JP6930339B2 - Program and printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program and a system incorporated in an information processing device capable of communicating with a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for installing a program corresponding to the printer in an information processing apparatus.

Conventionally, for an information processing device capable of communicating with a printer, there is known a technique of installing a printer driver, which is a program for controlling the printer, in the information processing device when the printer is controlled from the information processing device to perform printing.

For example, Patent Document 1 is a document that discloses a technique relating to program installation. In Patent Document 1, when installing and uninstalling an application program, a security check is performed to see if the permission request for installation and uninstallation is appropriate, and if the operation is normal, the installation and uninstallation are continued, which is illegal. A configuration is disclosed in which installation and uninstallation are stopped in the event of an operation or erroneous operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-339142

In recent years, there is an information processing device incorporating an operating system (OS) having a so-called driverless printing function that prints without using a printer driver according to a predetermined printing standard represented by AirPrint (registered trademark). In this case, printing can be performed without installing the printer driver. However, the installation-free printing function built into the OS may be limited to general-purpose print setting items, and it is not always possible to set all possible items for individual printers. Therefore, even if the information processing device has an OS having a printing function that does not need to be installed, it may be preferable for some users to install a program having a printing function for a specific printer to perform printing. On the other hand, some users may be satisfied with the print setting items supported by the print function that does not require installation. For users who are satisfied with the print function that does not require installation, installing the program is troublesome, and the setting items that increase due to the installation of the program may warp and cause confusion for the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned program installation technology. That is, the problem is to provide a technology that allows the printer to be used from the information processing device appropriately according to the user.

A program made for the purpose of solving this problem is provided with a communication interface, is connected to a printer via the communication interface, and serves as a processing path for processing data instructing the printer to print based on image data to be printed. The information is provided for each user in an information processing apparatus having a first route that uses a specific program, which is a program corresponding to the specific model including the model of the printer, and a second route that does not use the specific program. An acquisition process for acquiring at least one of the usage frequency information, which is the frequency of using the processing device, and the information of the application program incorporated in the information processing device, the information acquired in the acquisition process, and the information described above. Based on the information of the user who is currently using the information processing device, the process route for processing data by printing according to the instruction of the user who is currently using the information processing device is the first route and the first route. A determination process for determining one of the two routes, and an installation process for installing the specific program when the determination process determines the first route and the specific program is not incorporated. , Is characterized by being executed.

It can be inferred that a user who frequently uses an information processing device has a high degree of skill in the information processing device. In addition, the information processing device may include an application program that uses a specific program. The information processing apparatus incorporating the program disclosed in the present specification sets a processing route for the user based on at least one of the information on the frequency of use of the user currently in use and the information on the embedded application program. decide. Then, the information processing apparatus installs the specific program when the specific program is determined in the first route and the specific program is not incorporated.

By executing the program disclosed in the present specification, the processing route is determined according to the usage status of the information processing device for each user. For example, if the user currently in use is a user who is expected to be skilled in using the information processing device or a user who is expected to use a specific program, the processing route is determined to be the first route. Will be done. Further, when the information processing apparatus determines the processing route as the first route, the information processing apparatus installs the specific program if the specific program is not incorporated. As a result, in the case of a user who may use the specific program, the specific program is installed and printing can be performed by the first route.

According to the present invention, a technique capable of using a printer from an information processing device appropriately according to a user is realized.

It is a schematic block diagram of the printing system which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the program for printing of an information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2 kinds of processing routes. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a print path determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the recommended route determination processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the application list of a user area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the interlocking application list. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the application list of a shared area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the use list of an information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the billing information.

Hereinafter, embodiments that embody the printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is an application of the present invention to a printing system including a printing device and an information processing device capable of communicating with each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 of this embodiment has a printing device 1 and an information processing device 2, and is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. The printing device 1 is a device capable of printing on a medium to be printed, and is, for example, a label printer, a page printer, a copier, or a multifunction device. The information processing device 2 is a device that generates and processes image data to be printed by the printing device 1, transmits a print execution instruction to the printing device 1, and is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer. The number of printing devices 1 and information processing devices 2 constituting the printing system 100 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 includes a controller 11, an image forming unit 12, an operation panel 13, and a network interface 14. The controller 11 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and controls each component of the printing device 1. Note that the controller 11 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware used for controlling the printing device 1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware actually existing in the printing device 1.

The image forming unit 12 is configured to print an image on a medium to be printed. The image forming method of the image forming unit 12 may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Further, the printing device 1 may be a device capable of forming a color image or a device capable of performing only monochrome printing. The operation panel 13 is, for example, a touch panel, which accepts input by the user and displays information. The operation panel 13 may include various indicator lamps, buttons, and the like. The network interface 14 includes hardware for communicating with the information processing device 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 2 has a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a non-volatile memory 24, an operation display unit 26, and a network interface 27. The ROM 22 stores a start-up program or the like for starting the information processing device 2. The RAM 23 is used as a work area when various processes are executed, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The non-volatile memory 24 is, for example, an HDD or a flash memory, and stores various programs and data.

The CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program read from the ROM 22 or the non-volatile memory 24. The operation display unit 26 is, for example, a touch panel, which accepts input by the user and displays information. The operation display unit 26 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and the like. The network interface 27 includes hardware for communicating with the printing device 1. The network interface 27 is an example of a communication interface.

In the printing system 100 of this embodiment, the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 perform wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard via a common access point 3. That is, the network interfaces 14 and 27 are both interfaces that enable wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. More specifically, it is an interface that enables wireless communication based on the standard of IEEE802.11 and a standard equivalent thereto. The communication mode of this embodiment is an example, and is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 may communicate with each other by wireless communication by direct connection without going through the access point 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the non-volatile memory 24 of the information processing apparatus 2 includes an application program (image editing application) 41 for image editing, an image data generation program 42, a dedicated print control program 43, and an operating system ( OS) 44 and are stored. Further, the OS 44 of the information processing apparatus 2 incorporates a general-purpose print control program 45 and a communication program 46. Hereinafter, the application program is referred to as an "application". In FIG. 2, the flow directions of various data are indicated by solid arrows.

The image editing application 41 is, for example, a program having a function of receiving a user's instruction, a function of displaying an image, and a function of editing and saving an image. The image editing application 41 also has a function of reading a generated image file, a function of receiving a print instruction, and a function of receiving various settings at the time of printing. Further, the image editing application 41 also has a function of acquiring the state information of the device from the printing device 1 via the dedicated print control program 43 or the general-purpose print control program 45, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The device status information includes, for example, a print completion notification and an error notification.

The image data generation program 42 is a program having a function of generating an image file for printing. In the information processing device 2 of the present embodiment, the image data generation program 42 generates a label image file based on, for example, an editing instruction received by the image editing application 41. The label image file is a data file for printing on a tape-shaped label medium. The procedure of the process of generating the label image file by the image editing application 41 is, in detail, the generation instruction is output from the image editing application 41 to the image data generation program 42, and the label generated by the image data generation program 42. The procedure for acquiring the image file by the image editing application 41 is included.

The dedicated print control program 43 has, for example, a function of rasterizing the image data included in the label image file to generate rasterized data, and a function of controlling the communication program 46 to transmit the generated rasterized data to the printing device 1. It is a program. The dedicated print control program 43 is a dedicated program corresponding to a printing device of a specific model, and does not correspond to a printing device other than the specific model such as a model of another manufacturer. The dedicated print control program 43 of the present embodiment is, for example, a dedicated program for controlling the printing device 1, and can correspond to all the detailed print settings that can be executed by the printing device 1, and the printing device 1 can be used. Generate rasterized data in a format that can be supported by. The dedicated print control program 43 is an example of a specific program.

The general-purpose print control program 45 is a program having a function of generating standard data for printing based on a predetermined print standard and a function of controlling the generated standard data and transmitting the generated standard data to the printing device 1. The general-purpose print control program 45 is a standard program provided by the OS 44 in order to realize the print control function. The standard data transmitted by the general-purpose print control program 45 is, for example, data conforming to a predetermined standard that can be processed by the printing apparatus 1 having a general-purpose rasterization process, and is not rasterized.

Further, the general-purpose print control program 45 is a general-purpose program corresponding to various printing devices that support a predetermined printing standard. Therefore, any printing device of any manufacturer can execute printing based on the standard data as long as the printing device has a function corresponding to the general-purpose print control program 45. Since the general-purpose print control program 45 is a general-purpose program corresponding to a plurality of models, the print settings that can be accepted are limited to general ones. Therefore, the general-purpose print control program 45 does not always accept all print settings that can be executed by the print device 1. Examples of the printing system using the general-purpose print control program 45 include AirPrint and Mopria (both are registered trademarks).

The label image file described above is a file suitable for processing in the dedicated print control program 43. When passing the image data to be printed to the dedicated print control program 43, the image editing application 41 uses a label image file suitable for the printing device 1 and the dedicated print control program 43. When the image editing application 41 passes the image data to be printed to the general-purpose print control program 45, the image editing application 41 uses a label image file suitable for the general-purpose print control program 45.

The communication program 46 is a program having a function of controlling the network interface 27 to communicate with the device of the communication partner. For example, the dedicated print control program 43 passes the generated rasterized data to the OS 44. The OS 44 of the information processing device 2 transmits the rasterized data to the printing device 1 via the network interface 27 by the communication program 46. The communication program 46 is also a standard program provided by OS44. A part of the communication program 46 may be stored in the ROM 22.

The printing system 100 of the present embodiment has two types of routes as shown in FIG. 3 as processing routes for processing data instructing printing so that the printing apparatus 1 can perform printing. The two types of routes are a first route in which the information processing device 2 performs rasterization processing and a second route in which the printing device 1 performs rasterization processing. The first route is an example of the first route and the first printing procedure, and the second route is an example of the second route and the second printing procedure.

When the printing device 1 is made to print using the first path, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 2 executes rasterization processing to rasterize the image data included in the label image file, and after rasterizing. The rasterized data of the above is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1. The printing device 1 receives the rasterized data and prints based on the received rasterized data. In the first path, the information processing apparatus 2 rasterizes the image data to be printed using the dedicated print control program 43 shown in FIG. The rasterization process by the dedicated print control program 43 is an example of the first rasterization process, and the rasterization data transmitted from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 by the first path is an example of the first data.

Since the first route uses the dedicated print control program 43, it corresponds to various print settings that can be supported by the printing device 1. Since the dedicated print control program 43 is not included in the OS 44, the information processing apparatus 2 does not use the print control function (for example, the general-purpose print control program 45) included in the OS 44 when printing by the first route.

When printing is performed by the printing device 1 using the second path, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 2 standardizes the image data included in the label image file in the standardization process, and obtains the standard data. It is transmitted to the printing device 1. The printing device 1 performs a general-purpose rasterization process for rasterizing standard data, and prints based on the data rasterized by the general-purpose rasterization process. In the second path, the information processing apparatus 2 standardizes the image data to be printed by the general-purpose print control program 45 shown in FIG. The general-purpose rasterization process by the printing device 1 is an example of the second rasterization process, and the data rasterized by the printing device 1 is an example of the second data.

Since the second route uses the general-purpose print control program 45, which is a print control function included in the OS 44, it may not be possible to correspond to all the print settings that can be supported by the printing apparatus 1. For example, the general-purpose print control program 45 does not support high-resolution print settings that only a specific model can support. Therefore, in printing using the second route, printing settings that can be supported by many models are used.

As described above, the processing subject for rasterizing the image data to be printed is different between the first path and the second path. That is, the first route is a route for causing the information processing apparatus 2 to perform rasterization, and the second route is a route for causing the printing apparatus 1 to perform rasterization. Further, the rasterization processing algorithm is different between the first path and the second path, and the processing result may be different. That is, the first route is a route for performing rasterization that can correspond to detailed print settings, and the second route is a route for performing rasterization in which some print settings are restricted. Further, the type and data format of the data transmitted from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 are also different between the first path and the second path. As a result, even if the printed matter is based on the same label image file, the printed matter by the first path and the printed matter by the second path may have different print results.

The printing device 1 of the present embodiment can handle data transmitted by either the first path or the second path. Further, the information processing device 2 transmits data by using wireless communication by the network interface 27 in both the first path and the second path. That is, the communication mode is the same regardless of whether it is the first route or the second route.

Subsequently, the operation related to the installation in the printing system 100 of this embodiment will be described. The general-purpose print control program 45 used in the second path is provided by the OS 44. That is, if the information processing device 2 uses the OS 44 including the general-purpose print control program 45, the general-purpose print control program 45 can be used without performing the installation operation.

On the other hand, the image editing application 41 and the dedicated print control program 43 are not standard programs included in the OS 44. Therefore, in order to use the image editing application 41 or the dedicated print control program 43, it is necessary to install from an external server or a CD-ROM that stores these programs. And, the installation of the program takes a certain amount of time and effort, and in some cases, it requires a cost.

The information processing device 2 of the present embodiment determines a recommended route, which is a recommended processing route, for each user based on the usage status of the information processing device 2 by the user. The information processing device 2 has a low need for printing using the first route, for example, for a user who rarely uses the information processing device 2 or a user who is presumed not to make advanced printing settings. Therefore, the recommended route is determined as the second route. Printing by the second route does not require the installation of a program, and printing can be performed immediately with a simple operation.

On the other hand, for example, a user who frequently uses the information processing device 2 and is presumed to be skilled in using the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 is likely to be able to master advanced printing settings. .. Further, for example, when an application that can use the function of the dedicated print control program 43 is incorporated, there is a high need for printing on the first route. The information processing device 2 of the present embodiment determines, for example, a recommended route as the first route for a user who is presumed to have a high degree of skill or a user who is presumed to use advanced print settings. do. Printing by the first route requires the installation of the dedicated print control program 43, but since more detailed print settings are possible than in the second route, it is possible to obtain printed matter that meets the wishes of highly skilled users. The possibility increases.

The information processing device 2 may be shared by a plurality of users. In the information processing device 2 jointly used by a plurality of users, for example, a dedicated storage area is assigned to each user, and an application installed by the user or an instruction is given when printing is executed in the dedicated storage area. Information such as print settings is stored. In the following, a storage area dedicated to the user will be referred to as a user area. On the other hand, the information processing device 2 is also provided with a shared storage area that can be used by all users of the information processing device 2. In the following, a storage area shared by all users will be referred to as a shared area.

When determining the processing route when the information processing device 2 of the present embodiment is shared by a plurality of users, the information of the currently used user who is the user who is using the information processing device 2 at that time and the information of the currently used user are currently used. Refer to the application and print setting information stored in the user area of the user in use. For example, if an application that can use the functions of the dedicated print control program 43 is installed in the user area, or if the advanced print settings provided only in the first route are stored, the user's recommended route is used. Is the first route. As a result, even in the information processing device 2 shared by a plurality of users, an appropriate processing route is determined for the user currently in use.

Further, the information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment installs the dedicated print control program 43 when the recommended route is determined as the first route and the dedicated print control program 43 is not installed. As a result, when the processing route is determined to be the first route, the dedicated print control program 43 can be used, so that printing using the first route becomes possible. The information processing device 2 may automatically install the dedicated print control program 43, or may perform it after obtaining the permission of the user.

Subsequently, the procedure of the print route determination process executed by the information processing apparatus 2 in order to realize the operation of determining the process route including the above-mentioned installation operation in the printing system 100 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart. This print path determination process is executed by the CPU 21 of the information processing device 2, for example, when the image editing application 41 is started, the user of the image editing application 41 is switched, and the login operation to the information processing device 2 is accepted.

In the following, first, the processing of the information processing apparatus 2 shared by a plurality of users will be described. In the information processing device 2 shared by a plurality of users, the user who uses the information processing device 2 first performs a login operation. The information processing device 2 makes the user who last logged in the user currently in use, uses the user area of that user, and does not use the user area of another user.

In the print route determination process, the CPU 21 first executes a recommended route determination process for determining the process route recommended for each user for the currently used user (S101). The procedure of the recommended route determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the recommended route determination process, the CPU 21 first acquires the user information of the user currently in use (S201). The CPU 21 acquires, for example, login information from the OS 44, acquires a user name or a user ID based on the login information, and identifies a user area of the user currently in use.

Then, the CPU 21 acquires the information of the application installed in the user area of the user currently in use (S202). S202 is an example of the acquisition process. As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing device 2 stores, for example, an application list 241 including information on an application installed in a user area in a non-volatile memory 24 in association with a user name. The application list 241 includes, for example, the name of the application, information on the publisher of the application, the date and time of installation, and version information of the application.

Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a specific application is installed in the user area based on the application list 241 (S203). The specific application is, for example, an application having a function of interlocking with the dedicated print control program 43. A specific application is an example of an interlocking program.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image editing application 41 includes, for example, an interlocking application list 411 including information on an application having a function of interlocking with the dedicated print control program 43 as well as itself. The linked application list 411 includes, for example, the name of the application and the version information of the application. That is, each application stored in the interlocking application list 411 has a function of interlocking with the dedicated print control program 43 as long as the version is higher than the version stored in the version information. The CPU 21 determines YES in S203 when the application included in the linked application list 411 is included in the application list 241.

When it is determined that a specific application is installed in the user area (S203: YES), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route (S204), and ends the recommended route determination process. S204 is an example of the determination process. A user who has an application in the user area having a function of interlocking with the dedicated print control program 43 is likely to print with advanced settings. Further, it can be estimated that the user who installs the application in the user area has a high degree of skill in using the information processing device 2. When a specific application is installed in the user area of the user currently in use, the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the specific application is not installed in the user area (S203: NO), the CPU 21 acquires the information of the application installed in the shared area (S205). S205 is an example of the acquisition process. The application installed in the shared area is an application that can be used by all users. As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing device 2 stores, for example, an application list 242 including information on an application installed in the shared area in the non-volatile memory 24.

In the application list 242, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the name of the application, the information of the publisher of the application, the date and time of installation, the version information of the application, and the information of the user who has used the application are displayed. included. For example, when the application included in the application list 242 is started, the information processing device 2 adds and stores the information of the logged-in user as the user information to be used in the application list 242.

Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a specific application is installed in the shared area based on the application list 242 (S206). The specific application is, for example, an application having a function of interlocking with the dedicated print control program 43. Similar to S203, the CPU 21 uses the linked application list 411 to determine YES in S206 when the application included in the linked application list 411 is included in the application list 242.

When it is determined that a specific application linked with the dedicated print control program 43 is installed in the shared area (S206: YES), has the CPU 21 used the specific application by the user currently in use? It is determined whether or not (S207). For example, when the user information associated with the application determined to be a specific application includes information indicating the user currently in use based on the application list 242, the CPU 21 answers YES in S207. to decide.

Then, when it is determined that the user currently in use has used a specific application (S207: YES), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route (S204), and ends the recommended route determination process. do. A user using a specific application linked with the dedicated print control program 43 is likely to print with advanced settings.

If it is determined that a specific app is not installed in the shared area (S206: NO), or if a specific app is installed but the user currently using it has never used that specific app. When the determination is made (S207: NO), the CPU 21 acquires information on the frequency of use of the information processing device 2 by each user (S208). S208 is an example of the acquisition process.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the information processing device 2 stores a usage list 243 including information regarding login to the information processing device 2 in the non-volatile memory 24. In the usage list 243, for example, the user name of the logged-in user, the date and time of login, the date and time of logout, the printer name of the printer used most recently when printing was performed during login, and the print settings set for printing are displayed. Contains information. Although FIG. 9 shows only one login, the information processing device 2 additionally uses the login date and time and the log-out date and time each time it accepts the login operation and the log-out operation within a predetermined period. Save in Listing 243.

Then, the CPU 21 compares the frequency of use of the user currently in use with the frequency of use of another user, and determines whether or not the frequency of use of the user currently in use is higher than the reference value (S209). For example, the CPU 21 obtains information on the frequency of use for each user based on the length of the login time and the number of logins per predetermined period based on the usage list 243.

The reference value is, for example, the average value of the usage frequency of all users and the median value of the usage frequency of all users. For example, when the frequency of use of the users currently in use is higher than the average value of the frequency of use of all users, the CPU 21 determines YES in S209. Alternatively, the CPU 21 determines YES in S209 when, for example, the rank of the frequency of use of the currently used users is higher than the rank of the center of all users. When the information processing device 2 is used frequently, it can be inferred that the user has a high degree of skill. When it is determined that the user currently in use is frequently used (S209: YES), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route (S204), and ends the recommended route determination process.

When it is determined that the user currently in use is not frequently used (S209: NO), the CPU 21 acquires the acquisition history of the application by the user currently in use (S210). S210 is an example of the acquisition process. The CPU 21 acquires information on the application installed in the user area based on, for example, the application list 241. Further, the CPU 21 may acquire a list of applications acquired by the user currently in use by referring to, for example, the acquisition history of various sites from which the application can be acquired. The application acquisition history may include not only the application installed in the user area but also the application installed in the shared area as long as the application is acquired by the user currently in use.

Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the paid application or the application having the charging function is included in the application acquired by the user currently in use (S211). Paid apps are an example of paid programs. When it is determined that a paid application or an application having a charging function is included (S211: YES), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route (S204), and ends the recommended route determination process.

It can be inferred that the user who has acquired the paid application or the application having the charging function has a high authority to use the information processing device 2 and a high skill level. Instead of determining whether or not an application having a charging function is included, the determination of S211 may be made based on whether or not the charging function has been charged. Purchasing a paid application or charging for a billing function is an example of using a paid function.

When it is determined that the paid application or the application having the charging function is not included (S211: NO), the CPU 21 acquires the print history by the user currently in use (S212). The CPU 21 acquires the print history of the currently used user, for example, based on the usage list 243. Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the print history includes printing using advanced print settings (S213). The advanced print setting is a print setting that can be supported by printing on the first path, but cannot be supported by printing on the second path. Advanced print settings include, for example, color tone settings such as brightness and contrast, image quality settings such as high resolution, and print start timing settings.

Even if the application is installed in the shared area, if the application can save the dedicated settings for each user, the dedicated settings may be saved in the user area of each user. In this case, the CPU 21 may make the determination of S213 based on whether or not the contents of the dedicated settings stored in the user area include advanced print settings.

When it is determined that printing using advanced print settings is included (S213: YES), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the first route (S204), and ends the recommended route determination process. It can be inferred that the user who has used the advanced print settings is accustomed to using the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 and has a high degree of skill.

When it is determined that printing using advanced print settings is not included (S213: NO), the CPU 21 determines the recommended route as the second route (S214), and ends the recommended route determination process. S214 is an example of the determination process. If the CPU 21 has never received a print instruction from the user currently in use, the CPU 21 determines NO in S213. A user who has no history of using or acquiring an application related to printing and who uses the information processing device 2 infrequently is unlikely to be skilled in using the information processing device 2. Such users are unlikely to require advanced print settings and are likely to find the installation process cumbersome.

Returning to the description of the print route determination process of FIG. 4, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the recommended route determined in the recommended route determination process of S101 is the first route (S102). When it is determined that the recommended route is the first route (S102: YES), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the dedicated print control program 43 is installed (S103).

When it is determined that the dedicated print control program 43 is installed (S103: YES), the CPU 21 determines the process route to be used as the first route, which is the recommended route (S104), and ends the print route determination process. do. The CPU 21 determines YES in S103 regardless of whether the dedicated print control program 43 is present in the user area or the dedicated print control program 43 is present in the shared area. If the dedicated print control program 43 is installed, the information processing apparatus 2 can execute printing using the first route. Therefore, when the image editing application 41 receives a printing instruction from the user currently in use, the information processing device 2 executes printing using the first route.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the dedicated print control program 43 is not installed (S103: NO), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the user currently in use has the installation authority to install the application (S105). The installation authority is information managed by the OS 44, and is stored in the non-volatile memory 24 as registration information for each user, for example.

When it is determined that the user has the installation authority (S105: YES), the CPU 21 controls the operation display unit 26 to display a message requesting permission to install the dedicated print control program 43 (S106). Since some users may not want to install the dedicated print control program 43, the CPU 21 asks the user whether or not the installation can be executed before the installation.

Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the response for permitting the installation of the dedicated print control program 43 has been accepted (S107). When it is determined that the answer for permitting the installation has been obtained (S107: YES), the CPU 21 downloads the dedicated print control program 43 via the network interface 27, for example, and installs it in the user area or the shared area (S108). S108 is an example of the installation process. The area to be installed may be specified in the display of S106, or the area to be installed may be specified at the time of installation. Further, for example, when installing from an external server, a sign-in operation to the external server may be requested.

When the installation of the dedicated print control program 43 is completed, the CPU 21 determines the process route to be used as the first route, which is the recommended route (S104), and ends the print route determination process. Since the dedicated print control program 43 has been installed, the user currently in use can execute printing on the first route.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the user currently in use does not have the installation authority to install the application (S105: NO), or if it is determined that an answer that does not permit the installation is obtained (S107: NO), the CPU 21 prints. The process route used for is determined as the second route (S109), and the print route determination process is terminated. If the dedicated print control program 43 is not installed, the information processing apparatus 2 cannot execute printing on the first route. Therefore, the processing route is set to the second route instead of the recommended route, the first route. Even if a predetermined time has passed since the message was displayed in S106 and no answer can be obtained, it may be determined as NO in S107.

When it is determined that the recommended route determined in the recommended route determination process is the second route (S102: NO), the CPU 21 determines the process route to be used as the second route which is the recommended route (S102: NO). S104), the print route determination process is terminated. For example, if the user is presumed not to be skilled in using the information processing apparatus 2 and the first route is not recommended, it is preferable to use the second route as the processing route.

In the case of the information processing device 2 used by only one user, it is not necessary to distinguish between the users. In that case, since the CPU 21 does not distinguish between the user area and the shared area, the recommended route determination processes S203 and S206 are the same. Further, only one of S203 and S206 may be used. Further, the judgment of S207 may not be necessary. Further, in the determination of the frequency of use in S209 of the recommended route determination process, it is preferable to make the determination by comparing with a predetermined threshold value instead of comparing with other users. Further, it is not necessary to determine the installation authority in S105 of the print route determination process.

After determining the processing route of the user currently in use by the print route determination process, the information processing device 2 receives, for example, an instruction to execute printing by the image editing application 41. When the image editing application 41 receives a print instruction, the image editing application 41 processes the image data to be printed by using the determined processing route. The image editing application 41 displays, for example, a print setting screen having different settable items according to the processing route, and accepts the print setting. Further, since the data instructing the printing device 1 to print differs depending on the processing path, the information processing device 2 generates data corresponding to the determined processing path and transmits the data to the printing device 1.

As described in detail above, the information processing device 2 of the present embodiment is based on at least one of the information on the frequency of use of the user currently in use and the information on the application installed in the information processing device 2. , The recommended route is determined, and the dedicated print control program 43 is installed according to the route. Since the skill level of the user currently in use for the information processing device 2 can be estimated from the usage frequency information and the application information, the information processing device 2 allocates a recommended route based on the estimated skill level. That is, if it is presumed that the user has a high degree of skill, the first route that enables detailed print settings using the dedicated print control program 43 is recommended, and if the dedicated print control program 43 is not installed. Installes the dedicated print control program 43. On the other hand, if it is presumed that the user has a low skill level, the first route is not recommended and the dedicated print control program 43 is not installed. This enables appropriate printing according to the skill level of the user.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, as a matter of course, the present invention can be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the printing device 1 does not have to include the operation panel 13. The information processing device 2 is not limited to the non-volatile memory 24, and may be provided with any kind of large-capacity storage device.

Further, the communication method between the printing device 1 and the information processing device 2 is not limited to wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. For example, it may be a wired communication using a LAN cable or a USB cable, or may be a wireless communication based on another standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Further, it may have a plurality of communication functions.

Further, the image file to be printed is not limited to the label image file for printing on the label. For example, a PDF file, a compressed file such as JPEG, or a bitmap file may be used. When an image file other than the label image file is targeted, an image editing application 41 or a dedicated print control program 43 that matches the target image file may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second path is rasterized by the printing device 1, but any path different from the first path may be used, and the path may be rasterized by the information processing device 2. For example, if the general-purpose print control program 45 has a rasterization function, it may be rasterized by the rasterization function. Even in this case, the rasterization processing algorithm is different between the first path and the second path. Even in this case, the first route is a route that does not use the print control function of OS44, and the second route is a route that uses the print control function of OS44.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is described that there are two types of routes that can be handled by the printing system 100, the first route and the second route, but there may be other routes. Other routes include, for example, a route for printing using a dedicated driver for the device, and a route for printing using CUPS, which is a printing driver for Unix, macOS, and Linux (registered trademark). The device-dedicated driver and CUPS are programs that need to be installed and are incorporated in the OS44 (see FIG. 2) of the information processing apparatus 2 to rasterize image data. The present invention can be applied to a device-dedicated driver or a printing system having a pair of CUPS and a second path instead of the pair of the first path and the second path.

Further, in the present embodiment, the print route determination process performs each determination of S203, S206, S207, S209, S211 and S213 in this order to determine the recommended route, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is not necessary to make all these judgments. Further, the order of judgment is not limited to the example of this embodiment, and may be any order. For example, it may be decided by only one of these judgments, or it may be decided by some of these judgments. For example, if the user makes only the determination of S209 and frequently uses the user, the recommended route may be the first route. That is, it may be only a judgment based on the frequency of use, or only a judgment based on the information of the application. Moreover, other judgments may be added.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the dedicated print control program 43 is installed in the shared area, the recommended route is determined based on whether or not the user currently in use has used it, but the judgment of use is determined. You don't have to do it. If the dedicated print control program 43 is installed in the shared area, any user can execute printing using the dedicated print control program 43. Therefore, the recommended route of all users may be set as the first route.

Further, in the present embodiment, the frequency of use for each user is determined by comparing with the frequency of use of other users, but for example, it may be compared with a fixed value. For example, a threshold value for the number of logins and a login time per unit period may be set, and a judgment may be made based on a comparison between the usage frequency of the user currently in use and the threshold value. Further, in the present embodiment, the frequency of use is determined based on the login information, but it may be determined based on the frequency of printing execution instead of the login information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the usage list 243 includes the information of the printer name used most recently, but it does not have to be the latest one. For example, the usage history may be kept every time the printer is used.

Further, the information processing device 2 may include paid information and billing information of the application. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a table 25 for storing information on installed applications for each user may be provided. For example, the information processing device 2 may create a table 25 in the user area and store information such as an application name, a price at the time of installing the application, and a charge amount for each function. In the example of FIG. 10, the installation price of the application A is free and there is no charge. Further, although the installation price of the application B is free, a charge is required to use the function X or the function Y. In addition, the installation price of application C is charged, and there is no charge. The information processing device 2 acquires information from the table 25 in S210 of the recommended route determination process, and when the table 25 includes the application C whose installation price is charged and the application B including the charging function, in S211. Judge as YES. In this way, the information of the application installed by each user can be acquired collectively.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image editing application 41 has a function of editing an image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image may be edited by another general-purpose application, and the image editing application 41 may have a function of printing a file created by the general-purpose application.

Further, the process disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. In addition, the process disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various aspects such as a recording medium or a method in which a program for executing the process is recorded.

1 Printing device 2 Information processing device 27 Network interface 41 Image editing application 43 Dedicated print control program 44 OS
100 printing system

Claims (11)

It is provided with a communication interface, connects to a printer via the communication interface, and corresponds to a specific model including the model of the printer as a processing path for processing data instructing the printer to print based on image data to be printed. To an information processing device having a first route that uses a specific program, which is a program to be printed, and a second route that does not use the specific program.
An acquisition process for acquiring at least one of the information on the frequency of use, which is the frequency of using the information processing device for each user, and the information on the application program incorporated in the information processing device.
Based on the information acquired in the acquisition process and the information of the user who is currently using the information processing device, the process of processing the data by printing according to the instruction of the user who is currently using the information processing device. A determination process for determining a route as either the first route or the second route, and
An installation process for installing the specific program when the determination process determines the first route and the specific program is not incorporated.
A program characterized by executing. In the program according to claim 1,
In the acquisition process, information on the frequency of use is acquired, and the information is obtained.
In the determination process, when the frequency of use of the user who is currently using the information processing device is higher than the reference value, the process route is determined to be the first route.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the acquisition process, the information of the application program is acquired from the storage area assigned to each user of the information processing apparatus.
In the determination process, when the information of the application program of the user who is currently using the information processing device includes the information of the interlocking program which is a program having a function of interlocking with the specific program, the processing route is set. The first route is determined.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the acquisition process, the information of the application program is acquired from the storage area shared by the user of the information processing apparatus.
In the determination process, the information acquired in the acquisition process includes information on the interlocking program, which is a program having a function of interlocking with the specific program, and is described by a user who is currently using the information processing device. When the interlocking program has been executed, the processing route is determined to be the first route.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the acquisition process, the information of the application program is acquired from the storage area assigned to each user of the information processing apparatus.
In the determination process, the information of the application program of the user who is currently using the information processing device includes the information of the paid program or the program having the billing function, and the paid function of the program is used. If there is, the processing route is determined to be the first route.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the acquisition process, the print history of the printer is acquired as the information of the application program.
In the determination process, when the print history acquired in the acquisition process includes the print performed by the user who is currently using the information processing device and the color tone is set, the process path is set. The first route is determined.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
In the installation process, when the determination process determines the first route and the specific program is not incorporated, an inquiry is made as to whether or not to permit the installation of the specific program, and the installation is permitted. On the condition that the above-mentioned specific program is installed,
A program characterized by that. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
When the user is switched, at least the determination process is executed by the information processing apparatus.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The first route is a route in which the information processing apparatus executes the first rasterization process and the printer receives and prints the first data after rasterization.
The second route is a route in which the printer executes a second rasterization process and prints using the second data after rasterization.
A program characterized by that. An information processing device that has a communication interface, is connected to a printer via the communication interface, and has a print control function in the operating system.
An acquisition process for acquiring at least one of the information on the frequency of use of the information processing device for each user and the information on the application program incorporated in the information processing device.
Based on the information acquired in the acquisition process, the printing procedure for the user who is currently using the information processing apparatus is described in the first printing procedure not using the print control function and the second printing procedure using the print control function. The printing procedure, the decision process to decide on one of them, and
An installation process for installing the specific program when the determination process determines the first printing procedure and the specific program, which is a program corresponding to the specific model including the printer model, is not incorporated. When,
A program characterized by executing. In a printing system including an information processing device and a printer, and communicating between the information processing device and the printer using specific communication.
As a process path for processing data that instructs the printer to print based on the image data to be printed by using the specific communication.
A first path in which the information processing apparatus executes the first rasterization process and the printer receives and prints the first rasterized data.
A second path in which the printer executes a second rasterization process and prints using the second rasterized data,
Have,
The information processing device
An acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the information on the frequency of use, which is the frequency of using the information processing device for each user, and the information on the application program incorporated in the information processing device.
Based on the information acquired by the acquisition means and the information of the user who is currently using the information processing device, the process of processing the data by printing according to the instruction of the user who is currently using the information processing device. Determining means for determining the route to either the first route or the second route, and
An installation means for installing the specific program when the determination means determines the first route and the specific program for performing the first rasterization process is not incorporated.
To prepare
A printing system characterized by that.

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