting means for the data obtained by the obtaining means.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display control unit controls effective display, invalid display, or non-display of an item in the user interface based on the property set by the setting unit. Holding data relating to the setting of the device driver, further comprising the acquisition means and a data holding means capable of transferring the data;
The acquisition unit stores data corresponding to the property set by the setting unit in the data holding unit, and acquires information of the device driver corresponding to the property as customization setting information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a selection unit that selects an application program interface to be used based on address information held in the data holding unit. 11. The application program interface called in correspondence with the set device driver property pseudo-processes processing in the device driver for the set device driver property. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a generation means for writing the properties of the set device driver information file of the device driver, to generate a driver customized the device driver.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display control unit displays the user interface with reference to an information file of the device driver when the device driver is activated. An acquisition process to acquire properties including print settings;
A setting step for setting a property including the print setting acquired by the acquisition step in the device driver without registering the device driver to be operable in the operating system;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: The processing in the acquisition step and the setting step is executed by an application program,
The application program further information according to claim 14, wherein for the input of information via the device driver, and wherein Rukoto that on behalf the operating system having a response step for responding to said device driver Processing method.   16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the device driver recognizes a response from the application program as a response from an operating system and continues the subsequent processing. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the response step is executed by a pseudo application program interface for the device driver.   15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the setting step can set properties including the print settings for a plurality of types of operating system device drivers.   The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein information related to print settings acquired by the acquisition step can be set for a plurality of device drivers with a single instruction. An information processing method for customizing a device driver for controlling a printing device by setting properties,
A determination step of determining whether the device driver supports customization;
The determination of the determination step, when the device driver is determined to correspond to customize a setting step of displaying on the display unit a setting screen for performing the property settings of the the property settings of the document device driver ,
An acquisition step of acquiring data corresponding to the property of the device driver set in the setting step ;
Has been the data acquired by the acquisition step, a Rukoto a user interface based on the property setting property settings and the device driver of the document set by the setting step having a display control step of displaying on said display means A characteristic information processing method.   21. The information according to claim 20, wherein the display control step controls effective display, invalid display, or non-display of items in the user interface based on the property of the document set by the setting step. Processing method. To hold data relating to setting of the device driver to the data holding means, in the processing in the acquiring step further includes a data holding step of performing transfer of the data,
The acquisition step stores data corresponding to the property of the device driver set in the setting step in the data holding unit by the processing of the data holding step, and customizes the information of the device driver corresponding to the property. 21. The information processing method according to claim 20, wherein the information is acquired as setting information. Based on the address information held in said data holding means by the processing of the data holding step, the information processing according to claim 22, wherein the further Yusuke Rukoto a selection step of selecting an application program interface used Method. The application program interface that is called in response to the set device driver property artificially processes the device driver for the set device driver property. Information processing method. The information processing method according to claim 20, characterized in further Yusuke Rukoto a generating step of writing the properties of the set device driver information file of the device driver, to generate a driver customized the device driver .   21. The information processing method according to claim 20, wherein the display control step refers to an information file of the device driver when the device driver is activated, and causes the display unit to display the user interface. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method , wherein the information processing method includes:
An acquisition process to acquire properties including print settings;
A setting step for setting a property including the print setting acquired by the acquisition step in the device driver without registering the device driver to be operable in the operating system;
A storage medium comprising: A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method for customizing a device driver for controlling a printing apparatus by setting properties, the information processing method comprising:
A determination step of determining whether the device driver supports customization;
The determination of the determination step, when the device driver is determined to correspond to customize a setting step of displaying on the display unit a setting screen for performing the property settings of the the property settings of the document device driver ,
An acquisition step of acquiring data corresponding to the property of the set device driver;
Storing the data obtained by the obtaining step, and wherein Rukoto a user interface based on the property and the device property of the document set by the setting step having a display control step of displaying on said display means Medium. In an information processing device that customizes device drivers,
Activating means for activating the user interface of the device driver using a pseudo application programming interface (API) that mimics the function of the operating system;
Obtaining means for obtaining an input through a user interface of the device driver activated by the activation means using the pseudo API;
Setting means for setting print settings corresponding to the input acquired by the acquisition means for the device driver;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The setting unit sets the print setting so that the setting unit includes an installation set including the device driver associated with the print setting corresponding to the input acquired by the acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 29. 30. The information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the setting unit sets the print setting for the device driver in a state where the device driver is not installed. In an information processing method in an information processing apparatus for customizing a device driver,
An activation step of activating a user interface of the device driver using a pseudo application programming interface (API) that mimics the function of an operating system;
An acquisition step of acquiring an input via a user interface of the device driver activated by the activation step using the pseudo API;
A setting step for setting print settings corresponding to the input acquired by the acquisition step for the device driver;
An information processing method according to claim Rukoto to have a. The setting step sets the print setting so that the setting step is an installation set including the device driver associated with the print setting corresponding to the input acquired by the acquisition step. An information processing method according to claim 32. The information processing method according to claim 32, wherein the setting step sets the print setting for the device driver in a state where the device driver is not installed. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method in an information processing apparatus for customizing a device driver, the information processing method comprising:
An activation step of activating a user interface of the device driver using a pseudo application programming interface (API) that mimics the function of an operating system;
An acquisition step of acquiring an input via a user interface of the device driver activated by the activation step using the pseudo API;
A setting step for setting print settings corresponding to the input acquired by the acquisition step for the device driver;
Storage medium characterized Rukoto to have a.

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