JP5867993B2 - Print control apparatus, print control method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print setting method, and a computer program.

  In recent years, XPS (XML Paper Specification) has been proposed as one of electronic document formats. XPS has three hierarchies: FixedDocumentSequence, FixedDocument, and FixedPage. When creating XPS data, the data creator can associate a print setting file called a print ticket with each of the three layers.

  As a technique for printing an electronic document including print settings represented by XPS data, there are printing via a printer driver and printing by direct printing. In printing via a printer driver, a host computer such as a PC converts an electronic document into data recognizable by the printing device via a printer driver installed on the host computer, sends the data to the printing device, and receives this data. This is a technology for printing by the printing apparatus. Note that PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830 proposes a print setting program that displays the print settings of a print ticket in XPS data as default setting values of a printer driver.

  Printing by direct printing is a technique in which a host computer that functions as a print control apparatus transmits an electronic document directly to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus interprets and prints the received electronic document. Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for directly printing an electronic document via a network. Specifically, Patent Document 2 proposes a printing apparatus in which a printing apparatus receives a print setting by Email from a user and performs a printing process using the received print setting.

JP 2009-163626 A JP 2006-150886 A

  When printing an electronic document including print settings by direct printing, such as XPS, the user creates XPS data in which a print ticket in which print settings are written so that a desired output result can be obtained in advance is created. Set XPS data for the printing device.

  Generally, at the time of data creation, since a printing device that outputs data is often not determined, it is desirable to describe print settings that do not depend on a specific printing device. For each printing apparatus, the user creates XPS data including a print ticket in which print settings that do not depend on a specific printing apparatus are described, and then additionally sets print settings according to the individual printing apparatuses. For example, the user additionally sets print settings using an additional setting UI such as a direct UI for remote printing provided by a print control apparatus such as a host computer. At the time of direct printing, the printing apparatus prints by combining the print setting indicated by the print ticket in the XPS data and the additionally set print setting, but the print settings may not be consistent with each other.

  For example, there is a case where the paper size set in the print ticket is a paper size that cannot be bookbinding printed, and bookbinding printing is specified by additional settings. In this case, it is conceivable that the printing apparatus performs recovery processing. However, if the bookbinding print setting has a higher priority than the paper size setting, the printing device replaces the paper size set in the print ticket with a paper size that can be bound, and then performs print output processing. Do. That is, there arises a problem that the print setting set in the print ticket becomes invalid. In addition, when a combination of print settings that is not assumed by the printing apparatus occurs in the print settings described in the XPS data, there is also a problem that the printing apparatus performs an error operation.

  The present invention provides a print control apparatus that determines print settings that can be additionally set so that the print settings are consistent with each other in accordance with the interpretation result of the print setting contents included in the electronic document. Objective.

A print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a print control apparatus that performs print settings for an electronic document, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires an electronic document, and a plurality of different print settings included in the acquired electronic document. A print setting interpreting unit that interprets and extracts a valid print setting; and the extracted valid print setting, and controls the valid print setting so that it cannot be changed as selected or includes the valid print setting Based on the setting control information for controlling the additional setting based on the consistency relationship between the print settings, the print setting determining means for determining the print setting that can be additionally set in the electronic document, and the additional setting in the electronic document cannot be performed. display control means for displaying to allow identifying the print settings, from the additional configurable print setting said determined selection means for selecting a print setting set additional, the preparative Comprising the electronic document was, and transmission means for transmitting the print setting including print setting to a valid print settings that said selected additional settings that the extracted to the printing apparatus.

  According to the print control apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to determine print settings that can be additionally set so that the print settings are consistent with each other. For example, setting items that can be additionally set can be limited so that valid print settings included in the print ticket are always valid. This can prevent the operation of the printing apparatus that interprets the print settings from becoming unstable.

It is a figure explaining the system configuration example of this embodiment, and the function of a host computer. It is a flowchart explaining the operation processing of a host computer. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a RemoteUI screen. It is a figure which shows the file structural example of an XPS file. It is a figure which shows the example of XPS data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print setting interpretation processing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration example of this embodiment and functions of a host computer. FIG. 1A shows a system configuration example of the present embodiment. The system shown in FIG. 1A includes a printing apparatus 1 and host computers 2 and 3. Each host computer and the printing apparatus 1 are connected via a network 4. The network 4 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The system of this embodiment performs printing by direct printing. That is, the host computer performs print settings for the electronic document, transmits the electronic document directly to the printing apparatus 1, and the printing apparatus 1 interprets and prints the received electronic document.

  The printing apparatus 1 is an image forming apparatus that forms image data. The printing apparatus 1 is, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Printer). The printing apparatus 1 may be an SFP (Single Function Printer) or an LBP (Laser Beam Printer). Further, the printing apparatus 1 may be a printer with a printing method other than the printing method corresponding to the MFP, SFP, or LBP.

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a reader device (reader unit) 11, a printer device (printer unit) 12, an operation unit 13, an image storage unit 14, and a control device (controller unit) 15. The control device 15 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 152, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 151. The CPU 151 performs overall control of the entire printing apparatus 1 based on a program stored in the ROM 152 or other storage medium.

  The CPU 151 interprets the electronic document (XPS data) received by the printing apparatus 1 from the host computers 2 and 3. The interpretation of the electronic document includes interpretation of print setting information included in the electronic document. The CPU 151 generates image data based on the interpretation result of the electronic document. Then, the CPU 151 causes the printer device 12 to output the generated image data. The RAM 153 is used as a work area for the CPU 151. The reader device 11 executes image data reading processing. The printer device 12 executes image data output processing using a printer engine. The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard for inputting / outputting image data, and a liquid crystal panel for displaying / setting image data and various functions. The image storage unit 14 stores / saves data such as electronic documents and image data.

  The host computers 2 and 3 are print control apparatuses that perform print settings for an electronic document that is a print processing target by the printing apparatus 1. The host computers 2 and 3 perform print settings for the electronic document, and transmit the electronic document to the printing apparatus 1 via the LAN 4. The host computer 2 and the host computer 3 have the same function. Note that the user may input an electronic document that has been set by the host computers 2 and 3 to the printing apparatus 1 using a portable medium such as a USB memory.

  FIG. 1B is an example of a functional block diagram of the host computer 2 shown in FIG. The host computer 2 includes a print setting interpretation unit 21, a print setting determination unit 22, an additional setting unit 23, a data transmission unit 24, a data storage unit 25, and a UI (User Interface) unit 26. The data storage unit 25 stores in advance an electronic document including print settings. In the present embodiment, the electronic document stored in advance by the data storage unit 25 is XPS data. The XPS data stored in the data storage unit 25 is, for example, XPS data created by a predetermined electronic document creation unit (not shown) included in the host computer 2 or an external device.

  The print setting interpretation unit 21 functions as a print setting interpretation unit that interprets print settings included in the electronic document in the data storage unit 25 and extracts valid print settings. The print setting determination unit 22 functions as a print setting determination unit that determines print settings that can be additionally set in the electronic document based on the extracted effective print settings and setting control information. The setting control information is information relating to print setting control. The setting control information is, for example, information that controls the extracted effective print settings as selected (set) so that they cannot be changed.

  Further, the setting control information may be information related to the consistency relationship between the print settings including the extracted effective print settings. For example, the setting control information may be information that controls so that bookbinding printing cannot be additionally set as a print setting when a plurality of types of paper sizes are mixed as valid print settings. Further, the setting control information may be information that controls so that when the effective print setting has a predetermined output resolution, the print setting corresponding to the predetermined image processing at this output resolution cannot be additionally set. Good.

  The additional setting unit 23 functions as an additional setting unit that additionally sets the print setting for the electronic document (XPS data) based on the print setting that can be additionally set determined by the print setting determination unit 22. The data transmission unit 24 transmits the XPS data in which the print setting is additionally set by the additional setting unit 23 to the printing apparatus 1 via the network 4. The UI unit 26 displays a Remote UI screen. The Remote UI screen is a screen used by the host computer 2 to input print settings in response to user operation input and to set the print settings in XPS data. Specifically, the UI unit 26 functions as a print setting display unit that displays print settings that can be additionally set. The print setting method and the computer program according to the present embodiment are realized by, for example, functions of a processing unit included in the host computer 2 illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining operation processing of the host computer according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A shows the entire operation process of the host computer. FIG. 2B is a flowchart for explaining the print setting interpretation processing in step S4 of FIG.

  First, the UI unit 26 of the host computer 2 displays a Remote UI screen on a display (not shown) provided in the host computer 2 (step S1). The UI unit 26 displays a Remote UI screen for performing print setting on the XPS data transmitted to the printing apparatus 1. For this purpose, the UI unit 26 inputs address information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the printing apparatus 1 to a Web browser installed in the host computer 2.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the Remote UI screen. FIG. 3A is a Remote UI screen displayed by the UI unit 26 in step S1 of FIG. By selecting a setting item displayed on this screen, the user can select a file to be directly printed or make additional settings. Each setting item will be briefly described below. In “File name”, information indicating an electronic document to be directly printed is input. For “paper size”, a standard paper size such as A4, A3, LTR, or LGR is selected from the pull-down menu. “Output resolution” selects the setting of the output resolution with a check box. “Double-sided control” selects single-sided printing or double-sided printing using a check box. “Bookbinding designation” selects the presence / absence of a print setting called bookbinding printing using a check box. “Staple” is a check box for selecting the presence or absence of stapling. In the “stapling position”, a stapling position when “performing” “stapling” such as upper left, lower left and saddle stitching is selected by pull-down. In “image processing 1” and “image processing 2”, whether or not to perform image processing 1 and 2 is selected by a check box. “Image processing 2” is a setting item that is effective only when the output resolution is 600 dpi, for example. For example, it is described in advance in the setting control information that the image processing 2 is a setting item that is valid only when the output resolution is 600 dpi. When the user presses a “print start” button, the data transmission unit 24 transmits the electronic document to the printing apparatus 1 and the printing apparatus 1 starts printing. The content described here is an example, and the setting method and setting items may be different.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, when the user inputs the file name of the electronic document in “File name” on the Remote UI screen, the UI unit 26 selects the electronic document to be printed (step S2). Subsequently, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines whether the selected electronic document includes print settings (step S3). For example, the print setting interpretation unit 21 searches data in the electronic document and checks whether the electronic document includes a print setting file. Alternatively, the print setting interpretation unit 21 checks whether the format of the electronic document can include print settings. If the electronic document includes a print setting file or a format of the electronic document that can include the print setting, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines that the electronic document includes the print setting. If the electronic document does not include the print setting file and the electronic document format is not capable of including the print setting, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines that the electronic document does not include the print setting. If the electronic document does not include print settings, the process proceeds to step S7. If the electronic document includes print settings, the print setting interpretation unit 21 executes print setting interpretation processing (step S4).

  FIG. 2B is a flowchart for explaining the print setting interpretation process in step S4 of FIG. First, the print setting interpretation unit 21 interprets the configuration file of the electronic document (step S41). Specifically, the print setting interpretation unit 21 interprets the file configuration of the XPS file (XPS data configuration file).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a file configuration example of an XPS file. The XPS file 100 has three layers. The first layer is a FixedDocumentSequence 101. The second hierarchy is a FixedDocument 111. The third hierarchy is FixedPage1 (121) and FixedPage2 (131). PrintTicket (102, 112, 122, 132) in which print settings are described is associated with each layer. Specifically, Job-PT 102 is associated with FixedDocumentSequence 101. The Doc-PT 112 is associated with the FixedDocument 111. Page1-PT122 is associated with FixedPage1 (121). Further, Page2-PT132 is associated with FixedPage2 (131).

  If print settings described by the PrintTicket include print settings that overlap each other, the print settings described by the PrintTicket corresponding to the lower layer are set with priority. That is, the print setting described by Page-PT 122 and 132 has priority over the print setting described by Doc-PT 112. Further, the print setting described by Doc-PT 112 has priority over the print setting described by Job-PT 102. The degree of indicating which print setting is preferentially set is hereinafter referred to as priority. A print setting with a higher priority is set with priority. The priority is determined in advance.

  Returning to FIG. 2B, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines the validity of the print settings included in the electronic document based on the interpretation result of the configuration file in step S41 and the priority (step S42). . In step S42, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines whether the print setting included in the XPS data is a valid print setting, that is, an invalid print setting that cannot be set. Specifically, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines valid print settings based on the overlapping relationship between the settings for the same type of print settings among the print settings included in the XPS data. For example, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines that the print settings are not valid when the same type of print settings overlap, and determines that the print settings are valid when the same type of print settings do not overlap. If the print settings overlap, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines valid print settings based on the priority corresponding to the print settings. Specifically, the print setting interpretation unit 21 sets the print setting with the lower priority among the duplicate print settings as the invalid print setting, and sets the print setting with the higher priority as the valid print setting.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of XPS data. As an example of the XPS data to be processed, the XPS data shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B will be described. The XPS data shown in FIG. 5 includes print settings corresponding to each of Page1-PT, Page2-PT, Doc-PT, and Job-PT. The XPS data shown in FIG. 5A has no overlapping print settings. Accordingly, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines that the settings of the output resolution “1200 dpi” and the paper sizes “A4” and “A3” are all valid print settings. In the XPS data shown in FIG. 5B, the output resolution setting “1200 dpi” and “600 dpi” overlap. In this embodiment, the print setting described by the PrintTicket corresponding to the lower layer has a higher priority. Accordingly, the print setting interpretation unit 21 sets “600 dpi” as an effective print setting and “1200 dpi” as an invalid print setting for the output resolution.

  Returning to FIG. 2B, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists the print settings determined to be valid in step S42 (step S43). For example, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists the output resolution “1200 dpi” and the paper sizes “A4” and “A3” that are determined to be valid print settings based on the XPS data shown in FIG. Up. Further, for example, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines that the print setting is valid based on the XPS data shown in FIG. 5B, the output resolution “600 dpi”, and the paper sizes “A4” and “A3”. To list. Then, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, the print setting determination unit 22 controls the print settings to be set on the Remote UI screen based on the valid print settings and the setting control information listed by the print setting interpretation unit 21. It is determined whether it is necessary (step S5). When the setting control information indicates that effective print settings have been selected (set) and cannot be changed, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the following processing. The print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to control the print settings set on the Remote UI screen, that is, it is necessary to set valid print settings. For example, the settings of output resolution “1200 dpi” and paper sizes “A4” and “A3” are listed as valid print settings based on the XPS data shown in FIG. Does the following: The print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to set the output resolution “1200 dpi” and the paper sizes “A4” and “A3”.

  Further, when the setting control information indicates that the bookbinding printing cannot be additionally set as the print setting when a plurality of paper sizes are mixed as valid print settings, the print setting determination unit 22 The following processing is performed. The print setting determination unit 22 needs to control print settings when valid print settings include a plurality of types of paper sizes and the setting items that can be set on the Remote UI screen include “bookbinding designation”. Judge. Specifically, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that bookbinding printing corresponding to “bookbinding designation” cannot be selected. For example, the effective print settings listed based on the XPS data shown in FIG. 5A include a plurality of types of paper sizes of paper size “A4” and paper size “A3”. Accordingly, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that bookbinding printing cannot be selected on the Remote UI screen.

  Further, when the setting control information indicates that a staple can be specified for a plurality of types of paper sizes but “staple position” cannot be selected, the print setting determination unit 22 performs control so that the “staple position” cannot be selected. Is determined to be necessary. Since the effective print settings listed based on the XPS data shown in FIG. 5A include a plurality of types of paper sizes, the print setting determination unit 22 cannot select “staple position” on the Remote UI screen. It is determined that control is necessary.

  Further, for example, when the effective print setting is the output resolution “1200 dpi”, the setting control information indicates that the print setting corresponding to performing image processing 2 at this output resolution is controlled so as not to be additionally set. At that time, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the following processing. The print setting determination unit 22 determines that the print setting needs to be controlled when the effective print setting includes the output resolution “1200 dpi” and the setting items that can be set on the Remote UI screen include “image processing 2”. To do. Specifically, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that image processing corresponding to “image processing 2” cannot be selected.

  The valid print settings listed based on the XPS data shown in FIG. 5A include an output resolution “1200 dpi”. Accordingly, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that it is not possible to select image processing corresponding to “image processing 2” on the Remote UI screen. Whether the print setting determination unit 22 needs to control the print settings by performing a simulation to reflect the listed valid print settings in the Remote UI settings and checking using a predetermined standard regarding the print settings. May be determined. If it is not necessary to control the print setting set on the Remote UI screen, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is necessary to control the print settings set on the Remote UI screen, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Next, the print setting determination unit 22 determines print settings that can be additionally set by controlling print settings that are set on the Remote UI screen (step S6). For example, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the following process based on the determination process in step S5 based on the valid print settings listed from the XPS data illustrated in FIG. The print setting determination unit 22 sets the output resolution “1200 dpi” and the paper sizes “A4” and “A3”. Specifically, the print setting determination unit 22 instructs the UI unit 26 to display the first gray-out display for setting the output resolution and the paper size on the Remote UI screen in FIG. The first gray-out display indicates that the setting in which the first gray-out display is performed is already set (selected). Further, the print setting determining unit 22 performs control so that bookbinding printing cannot be selected. Specifically, the print setting determination unit 22 instructs the UI unit 26 to cause the second gray-out display for the “bookbinding designation” setting on the Remote UI screen in FIG. The second gray-out display indicates that the setting with the second gray-out display cannot be executed. Note that the first grayout display and the second grayout display may be the same grayout display. The gray-out display when the first gray-out display and the second gray-out display are the same gray-out display indicates that the print setting displayed in the gray-out cannot be set.

  Similarly, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display on the “staple position” so that the staple position cannot be selected. Further, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display for the setting of “image processing 2” so that the image processing corresponding to “image processing 2” cannot be selected. The print setting determination unit 22 determines “double-sided control”, “stapling”, and “image processing 1” as print settings that can be additionally set through the above-described print setting control. The UI unit 26 displays the print setting control result and the print settings that can be additionally set on the Remote UI screen (see FIG. 3B).

  The print setting determination unit 22 performs the following processing based on the determination processing in step S5 based on valid printing listed from the XPS data shown in FIG. 5B, for example. The print setting determination unit 22 displays the first gray-out for the settings of the output resolution (set to “600 dpi”) and the paper size (“A4” and “A3” already set) on the RemoteUI screen of FIG. To set these print settings. Further, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display for the “bookbinding designation” setting so that bookbinding printing cannot be selected. In addition, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display for the “staple position” so that the staple position cannot be selected. The print setting determination unit 22 determines “double-sided control”, “stapling”, “image processing 1”, and “image processing 2” as print settings that can be additionally set through the above-described print setting control. The UI unit 26 displays the print setting control result and the print settings that can be additionally set on the Remote UI screen (see FIG. 3C).

  Returning to FIG. 2A, the additional setting unit 23 performs additional setting of the print setting (step S7). Specifically, when the user selects print settings that can be additionally set on the Remote UI screen, the additional setting unit 23 additionally sets print settings according to the user's selection operation. As a result, all the print settings to be interpreted by the printing apparatus 1 are set in the XPS data. This print setting includes a print setting that has been additionally set and a print setting that has been set before the additional setting. Then, the data transmission unit 24 transmits the XPS data to the printing apparatus 1 via the network 4 (step S8), and the process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation process of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 receives XPS data via the network 4 (step S51). Subsequently, the control device 15 of the printing apparatus 1 interprets the received XPS data (step S52). Specifically, the control device 15 creates intermediate data called a display list and interprets print setting contents included in the XPS data. Subsequently, the control device 15 performs RIP (Raster Image Processing) processing based on the display list created in step S52, and generates image data (step S53).

  Subsequently, the printer device 12 prints the image data generated in step S53 on a sheet (step S54). Specifically, the printer device 12 prints image data on a sheet based on print settings such as double-sided control included in the interpretation result of the print setting contents in step S52.

  Then, the printer device 12 performs a finishing process (step S55) and ends the process. Specifically, the printer device 12 performs the stapling process based on the print setting related to the staple by stapling included in the interpretation result of the print setting content in step S52.

  The host computer according to the first embodiment adds the information by determining whether it is necessary to control the print settings set on the Remote UI screen based on the valid print setting contents included in the XPS data and the setting control information. Determine print settings that can be set. Therefore, according to the host computer of the first embodiment, it is possible to determine print settings that can be additionally set so that the print settings are consistent with each other. In addition, since print settings that can be additionally set by the host computer are displayed on the screen, the user can easily grasp the print settings that can be additionally set, thereby improving convenience.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating print setting interpretation processing according to the second embodiment. The overall operation process of the host computer according to the second embodiment is the same as the overall operation process of the host computer according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. In the following, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  Steps S61 and S62 in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S41 and S42 in FIG. The process in step S62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5C shows an example of XPS data. This XPS data does not include duplicate print settings. Accordingly, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines bookbinding printing, paper size “A4”, and “postcard” as valid print setting candidates. This effective print setting candidate is a print setting that is determined based on the overlapping relationship between the settings and the priority.

Next, the print setting interpretation unit 21 determines an effective print setting based on the effective print setting candidate and a predetermined condition relating to the function of the printing apparatus 1 (step S63). Examples of conditions relating to functions provided in the printing apparatus 1 will be described below.
Example 1: When the printing apparatus 1 does not have a bookbinding printing function, the bookbinding printing setting is an invalid printing setting.
Example 2: When the printing apparatus 1 has a bookbinding printing function, the print setting interpretation unit 21 simulates the operation of the printing apparatus 1 and determines valid print settings. For example, a case will be described in which the printing apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus that processes bookbinding print settings with priority over paper size settings. The bookbinding designation in Job-PT included in the XPS data in FIG. 5C means bookbinding printing designation that combines FixedPage1 corresponding to the paper size “A4” and FixedPage2 corresponding to the paper size “postcard”. ing. The print setting interpretation unit 21 simulates the operation of the printing apparatus 1 and determines that bookbinding printing cannot be performed for these two types of paper sizes. Accordingly, the print setting interpretation unit 21 invalidates the postcard paper size setting in Page2-PT, and rounds the paper size setting in Page2-PT to the same A4 paper size setting as that in Page1-PT. (Handles as A4 paper size setting).

  Next, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists valid print settings (step S4). For example, when the conditions regarding the functions of the printing apparatus 1 are the conditions shown in Example 1, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists the paper sizes “A4” and “postcard” as valid print settings. Further, for example, when the condition regarding the function provided in the printing apparatus 1 is the condition shown in Example 2, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists bookbinding printing and the paper size “A4” as valid print settings. .

  Next, control of print settings set on the Remote UI screen in the second embodiment will be described. As described above, when the conditions related to the functions of the printing apparatus 1 are the conditions shown in Example 1, the print setting interpretation unit 21 lists the paper sizes “A4” and “postcard” as valid print settings. . Based on the setting control information, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the first gray-out display indicating that the setting of “paper size” has been selected, as shown in the Remote UI screen of FIG. Based on the setting control information, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that “bookbinding printing”, “stapling”, and “stapling position” cannot be selected for the paper size “postcard”. Accordingly, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display for “bookbinding printing”, “stapling”, and “stapling position” so that these printing settings cannot be set.

  As described above, when the condition regarding the function of the printing apparatus 1 is the condition shown in Example 2, the print setting interpretation unit 21 sets the bookbinding printing and the paper size “A4” as effective print settings. List up. Based on the setting control information, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the first gray-out indicating that the settings for “bookbinding printing” and “paper size” have been selected, as shown in the Remote UI screen of FIG. Display. Further, the print setting determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to perform control so that “double-sided control” cannot be performed based on setting control information reflecting that printing is performed on both sides during bookbinding printing. Accordingly, the print setting determination unit 22 performs the second gray-out display indicating that the print setting cannot be executed for “both sides control”. Further, the print setting determination unit 22 performs control so that only the saddle stitch position can be selected as the “stapling position” based on the setting control information reflecting that “staple position” can be selected only for “stapling position” at the time of “bookbinding printing”. Judge that it is necessary to do. Accordingly, the print setting determination unit 22 sets “stapling position” that can be selected by pull-down to a saddle stitch.

  The host computer according to the second embodiment checks the print setting in consideration of the function of the printing apparatus (step S63 in FIG. 7). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the XPS data from including a print setting that does not have a setting defect but cannot be processed by the printing apparatus.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

1 Printing device 2, 3 Host computer 4 Network

Claims (9)

A print control apparatus that performs print settings for an electronic document,
An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic document;
Print setting interpretation means for interpreting a plurality of different print settings included in the acquired electronic document and extracting valid print settings;
The extracted effective print setting and a setting for controlling the effective print setting so that it cannot be changed as selected or for preventing additional setting based on the consistency between print settings including the effective print setting Print setting determining means for determining print settings that can be additionally set in the electronic document based on the control information;
Display control means for displaying print settings that cannot be additionally set in the electronic document so as to be identifiable;
Selecting means for selecting a print setting to be additionally set from the determined print settings that can be additionally set;
Transmitting means for transmitting the acquired electronic document, the extracted effective print setting, and the print setting including the selected additional print setting to the printing apparatus;
A printing control apparatus comprising:   2. The print setting interpretation unit determines the effective print setting based on an overlapping relationship of settings for the same type of print settings among print settings included in the electronic document. The printing control apparatus described.   The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print setting interpretation unit further determines the effective print setting based on a predetermined priority corresponding to the print setting.   The print setting interpretation unit further determines the effective print setting based on a print setting determined based on the overlapping relationship between the settings and a priority corresponding to the print setting, and a condition relating to a function of the printing apparatus. The printing control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing control apparatus determines the printing control apparatus. A program for setting print settings for an electronic document,
Computer
An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic document;
Print setting interpretation means for interpreting a plurality of different print settings included in the acquired electronic document and extracting valid print settings;
The extracted effective print setting and a setting for controlling the effective print setting so that it cannot be changed as selected or for preventing additional setting based on the consistency between print settings including the effective print setting Print setting determining means for determining print settings that can be additionally set in the electronic document based on the control information;
Display control means for displaying print settings that cannot be additionally set in the electronic document so as to be identifiable;
Selecting means for selecting a print setting to be additionally set from the determined print settings that can be additionally set;
A computer program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits a print setting including the acquired electronic document, the extracted effective print setting, and the selected print setting to be additionally set to a printing apparatus.   6. The print setting interpretation unit determines the effective print setting based on an overlapping relationship of settings for the same type of print settings among print settings included in the electronic document. The computer program described.   7. The computer program according to claim 6, wherein the print setting interpretation unit further determines the effective print setting based on a predetermined priority corresponding to the print setting.   The print setting interpretation unit further determines the effective print setting based on a print setting determined based on the overlapping relationship between the settings and a priority corresponding to the print setting, and a condition relating to a function of the printing apparatus. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the computer program is determined. A print control method for setting print settings for an electronic document,
An acquisition process for acquiring an electronic document;
Interpreting a plurality of different print settings included in the obtained electronic document and extracting a valid print setting; and
The extracted effective print setting and a setting for controlling the effective print setting so that it cannot be changed as selected or for preventing additional setting based on the consistency between print settings including the effective print setting Print setting determining means for determining print settings that can be additionally set in the electronic document based on the control information;
Display control means for displaying print settings that cannot be additionally set in the electronic document so as to be identifiable;
A selection step of selecting a print setting to be additionally set from the determined print settings that can be additionally set;
A transmission step of transmitting to the printing apparatus print settings including the acquired electronic document, the extracted effective print settings, and the selected print settings to be additionally set;
A printing control method characterized by comprising:

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