JP6673025B2 - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program, and more particularly to a technique for giving print settings.

  Conventionally, when printing a file created by an application or the like in an information processing apparatus, it is necessary to activate a printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus and generate / transmit a print setting or a print job via the printer driver. General.

  In recent years, a method of directly printing a file created using an application without using a printer driver is also known. For example, a folder (hereinafter, referred to as “functional folder”) associated with a predetermined print setting is created in advance, and when a file is input to the folder, printing is performed based on the predetermined print setting. The function folder has functions not included in the printer driver, such as the ability to specify the time for transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus. Such a functional folder is called a “hot folder” or the like.

  When performing printing using a function folder, it is necessary to open a folder in the storage area and check whether or not the function folder is stored in order to find a location where the function folder is stored. In addition, when the function folder is stored in a folder having a plurality of levels, the user must open the folder in each level to check whether the function folder is stored, and search for the desired function folder. Requires a considerable amount of time.

  Therefore, there has been proposed an information processing apparatus including a printer driver capable of registering a print setting associated with a function folder in advance (for example, Patent Document 1). According to the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, by registering print settings associated with a function folder in a printer driver, a printer driver in which print settings of a function folder are registered is called from an application, and printing based on the print settings is performed. Since the print can be executed by causing the printer driver to generate a job, even a user who does not know the storage location of the function folder can perform printing based on the print settings of the function folder.

JP 2008-112237 A

  However, as described above, the function folder has a unique function that the printer driver does not have, such as designating a time for transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus. The function cannot be reflected in the print settings of the printer driver. Then, the user has to search for a function folder associated with the print setting based on such a specific function and input the file, and thus there is a problem that operability in the print setting operation is low.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program with improved operability when a user executes printing using a function folder. I do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes an installation unit that installs a program that transmits a file specified by a user to a function folder to which a print setting specified in advance is provided, and an installation unit that is installed by the installation unit. And a program registering means for registering the program as a printer driver with an operating system.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information processing apparatus further includes a folder generation unit that generates the function folder, wherein the installation unit generates the function folder by the folder generation unit. A configuration is characterized in that the program is installed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the information processing apparatus further includes a folder registration unit for registering the function folder provided in the external device, and the installation unit includes When the function folder is registered, the program is installed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the folder registration unit selects and registers the function folder in accordance with an operation by a user, and registers the function folder already registered. This is a configuration characterized in that it is excluded from registration targets.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the program registration unit registers the icon image associated with the program such that the icon image is displayed on a predetermined display unit. And a display control unit for displaying a print setting screen including the icon image associated with the program registered by the program registration unit on the display unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the program registration unit registers the program by adding print setting information of the function folder, and the display control unit includes the function folder. The print setting information set in advance is displayed in the print setting screen together with the icon image.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the information processing apparatus further includes a program generating unit that generates the program, wherein the program generating unit is configured to execute the program based on a file path of the function folder. The program for transmitting a file to the function folder is generated.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a print job for a file input to the function folder is performed based on print settings specified in advance in the function folder. The configuration is further characterized by further comprising a setting providing means for generating

  The invention according to claim 9 is a program executed in an information processing apparatus capable of generating a function folder for giving a print setting designated in advance to a file to be input, wherein the information processing apparatus is designated by a user An installation unit for installing a program for transmitting the file to the function folder, and a registration unit for registering the program installed by the installation unit as a printer driver in an operating system. It is.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the ninth aspect, the installation means installs the program when the information processing apparatus generates the function folder.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the information processing apparatus can register a function folder provided in an external device, and the installation unit is provided in the external device. When a function folder is registered, the program is installed.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the information processing apparatus can display a print setting screen for performing print settings in accordance with a user operation on a predetermined display means. The program registration unit is configured to register an icon image associated with the program so that the icon image is displayed on the print setting screen.

The invention of claim 13 is the program according to claim 12, before Kito recording means, as print setting information of the function folder with the icon image on the print setting screen is displayed, the said program This is a configuration characterized by adding and registering print setting information.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the thirteenth aspect, the registration means stores the print setting in the program so that print setting information of the function folder is displayed together with the icon image on the print setting screen. This configuration is characterized in that information is added and registered.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects, the information processing apparatus further functions as a program generating means for generating the program, wherein the program generating means stores the function folder. The program for transmitting a file to the function folder based on a file path is generated.

  According to the present invention, by registering a program for transmitting a file to the function folder as a printer driver in the operating system, when the application calls the printer driver, the program is also called. As a result, the file can be input to the function folder via the program for transmitting the file to the target function folder, so that there is no need to search for the function folder, and the operability in the print setting operation is improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a print setting system including an information processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a CPU of the information processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a CPU of the information processing device. It is a figure showing an example of 1 composition of a function folder generation screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of function folder management information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of printer driver information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print setting screen. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an example of a printer driver display portion of a print setting screen. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram when a file transmission program is installed. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram when printing is performed using a function folder. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in the information processing device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific processing procedure of a program registration process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of print setting processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print setting system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print setting system 1 includes an information processing device 2 including a general personal computer, an image processing device 4 including an MFP (Multi Functional Peripherals), and the like. And a network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) for communicably connecting the. Unlike the illustrated example, the network 3 may include the Internet and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the information processing device 2. The information processing apparatus 2 includes a display unit 6 including a color liquid crystal display and the like, and a storage unit 10 including an HDD or the like. And a function folder HF1 for assigning print settings. This function folder is a folder generally called a “hot folder” or the like. The information processing device 2 generates a function folder HF1 in the storage unit 10 in which print settings specified by the user are associated. The information processing device 2 has an application program 23 in the storage unit 10, and when the application program 23 is executed, functions as an application 42 such as a file editing application. When the file created by the application 42 is put into the function folder HF1, print settings specified in advance are given to the function folder HF1, and a print job is generated.

  The file created by the application 42 is transmitted to the function folder HF1 by the file transmission program 27 that transmits the file to the function folder HF1. For example, when a print setting screen for performing print settings is displayed on the display unit 6 while the application 42 is running, an image such as a thumbnail image corresponding to the file transmission program 27 is displayed in the print setting screen. The information processing device 2 transmits a file to the function folder HF1 by the file transmission program 27 according to a user operation. That is, the file transmission program 27 holds the storage location and folder name of the function folder HF1 to which the file is to be transmitted, and stores the folder in the function folder HF1 in response to a user operation while the print setting screen is displayed. Send the file.

  The image processing device 4 has a printing function of forming an image on a print medium and printing out the image based on data received from the information processing device 2 via the network 3. Further, a FAX function capable of transmitting data received from the information processing device 2 as FAX data to an external destination may be provided.

  In the print setting system 1 as described above, when the file D1 is created by the application 42 in the information processing apparatus 2, the file D1 can be stored in the function folder HF1 of the storage unit 10 according to the operation of the user. For example, when the user gives a print instruction while the application 42 is running, the display unit 6 displays a print setting screen of the application 4. An image corresponding to the file transmission program 27 is displayed in the print setting screen, and when the image is selected by the user, the file transmission program 27 is activated to transmit the file D1 to the function folder HF1. When the file D1 is loaded into the function folder HF1, a print job for printing the file D1 is generated based on the print settings specified in advance in the function folder HF1. When the output destination is specified to the image processing device 4 in the print setting of the function folder HF1, the generated print job is transmitted from the function folder HF1 to the image processing device 4. The image processing device 4 executes the received print job and prints out the file D1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the print setting system 1 of the present embodiment may include a server 100 connected to the network 3. The server 100 includes a storage device 102 constituted by an HDD or the like, and the storage device 102 stores a function folder HF2 in which print settings are specified in advance. The information processing device 2 can transmit the file D2 created by the application 42 to the function folder HF2 by the file transmission program 27 that transmits the file D2 to the function folder HF2. When the file D2 is input to the function folder HF2, the server 100 generates a print job based on the print settings specified in the function folder HF2. When the output destination is specified to the image processing device 4 in the print settings of the function folder HF2, the generated print job is transmitted from the function folder HF2 to the image processing device 4. The image processing device 4 executes the print job received from the server 100 and prints out the file D2.

  Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 constituting the print setting system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU 5, a storage unit 10 for storing various programs and the like, a display unit 6, and a communication interface 12 serving as an interface for communication with an external device via the network 3. And an operation unit 14 such as a keyboard.

  The storage unit 10 is read out when the information processing apparatus 2 is powered on and the CPU 5 is activated, and the operating system program 21 that causes the CPU 5 to function as the operating system 40, and the CPU 5 functions as the operating system 40 An application program 23 that is read in between and functions as an application 42 that creates a file, a file transmission program 27 that has at least a function of transmitting a file to the function folder HF1, and a function folder registration unit 46 that installs the file transmission program 27. And a function folder management program 30 that causes the CPU 5 to function as the function folder management unit 44. Further, the storage unit 10 stores a function folder HF1, function folder management information 35 related to the function folder HF1, and printer driver information 37 related to a printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 2.

  The CPU 5 functions as the operating system 40 by reading and executing the operating system program 21. When the application program 23 is read from the storage unit 10 and executed while the operating system 40 is functioning, the CPU 5 functions as an application 42 that creates a file. Further, the CPU 5 functions as a function folder management unit 44 that generates and manages the function folder HF1 by executing the function folder management program 30, and installs the file transmission program 27 by executing the installer program 25. Also, it functions as a function folder registration unit 46 that registers the file transmission program 27 with the operating system 40 as a printer driver.

  Next, a specific configuration of each of the above-described functional components when the functional folder HF1 is generated will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the CPU 5 when the function folder HF1 is generated. The operating system 40 includes an operation detection unit 51 that detects an operation input from the operation unit 14 and a first display control unit 53 that controls a display screen of the display unit 6. The function folder management unit 44 includes a folder generation unit 57 that generates the function folder HF1, and a setting giving unit 58 that gives a print setting specified in advance to the file D1 to be put into the function folder HF1. The function folder registration unit 46 includes an installation unit 60 that installs the file transmission program 27, and a program registration unit 62 that registers the file transmission program 27 installed by the installation unit 60 with the operating system 40 as a printer driver. Is provided.

  The folder generation unit 57 is a processing unit that generates a function folder HF1 based on an operation input by the operation unit 14. When an operation input for starting creation of a function folder is detected by the operation detection unit 51, the folder generation unit 57 functions to output the function folder setting screen G1 to the first display control unit 53. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the function folder setting screen G1. The function folder setting screen G1 includes a folder display portion R1 for displaying a newly created function folder HF1, a setting display portion R3 for displaying print settings specified in the function folder HF1, and an execution button for creating the function folder HF1. B1 and a stop button B3 for stopping generation of the function folder HF1. The folder generation unit 57 generates the function folder HF1 in the storage area specified by the user in the storage unit 10. When the operation detection unit 51 detects an operation to start creating a new function folder HF1, the folder generation unit 57 generates a function folder setting screen G1, and the first display control unit 53 generates the function folder setting screen G1. The function folder setting screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 6. The file path of the function folder HF1 in the storage area designated by the user is displayed in the folder display section R1.

  On the function folder setting screen G1, the user can make print settings for the function folder HF1 by changing the settings displayed on the setting display section R3 to desired settings. In the illustrated example, the settings of the output destination of the function folder HF1, the paper feed tray, the page layout, the stapling, and the output time designation are shown. The output time designation is a setting for outputting a print job of a file input to the function folder HF1 to a printer such as the image processing device 4 at a designated time. When the user presses the execution button B1, the folder generation unit 57 generates a function folder HF1 associated with the print setting specified by the user.

  When generating the function folder HF1, the folder generation unit 57 generates the function folder management information 35 of the function folder HF1 and stores it in the storage unit 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the function folder management information 35. The function folder management information 35 includes a name of each function folder HF1, a storage location indicating a file path of a storage area in which the function folder HF1 is stored, and print settings associated with the function folder HF1. The function folder management unit 44 manages the function folder HF1 using the function folder management information 35. For example, when a file is put into the function folder HF1 stored in the storage location, the setting giving unit 58 is made to function. The setting giving unit 58 is a processing unit that gives print settings to the file input to the function folder HF1. The setting giving unit 58 generates a print job of the file input to the function folder HF1, based on the print settings of the function folder management information 35. For example, when a file is input to the function folder HF1 having the folder name of “Hot Folder 1”, the setting giving unit 58 refers to the function folder management information 35 and prints the file associated with “Hot Folder 1”. A print job is generated based on the settings, and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 4 as an output destination. The user can freely set the folder name.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the installation unit 60 is a processing unit that installs a file transmission program 27 that transmits a file specified by the user to a function folder HF1 to which print settings specified in advance are provided. When the function folder HF1 is generated by the folder generation unit 57, the installer program 25 stored in the storage unit 10 is read and executed, and functions as the installation unit 60. Then, the installation unit 60 starts installing the file transmission program 27. The installation unit 60 sets the function folder HF1 generated by the folder generation unit 57 as a printer that is an output destination of the file transmission program 27 during the installation of the file transmission program 27. Thus, when the file transmission program 27 is registered as a printer driver in the printer driver information 37 managed by the operating system 40 by the program registration unit 62 described later, the function folder HF1 is registered as a printer to be an output destination. You. Then, when the print setting screen for performing the print setting is displayed during the activation of the application 42, the operating system 40 notifies the application 42 of the file transmission program 27 as one of the printer drivers. On the setting screen, a file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file to the function folder HF1 is displayed as one of the printer drivers.

  The information processing apparatus 2 may include, in the storage unit 10, a file transmission program 27 not yet installed in the operating system 40 and an installer program 25 for installing the file transmission program 27 in the operating system 40 as a package. Good. When the function folder management unit 44 registers the function folder HF1 in the function folder management information 35, the function folder management unit 44 may copy this package and install the file transmission program 27. As an example, when the function folder HF1 is generated by the folder generation unit 57, the function folder management unit 44 executes a package including the file transmission program 27 that has not been installed and the installer program 25 for installing the file transmission program 27. Is copied, and the names of the file transmission program 27 and the installer program 25 included in the copied package are changed. Then, the function folder management unit 44 causes the storage unit 10 to store the copied package. Next, the function folder management unit 44 requests the operating system 40 to start the installer program 25 included in the copied package. In this case, the function folder management unit 44 functions as a program generation unit that generates the file transmission program 27.

  The operating system 40 activates the installer program 25, and when activated, the installer program functions as the function folder registration unit 46. Then, the installation unit 60 installs the file transmission program 27 included in the package. As described above, during the installation of the file transmission program 27, the installation unit 60 sets the function folder HF1 generated by the folder generation unit 57 as a printer that is the output destination of the file transmission program 27. In this case, the file transmission program 27 is generated according to the number of the function folders HF1, and is installed in the operating system 40. That is, one file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file is associated with one function folder HF1.

  The installation unit 60 also installs icon image data such as a thumbnail indicating the file transmission program 27 when the file transmission program 27 is installed. That is, the operating system 40 registers and manages the file transmission program 27 as one of the printer drivers, and recognizes the installed icon image 81 as an image indicating the printer driver.

  Each installed file transmission program 27 is registered in the printer driver information 37. As a result, each file transmission program 27 registered in the printer driver information 37 is displayed on a screen for performing print settings as a printer driver. The icon image 81 recognized by the operating system 40 as an image indicating the printer driver is also displayed in the print setting screen. Therefore, the user can select the file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file to the desired function folder HF1 in the print setting screen, and thus can more efficiently transmit the file to the function folder HF1. .

  The program registration unit 62 is a processing unit that registers the file transmission program 27 installed by the installation unit 60 with the operating system 40 as a printer driver. When the file transmission program 27 is installed in the function folder HF1 by the installation unit 60, the program registration unit 62 receives the function folder management information 35 of the function folder HF1 from the function folder management unit 44. The program registration unit 62 registers the function folder management information 35 received from the function folder management unit 44 in the printer driver information 37 managed by the operating system 40, together with the information of the installed file transmission program 27. That is, the program registration unit 62 transmits information of the file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file to the function folder HF1 to the operating system 40 and the function folder management information 35 of the function folder HF1, and the operating system 40 stores the received information. The printer driver information 37 is updated in addition to the printer driver information 37.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer driver information 37. The printer driver information 37 is information managed by the operating system 40. The printer driver information 37 is information on a printer driver installed in the operating system 40. When the file transmission program 27 is installed in the operating system 40 by the program registration unit 62, the file transmission program 27 is registered in the printer driver information 37 as one of the printer drivers. In the printer driver information 37 in the figure, the printer driver name and the printer information of the output destination are registered in association with each other. Then, in the file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file to the function folder HF1, print settings specified in advance in the function folder HF1 are registered as printer information as an output destination. When the operating system 40 notifies the application 42 of the printer driver information 37 in response to a request from the application 42, the file transmission program 27 is notified to the application 42 as one of the printer drivers. Thus, when a screen for performing print settings is displayed while the application 42 is running, the file transmission program 27 is displayed as one of the printer drivers in this screen. Further, as described later, when the user selects the file transmission program 27, the print settings of the function folder HF1 registered as printer information are displayed as thumbnails.

  Note that the function folder registration unit 46 can register the function folder HF2 stored in the external device in the function folder management unit 44. For example, when the function folder HF2 is stored in the storage device 102 of the server 100 that can communicate with the information processing apparatus 2 via the network 3, the function folder registration unit 46 sets the print setting specified in the function folder HF2. Information is acquired from the server 100 and registered in the function folder management unit 44. When acquiring the print setting information specified in the function folder HF2 from the server 100, the function folder registration unit 46 notifies the function folder management unit 44 of the print setting information of the function folder HF2. The function folder management unit 44 registers the print setting information of the function folder HF2 in the function folder management information 35. When the print setting information of the function folder HF2 is registered by the function folder management unit 44, the installation unit 60 executes installation of the file transmission program 27 that transmits a file to the function folder HF2. The installation unit 60 sets the function folder HF2 as a printer to which the file transmission program 27 is output while the file transmission program 27 is being installed. When the file transmission program 27 is installed, the program registration unit 62 causes the operating system 40 to register the file transmission program 27 in the printer driver information 37 as one of the printer drivers.

  When the function folder registration unit 46 acquires the print setting information of the function folder HF2 stored in the external device from the function folder registration unit 46, it notifies the function folder management unit 44. Then, when the function folder HF2 is already registered in the function folder management information 35, the function folder management unit 44 notifies the function folder registration unit 46 of this. Upon receiving the notification from the function folder management unit 44, the function folder registration unit 46 cancels the registration of the function folder HF2. This prevents the same function folder HF2 from being registered twice, and prevents installation of a plurality of file transmission programs 27 having the same function folder HF2 as a file transmission destination.

  Next, a functional configuration when a file is transmitted to the functional folder HF1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the CPU 5 when a file is transmitted to the function folder HF1. As described above, when the application program 23 is read while the operating system 40 is running, the CPU 5 functions as the application 42. The application 42 includes an operation reception unit 64 that receives an operation input from the operation unit 14 and a second display control unit 66 that controls display on the display unit 6. The application 42 has a file creation and editing function such as a document editing application.

  The second display control unit 66 is a processing unit that generates an image according to the operation input received by the operation reception unit 64 and causes the display unit 6 to display the image. The second display control unit 66 controls the display screen of the display unit 6 via, for example, the first display control unit 53 of the operating system 40 described above. As an example, when an operation input for performing file print setting is received by the operation receiving unit 64, the second display control unit 66 causes the display unit 6 to display a print setting screen G10. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print setting screen G10. The print setting screen G10 includes a print execution button B10 and a printer display area R10 that displays a list of printers that can be selected as output destinations. Further, a copy number display unit indicating the number of print copies may be provided. In the printer display area R10, a printer display 80 indicating a selectable printer driver is displayed. The printer display 80 has a selectable printer driver name and an icon image 81 corresponding to the printer driver.

  When the operation receiving unit 64 receives an operation input for performing print setting, the application 42 requests the operating system 40 for selectable printer driver information 37 (see FIG. 7). When receiving the request from the application 42, the operating system 40 reads the printer driver information 37 from the storage unit 10 and passes it to the application 42. The operating system 40 also passes an icon image 81 such as a thumbnail indicating each printer driver to the application 42. As described above, the file transmission program 27 is installed in the operating system 40 as one of the printer drivers. When transferring the icon image 81 indicating the printer driver to the application 42, the operating system 40 also transfers the icon image 81 indicating the file transmission program 27 to the application 42.

  The second display control unit 66 displays a printer display 80 in the printer display area R10 based on the printer driver information 37 and the icon image 81 received from the operating system 40. In the example of the printer driver information 37 shown in FIG. 7, a file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file is registered in the function folder HF1. The second display control unit 66 causes the printer display 80c (80) corresponding to the file transmission program 27 to be displayed in the printer display area R10. When the user selects the printer display 80c (80) corresponding to the file transmission program 27 and operates the print execution button B10, the application 42 requests the operating system 40 to activate the file transmission program 27. Upon receiving the request from the application 42, the operating system 40 activates the file transmission program 27 and transmits the file to the function folder HF1. When a file is input to the function folder HF1, the function folder management unit 44 is notified of the file, and a print job for printing the file is set based on the print setting previously set in the function folder HF1 by the setting giving unit 58. Generated. That is, the user can transmit the file to the function folder HF1 by the print setting operation in the application 42 without performing the operation of searching for the storage location of the function folder HF1 in the storage unit 10. Then, when the transmitted file is input to the function folder HF1, a print job based on the print settings of the function folder HF1 is generated and output to a printer such as the image processing apparatus 4 as an output destination. As a result, the efficiency when printing using the function folder HF1 is improved.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when a print execution instruction is transmitted from the application 42 to the operating system 40, the operating system 40 activates the printer driver 70 or the file transmission program 27 specified in the print execution instruction. That is, when the printer driver 70 is specified in the print execution instruction from the application 42, the printer driver 70 reads and executes a printer driver program (not shown) to function as the printer driver 70. On the other hand, when the file transmission program 27 is specified in the print execution instruction from the application 42, the file transmission program 27 is started. The file transmission program 27 includes a file transmission unit 76, and transmits a file to a function folder HF1 set in advance during installation. When the file transmitted from the file transmission unit 76 is input to the function folder HF1, the function folder HF1 notifies the function folder management unit 44 that the file has been input. When the function folder management unit 44 detects that a file is input to the function folder HF1, the setting giving unit 58 in the function folder management unit 44 functions. The setting giving unit 58 gives a print setting specified in the function folder HF1 to the file in advance, generates a print job, and transmits the print job to the image processing apparatus 4.

  The printer driver 70 includes a print setting unit 72 that generates a print job, and a job transmission unit 74 that transmits the print job generated by the print setting unit 72 to a printer that is an output destination. When the printer driver 70 is activated, the print setting unit 72 generates a print job based on the print settings set in the application 42. When a print job is generated by the print setting unit 72, the job transmission unit 74 transmits the print job to the printer. When the print job is transmitted, the printer driver ends. Accordingly, the user transmits a file to the function folder HF1 by performing the same operation as generating a print job using the printer driver and causing the output destination printer to execute the print job. It is possible to generate a print job based on print settings set in advance, transmit the print job to a printer as an output destination, and execute the job.

  Further, when the function folder HF1 is selected on the print setting screen G10, the second display control unit 66 may display the print setting information of the selected function folder HF1 on the print setting screen G10. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the printer display area R10 on the print setting screen G10. In the illustrated example, the printer display 80c (80) corresponding to the function folder HF1 is selected. When the function folder HF1 is selected, the fact that the function folder HF1 is selected is displayed near the icon image 81c (81) in the illustrated example. When the function folder HF1 is selected, the second display control unit 66 refers to the printer information of the printer driver information 37 received from the operating system 40. Then, based on the printer information, a setting information display image 85 for displaying the print settings specified in advance in the function folder HF1 is generated and added to the printer display 80c (80) and displayed. In the illustrated example, the output destination of the print job, the location where the image processing apparatus 4 serving as the output destination is installed, and a comment indicating information relating to the output time designation among the print settings of the function folder HF1 are displayed.

  The printer information in the printer driver information 37 is registered in the printer driver information 37 by the program registration unit 62 as a printer to which a file is to be output by the file transmission program 27. That is, the second display control unit 66 of the application 42 refers to the printer driver information 37 received from the operating system 40 and sets the setting information display image 85 based on the printer information that is the output destination of the printer driver selected by the user. Is displayed in the print setting screen G10. The file transmission program 27 is registered in the printer driver information 37 as one of the printer drivers, and the print setting of the function folder HF1 is registered in the printer information as the output destination. When the selected printer display 80c is selected, the second display control unit 66 displays a setting information display image 85 based on the print settings of the function folder HF1 in the print setting screen G10. As a result, what print settings are given when the file transmission program 27 selected by the user transmits the file to the function folder HF1 is displayed.

  Next, a processing mode based on cooperation between the processing units of the CPU 5 will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by each processing unit when the file transmission program 27 is installed. First, the information processing device 2 is activated, and the operating system 40 is activated (process P1). Then, when the operation detecting unit 51 detects an operation to create a function folder (process P3), the operating system 40 transmits an instruction to activate the function folder management program 30 (process P5). When the function folder management program 30 starts (process P7), it functions as the function folder management unit 44, and displays the function folder setting screen G1 on the display unit 6 (process P9). When the print setting of the function folder HF1 is specified while the function folder setting screen G1 is displayed (process P11), and the function folder HF1 is generated (process P13), the function folder management unit 44 starts the generated function. The function folder management information 35 of the folder HF1 is generated, stored and stored in the storage unit 10 (process P15).

  Next, the function folder management unit 44 requests the operating system 40 to install the file transmission program 27 (process P17). Upon receiving the request from the function folder management unit 44, the operating system 40 activates the installer program 25 (process P18). Then, when the operating system 40 starts the installer program 25 (process P19), it functions as the function folder registration unit 46, and starts installing the file transmission program 27 into the operating system 40 (process P21). When the installation is completed, the operating system 40 notifies the function folder management unit 44 that the installation has been completed (process P23).

  Upon receiving the notification that the installation of the file transmission program 27 has been completed, the function folder management unit 44 instructs the function folder registration unit 46 to register the file transmission program 27 in the operating system 40 (process P25). ). Upon receiving the instruction from the function folder management unit 44, the function folder registration unit 46 requests the operating system 40 to register the file transmission program 27 as a printer driver that sets the output destination printer as the function folder HF1 (process P27). Upon receiving the registration request of the file transmission program 27, the operating system 40 registers the file transmission program 27 in the printer driver information 37 as a printer driver whose output destination is the function folder HF1, and updates the printer driver information 37 ( Process P29).

  Finally, when the operating system 40 notifies the function folder registration unit 46 of the update of the printer driver information 37 (process P31), the function folder registration unit 46 ends (process P33). After executing the process P25, the function folder management unit 44 detects that the operation unit 14 has instructed to end the function folder management unit 44 (process P35), and ends the function folder management unit 44. (Process P37). Unlike the example shown in FIG. 10, during installation of the file transmission program 27, the file transmission program 27 may be registered as a printer driver in the printer driver information 37, and then the installation may be terminated.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing mode of each processing unit when transmitting a file to the function folder HF1. When the information processing apparatus 2 is powered on and started, the operating system program 21 is read, and the operating system 40 is started by the CPU 5 (process P50). When the application 42 is further activated while the operating system 40 is activated (process P54) and a print setting operation from the operation unit 14 is detected (process P56), the application 42 sends a printer driver to the operating system 40. The request for the information 37 is transmitted (process P58). Upon receiving this request, the operating system 40 reads the printer driver information 37 from the storage unit 10 and sends it to the application 42 (process P60). Upon receiving the printer driver information 37, the application 42 displays a print setting screen G10 on the display unit 6 (process P62).

  When the print setting screen G10 is displayed and the print execution instruction is detected in a state where the file transmission program 27 is selected (process P64), the application 42 starts the file transmission program 27 selected on the print setting screen G10. The request to be transmitted is transmitted to the operating system 40 (process P66). When receiving a request to start the file transmission program 27 from the application 42, the operating system 40 issues a start instruction to the file transmission program 27 and starts the file transmission program 27 (process P68). When the application 42 requests the operating system 40 to start the file transmission program 27, the application 42 deletes the print setting screen G10 (process P70).

  When activated by the operating system 40 (process P72), the file transmission program 27 transmits a file to the function folder HF1 (process P74). The function folder management unit 44 starts up when a file is input to the function folder HF1 (process P78) and receives a file (process P80). Then, the function folder management information 35 is read from the storage unit 10 and referred to (process P82), and based on the print settings of the function folder HF1, a print job of the input file is generated (process P84).

  The function folder management unit 44 transmits the generated print job to the image processing device 4 (process P90). Upon receiving the print job transmitted from the function folder management unit 44, the image processing device 4 executes the received print job (process P92). When the execution of the print job is completed (process P94), a job completion notification is transmitted to the function folder management unit 44 (process P96). When receiving the notification that the print job by the function folder HF1 has been completed, the function folder management unit 44 ends the process (process P100). Finally, when the application 42 detects an instruction from the operation unit 14 to terminate the application 42, the application 42 terminates the application 42.

  Next, a processing procedure performed by the information processing device 2 in the present embodiment will be described. 12 to 14 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in the information processing device 2.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main processing procedure performed by the information processing device 2. When activating the function folder management program 30 (step S1), the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether to generate the function folder HF1 (step S3). If an operation to generate the function folder HF1 is detected (YES in step S3), the information processing device 2 generates a function folder HF1 (step S4), and transfers a file to the generated function folder HF1. A program registration process (step S10) for registering the file transmission program 27 to be transmitted in the operating system 40 is executed. The specific processing procedure of the program registration processing (step S10) will be described later.

  If the operation of generating the function folder HF1 is not detected in step S3 (NO in step S3), the information processing device 2 further determines whether or not the existing function folder HF2 stored in the server 100 has been selected. It is determined (step S5), and when it is determined that the existing function folder HF2 is selected (YES in step S5), it is determined whether the function folder HF2 is already registered in the function folder management information 35 (step S7). ). If the function folder HF2 is not registered in the function folder management information 35 (NO in step S7), a program registration process (step S10) for registering the file transmission program 27 for transmitting a file to the function folder HF2 in the operating system 40 is executed. I do. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that the existing function folder HF2 has not been selected (NO in step S5), or in step S7, the existing function folder HF2 has been registered in the function folder management information 35. Is determined (YES in step S7), the information processing device 2 skips the program registration process (step S10).

  Next, the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether or not a print setting instruction has been detected (step S12). If the print setting instruction has been detected (YES in step S12), the print setting process for performing print setting (step S12) Execute S14). On the other hand, when the print setting instruction is not detected (NO in step S12), the print setting process (step S14) is skipped. The specific processing procedure of the print setting processing (step S14) will be described later.

  Lastly, the information processing device 2 determines whether an instruction to end the execution of the function folder management program functioning as the function folder management unit 44 has been detected (step S16). (YES in step S16), the function folder management program is terminated (step S18), and the process is terminated. If the end of the function folder management program is not detected (NO in step S16), the information processing device 2 returns to step S3, and repeatedly executes the processing of steps S3 to S16 until detecting the end instruction of the function folder management program. .

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the program registration processing (step S10 in FIG. 12). The information processing device 2 first starts the installer program 25 (step S21), and reads out the file transmission program 27 (step S23). Next, in the read file transmission program 27, a function folder as a file transmission destination is set. In the present embodiment, when the function folder HF1 is generated (step S4), the generated function folder HF1 is set as a file transmission destination. On the other hand, when the existing function folder HF2 is selected (step S5), the selected existing function folder HF2 is set as the file transmission destination (step S25).

  Then, when the file transmission program 27 is installed, the information of the installed file transmission program 27 is registered in the printer driver information 37 (step S27). Finally, when the information of the file transmission program 27 is registered in the printer driver information 37, the information processing device 2 terminates the installer program 25 and terminates the program registration process.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the print setting processing (Step S14 in FIG. 12). When a print setting instruction from the user is detected (YES in step S12 of FIG. 12), the information processing apparatus 2 reads the printer driver information 37 from the storage unit 10 (step S41), and prints a print setting screen in which the printer driver information 37 is reflected. G10 is generated (step S43). Then, while the print setting screen G10 is being displayed, it is determined whether or not the user has selected a function folder as a file output destination (step S45). If it is determined that the function folder has been selected (YES in step S45), the setting information display image 85 is added to the printer display 80 and displayed (step S47).

  Next, the information processing device 2 determines whether a print execution instruction from the user has been detected (step S49). When a print execution instruction from the user is detected (YES in step S49), the file is transmitted to the function folder selected in step S45 (step S51). When the transmitted file is input to the function folder, the information processing device 2 generates a print job based on the print settings specified in the function folder (step S53), and uses the generated print job as an output destination. The image is transmitted to the set image processing apparatus 4 (step S60). After the transmission of the print job, the print setting process ends. If no print execution instruction has been detected by the user (NO in step S49), the processing in steps S51 to S60 is skipped, and the print setting processing ends.

  If the function folder has not been selected by the user on the print setting screen G10 in step S45 (NO in step S45), it is further determined whether a printer corresponding to the printer display 80 has been selected (step S55). If a printer has been selected (YES in step S55), the information processing apparatus 2 performs print settings in accordance with a user operation and determines whether a print execution instruction is detected (step S57). ). If a print execution instruction is detected (YES in step S57), a print job is generated based on print settings according to the user's operation (step S59), and the print job is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 4 as an output destination (step S59). Step S60).

(Modification)
As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be applied.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the installer program 25 and the file transmission program 27 stored in the information processing apparatus 2 are installed and registered in the operating system 40 of the information processing apparatus 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a case where one or both of the installer program 25 and the file transmission program 27 are stored in an external device such as a server. For example, an installer program 25 and a file transmission program 27 are stored in a server, and these may be downloaded in response to a request from the information processing device 2 and the file transmission program 27 may be installed in the operating system 40. Alternatively, the installer program 25 stored in the server may be executed on the server, and the file transmission program 27 may be installed in the information processing device 2.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a function folder assigns a print setting specified in advance to a file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. This includes the case where the image data is generated and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 4 and output to the transmission destination by the image processing apparatus 4 which has received the FAX job.

Reference Signs List 1 print setting system 2 information processing device 4 image processing device 37 file transmission program (program)
40 Operating system 57 Folder generation unit (folder generation means)
58 setting giving section (setting giving means)
60 Installation part (installation means)
62 Program Registration Unit (Program Registration Means)
66 second display control unit (display control means)
HF1 function folder HF2 function folder

Claims (15)

Installation means for installing a program for transmitting a file specified by the user to a function folder to which print settings specified in advance are provided;
Program registration means for registering the program installed by the installation means as a printer driver with an operating system;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Folder generating means for generating the function folder,
Further comprising
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation unit installs the program when the function folder is generated by the folder generation unit. Folder registration means for registering the function folder provided in the external device,
Further comprising
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation unit installs the program when the function folder is registered by the folder registration unit.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the folder registration unit selects and registers the function folder according to a user operation, and excludes the already registered function folder from registration targets. 5. . The program registration unit registers an icon image associated with the program to be displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Display control means for displaying a print setting screen including the icon image associated with the program registered by the program registration means on the display means,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The program registration unit registers the program by adding print setting information of the function folder,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit displays the print setting information set in the function folder in advance in the print setting screen together with the icon image. Program generating means for generating the program,
Further comprising
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program generating unit generates the program for transmitting a file to the function folder based on a file path of the function folder.   8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program holds function folder information that is a transmission destination of a file, and transmits the file to a function folder corresponding to the function folder information. . Setting providing means for generating a print job based on print settings specified in advance in the function folder, for a file to be input to the function folder,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: A program executed in an information processing apparatus capable of generating a function folder for providing a print setting specified in advance to a file to be input,
The information processing device,
Installation means for installing a program for transmitting a file specified by a user to the function folder, and
Registration means for registering the program installed by the installation means as a printer driver with an operating system;
A program characterized by functioning as a program.   The program according to claim 10, wherein the installation unit installs the program when the function folder is generated by the information processing device. The information processing apparatus can register a function folder provided in an external device,
The program according to claim 10, wherein the installation unit installs the program when a function folder provided in the external device is registered. The information processing apparatus can display a print setting screen for performing print settings in accordance with a user operation on a predetermined display unit,
Before Kito recording means, the program according to any one of claims 10 to 12 icon image associated with the program and registers to be displayed on the print setting screen. Before Kito recording means, claims, characterized in that the print setting information of the function folder with the icon image on the print setting screen to be displayed, and registers by adding the print setting information in the program 13. The program according to 13. The information processing device,
Program generating means for generating the program,
To further function as
15. The program according to claim 10, wherein the program generating unit generates the program for transmitting a file to the function folder based on a file path of the function folder.

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