JP7183688B2 - Information processing device, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, printing method, and program.

2. Description of the Related Art In image forming apparatuses such as printers, a technique is already known that enables setting of user IDs and passwords for departmental printing management.

There is known an apparatus that saves the trouble of re-entering the user ID and password by causing the printer driver to read out the user ID and password stored in the printer description file when printing with such an image forming apparatus (Patent Document 2). 1).

However, with the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200011, when printing is performed from an application that does not use a printer driver, it is not possible to read out the user ID and password and authenticate the user. As described above, in the conventional technology, print settings that can be set when using a printer driver, such as a user ID and password, can be used when printing is performed from an application that does not use a printer driver. could not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an information processing apparatus and printing method that can use the same print settings as when using a printer driver even when printing from an application that does not use a printer driver. , and to provide programs.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that communicates with devices connected via a network, in which a first setting value is specified by a user for print settings. a setting designation unit for determining whether the first set value is designated by the setting designation unit for the print settings related to the generated print data ; and the determination unit print settings related to the first print data when it is determined that the first set value is specified for the print settings by the setting specifying unit as the first print data ; a writing unit that associates the first setting value specified by the setting specifying unit with the print setting and writes it into a print setting information storage unit; and the first setting value of the first print data. a command addition unit that adds a first print command corresponding to the print setting including the setting value of to the first print data; and the first print data to which the first print command is added, a transmission unit for transmitting to the device via the network; a reading unit for reading out from the print setting information storage unit the first setting value written in the print setting information storage unit when the print data is set as the print data of adding a second print command corresponding to the print setting including the first setting value read by the unit to the second print data, and the transmission unit receives the added second print command. The second print data is transmitted to the device via the network .

According to the present invention, even when printing from an application that does not use a printer driver, it is possible to use the same print settings as when using a printer driver.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the printer according to the embodiment; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a client PC according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration and operation of a client PC according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a basic explanatory diagram of "Library Validation". FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print settings displayed by the print dialog when "Library Validation" is enabled. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of print settings displayed by the print dialog when "Library Validation" is disabled. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a Driver according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of printing operation using the printer driver of the client PC according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of determination processing by a UI setting determination unit; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of print settings according to the embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of PPD print settings according to the embodiment. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration and operation of the client PC according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a printing operation without using the printer driver of the client PC according to the embodiment; FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of print processing by the client PC according to the embodiment; 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a Driver according to a modification of the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of print processing procedures by a client PC according to the modification of the embodiment;

Embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a printing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. FIG. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and the constituent elements in the following embodiments can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, substantially the same, and so-called equivalent ranges. is included. Furthermore, various omissions, replacements, changes and combinations of components can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment. A client PC 200 as an information processing apparatus included in the system 1 according to the embodiment is a client PC 200 that communicates with a printer 100 as a device connected via a network. A print dialog 240, a print queue storage unit 212 as a print setting information storage unit in which print settings and setting values are linked and stored, applications 250a and 250b as data generation units for generating print data, and print settings. A UI setting determination unit D2 as a determination unit that determines whether or not a setting value is specified for the print setting, and a PPD writing unit as a writing unit that writes the print setting and the setting value to the print queue storage unit 212 in association with each other. D1, a PPD reading unit D3 as a reading unit that reads setting values corresponding to the print settings from the print queue storage unit 212, and print data added with print commands corresponding to the print settings including the setting values are transmitted to the device. and a communication executing unit 216 as a transmitting unit. Details of the system 1 of the embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 1 of the embodiment includes a client PC (Personal Computer) 200 and a printer 100 . Client PC 200 and printer 100 are connected to each other via network 90 . The network 90 is, for example, an in-house computer network such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network) used in a company office.

A printer 100 as a device (more specifically, an image forming apparatus) has, for example, a printing function. The client PC 200 as an information processing apparatus transmits print data such as image data and print settings to the printer 100 via the network 90 to execute printing. In the example of FIG. 1, one client PC 200 and one printer 100 are provided, but the number of client PCs 200 and printers 100 is not limited to this.

(Printer hardware configuration)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 100 has a configuration in which a controller 110 and an engine 160 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus.

The engine unit 160 is a printer engine connectable to the PCI bus, and has, for example, a black-and-white plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, and a 4-drum color plotter. The engine section 160 includes an image processing section such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine section such as a plotter.

The controller 110 controls the overall control of the printer 100 , drawing, communication, and input from the operation display device 120 provided in the printer 100 . Specifically, the controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a northbridge (NB) 113, a system memory (MEM-P) 112, a southbridge (SB) 114, and a local memory (MEM-C ) 117 , an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 116 , and a hard disk drive (HDD) 103 .

A CPU 111 performs overall control of the printer 100 . The CPU 111 is connected to other devices via a chipset consisting of an NB 113, a MEM-P 112, and an SB 114. FIG. An AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 115 is connected between the NB 113 and the ASIC 116 . ASIC 116 may be directly connected to client PC 200 via, for example, a Centronics cable.

The NB 113 is a bridge that connects the CPU 111, the MEM-P 112, the SB 114, and the AGP bus 115, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing with respect to the MEM-P 112, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

The SB 114 is a bridge that connects the NB 113 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The SB 114 is connected to the NB 113 via the PCI bus. A network interface (I/F) 170 for mutual communication with the client PC 200 is also connected to the PCI bus.

The MEM-P 112 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory for the printer 100, and the like. The MEM-P 112 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112b.

The ROM 112a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 112b is a writable and readable memory used as a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory for the printer 100, and the like.

The ASIC 116 is an image processing IC (Integrated Circuit) having hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 115, PCI bus, HDD 103 and MEM-C 117, respectively. The ASIC 116 consists of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 116, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 117, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers), and a PCI unit. The DMAC rotates image data by hardware logic or the like. The PCI unit transfers data to and from the engine section 160 via the PCI bus.

An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 130, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 140, and an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 150 are connected to the ASIC 116 via a PCI bus. Operation display device 120 is directly connected to ASIC 116 .

The MEM-C 117 is used as a copy image buffer and code buffer.

The HDD 103 is a storage that stores image data, programs, font data, and forms. The HDD 103 stores license files for applications executed by the printer 100 .

The AGP bus 115 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP bus 115 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 112 with high throughput.

(Hardware configuration of client PC)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the client PC 200 has a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an HDD 204, a device I/F 205, and a network I/F 208, which are interconnected via a system bus. A display unit 206 and an operation unit 207 are connected to the device I/F 205 .

A CPU 201 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the client PC 200 . The RAM 202 is a volatile storage medium from which information can be read and written at high speed, and is used as a working area when the CPU 201 processes information. The ROM 203 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware.

The HDD 204 is a nonvolatile storage medium from which information can be read and written, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like. The HDD 204 stores files and data necessary for realizing various functions of the client PC 200 .

A device I/F 205 is an interface that connects each of the display unit 206 and the operation unit 207 to the system bus. A display unit 206 is a visual user interface that displays various types of information, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). An operation unit 207 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse that allows the user to input various information to the client PC 200 .

Network I/F 208 is an interface that connects client PC 200 to network 90 .

In such a hardware configuration, the CPU 201 performs calculations according to programs stored in the ROM 203 and programs loaded from the HDD 204 or a storage medium such as an optical disk (not shown) to the RAM 202, thereby configuring the software control unit. A functional block that implements the functions of the client PC 200 is configured by combining the software control unit configured in this manner with hardware.

The program for the client PC 200 may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium as a file in an installable format or an executable format and distributed.

(Functional configuration of client PC)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration and operation of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the client PC 200 includes a PDE (Print Dialog Extension) 230, a print dialog 240, an application 250a and an application 250b described later, and a printing system (CUPS: Common Unix (registered trademark) Printing System) on an OS 220. System) 210.

The printing system 210 includes a generation unit 211, a print queue storage unit (Config Files) 212, a spooler (cupsd) 213, a conversion information storage unit (mime.convs, mime.types) 214, a conversion unit 215, and communication and an execution unit 216 .

The generation unit 211 is one aspect of the Autosetup Tool, and is a program that rewrites the print queue storage unit 212 in order to create a print queue. For example, when generating a print queue, the generation unit 211 checks the IP address of the connected printer 100 and stores correspondence information in which the IP address is associated with the print queue in the print queue storage unit 212 . Note that in the case of a print protocol other than the Internet protocol, such as USB and Bluetooth (registered trademark), the generation unit 211 stores correspondence information describing that the print queue does not have an IP address in the print queue storage unit 212. save. The Autosetup Tool is generally developed and provided by a printer vendor.

A print queue storage unit 212 as a print setting information storage unit stores, for example, printer settings including the printing system 210, a print protocol to be used, and a connection destination address on the protocol. The print queue storage unit 212 also holds a printer description file (PPD: PostScript Printer Description) in which information for each model of PostScript (registered trademark) printer is recorded. The PPD is referenced by the PostScript printer driver when printing.

The spooler 213 is one aspect of cupsd, and converts the format of print data received from the application 250a into the format of print data to be output to the printer 100 described in the print queue storage unit 212 when printing is executed. , the conversion information storage unit 214 is referred to form a filter pipeline with a low processing cost, and the print data is sent to the filter pipeline. “Forming a filter pipeline” means arranging filters (for example, the Filter and Driver of the conversion unit 215 and the Backends of the communication execution unit 216) that flow print data in order. Filters also include Drivers and Backends. As the processing cost information, for example, items such as processing load, no deterioration of image quality, good processing efficiency, etc. are comprehensively evaluated and a weighting value is assigned to each filter. A filter pipeline with low processing cost can be formed by arranging the filters in such an order that

The conversion information storage unit 214 stores mime. convs, mime. It is one aspect of types, and is originally held by the printing system 210 as information for forming a filter pipeline. Information such as an input data format, an output data format, and a processing cost is saved for each filter of the printing system 210 . For example, in the case of Mac OS X (registered trademark), /usr/share/cups/mime/apple. convs and /usr/share/cups/mime/mime. convs corresponds to this. mime. Types defines a rule for determining the file type of print data. For example, in the case of Mac OS X (registered trademark), /usr/share/cups/mime/apple. types and /usr/share/cups/mime/mime. types corresponds to this.

The conversion unit 215 has Filters A to H and Drivers a to d. Filter converts the format of print data. The printing system 210 has various filters from the beginning in order to support various input formats and output formats. For example, there is a filter that converts PDF data into PostScript data, a filter that converts PDF data into raster data, and a filter that converts raster data into tiff data. For example, in the case of Mac OS X (registered trademark), filters that the printing system 210 originally has are stored in /usr/libexec/cups/filter/.

A driver is generally provided by a printer vendor, and is a filter that converts data into a print data format unique to the printer vendor or adds a print command unique to the printer vendor to print data after data conversion by the filter is completed. . Which driver is used when printing is defined in the print queue.

The communication executing section 216 as a transmitting section is composed of a plurality of Backends. In the example of FIG. 4, the communication execution unit 216 includes Backends USB to Backends SMB. Each Backend included in the communication execution unit 216 has the function of a communication module that communicates with the printer 100 . Each Backends included in the communication execution unit 216 is an independent execution file. Each Backend included in the communication execution unit 216 is associated with each communication protocol. That is, one communication protocol has one corresponding Backends.

The application 250a as a data generator is a general application installed in the OS 220 and used. The application 250a executes printing using a printer driver, unlike the application 250b described later.

A print dialog 240 as a first setting designation section is provided by the OS 220 . The print dialog 240 provides a user interface for selecting a printer function that the user wants to use, such as inputting setting values for various print setting items (for example, double-sided printing) that are print settings. As a user interface, the OS 220 basically displays the contents described in the PPD.

The PDE 230 is a plug-in module provided by the printer vendor, and is a module for the printer vendor to provide its own user interface. When providing a richer user interface, the PDE 230 is displayed as part of the print dialog 240 (second setting designation section) by extending the print dialog 240 with a plug-in. PDE 230 allows the setting of the PPD to be extended. For example, one example is user authentication using a user ID and password. The expansion of user authentication is performed for the purpose of suppressing leakage of information, management of printing by departments, and the like.

Here, an example of control of the application 250a, the print dialog 240, and the PDE 230 by the control unit will be described using "Library Validation" as an example, using FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. "Library Validation" is a mechanism provided by macOS for the purpose of strengthening security, and is set to be effective when an application creator electronically signs an application.

FIG. 5 is a basic explanatory diagram of "Library Validation". As shown in FIG. 5, when "Library Validation" is enabled for an application 250a, only a module with the same signature or a module manufactured by Apple Inc. can be activated from that application 250a. In the example shown in FIG. 5, an application 250a made by company A whose "Library Validation" is valid can call modules made by Apple such as the print dialog 240, but cannot call modules made by company B without the signature of company A. . In addition, a module manufactured by Company C (for example, PDE230) without a signature of Company A cannot be called from a module manufactured by Apple, which is called from an application manufactured by Company A in which "Library Validation" is valid. In other words, the user interface (UI) extended by the PDE 230 cannot be displayed from the application 250a for which "Library Validation" is valid. Display control of print settings in the print dialog 240 when "Library Validation" is valid and when "Library Validation" is invalid will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of print settings displayed by the print dialog 240 when "Library Validation" is enabled. The print dialog 240 refers to the PPD regardless of the "Library Validation" setting, and displays print setting items such as UserID (PPD), duplex, and color, which are the print settings of the PPD. In addition, since "Library Validation" is set to valid, the print dialog 240 cannot load the PDE 230, so only the print setting items provided by the PPD are displayed. For example, UserID displays UserID (PPD) provided by PPD.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of print settings displayed by the print dialog 240 when "Library Validation" is disabled. The print dialog 240 refers to the PPD regardless of the "Library Validation" setting, and displays the print settings in the print dialog 240 in the same manner as when "Library Validation" is enabled. Also, since “Library Validation” is disabled here, the print dialog 240 loads the PDE 230 . As such, the print dialog 240 can also display the print settings of the PDE 230 . As it is, the same print setting item provided from the PPD and the PDE 230 will be displayed twice, so the PDE 230 hides the value of the same print setting item provided from the PPD in the print dialog 240. control. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, two UserIDs are displayed, the UserID (PDE) provided by the PDE 230 and the UserID (PPD) provided by the PPD. PPD) is hidden. As a result, only the UserID provided by the PDE 230 is displayed.

Here, a configuration example of the Driver included in the conversion unit 215 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a Driver according to the embodiment; FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, each of Drivers a to d has a PPD writing section D1, a UI setting determining section D2, a PPD reading section D3, and a command adding section D4.

The UI setting determination unit D2 serving as a determination unit determines print settings (print setting items) using the print dialog 240 provided by the OS 220 and the PDE 230 for each print setting (print setting item) such as a user ID, password, double-sided printing, and paper size. ) is specified.

If the setting values are specified, the UI setting determination unit D2 instructs the PPD writing unit D1 to write the print settings to the PPD. A PPD writing unit D1 as a writing unit stores print settings in a PPD.

If the setting values are not specified, the UI setting determination unit D2 instructs the PPD reading unit D3 to read the print settings from the PPD. A PPD reading unit D3 as a reading unit reads print settings from the PPD and reflects the read print settings on the current print settings, that is, the print settings to be used for printing this time.

When the processing for all print settings (print setting items) is completed, the UI setting determination unit D2 instructs the command addition unit D4 to add print commands corresponding to the print settings (print setting items). A command addition unit D<b>4 as an addition unit adds print commands corresponding to print settings (print setting items) to print data, and sends the print data to Backends of the communication execution unit 216 .

(Operation using printer driver of client PC)
Next, operations using the printer driver of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9. FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of printing operation using the printer driver of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment.

When printing is executed in the general application 250a shown in FIG. 4, the print dialog 240 and the PDE 230 are called in sequence (FIGS. 91-1.1). It should be noted that the PDE 230 is not called when the "Library Validation" explained with an example is valid. The PDE 230 returns to the print dialog 240 the setting values including the user ID and password set on the user interface. The application 250a generates print data (FIG. 92). The print settings and print data are sent to the spooler 213 (FIG. 93).

Spooler 213 forms the filter pipeline (FIG. 9 3.1-3.2). The file format of the print data is converted by the filter of the conversion unit 215 (3.2.1 to 3.2.2 in FIG. 9). Also, the Driver converts the print data into a unique print data format.

The UI setting determination unit D2 of the Driver determines whether or not print settings such as a user ID and password have been specified through the user interface (3.2.2.1 in FIG. 9). More specifically, the UI setting determination unit D2 determines whether print settings have been specified in the print setting items of the print dialog 240 or the PDE 230 . This determination processing will be described later with reference to FIG. In the application 250a that executes printing using the printer driver, there are print settings (see FIGS. 11 and 12) that include set values such as a user ID and password set on the user interface. Such print settings (set values of print setting items) are saved in the PPD (3.2.2.2 in FIG. 9). The command adding unit D4 adds commands to the print data (3.2.2.3 in FIG. 9). The Driver repeats this sequence for all print settings (print setting items).

After that, the print data is sent to the printer 100 and printed by Backends included in the communication execution unit 216 (3.2.2.3.1 in FIG. 9).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of determination processing by the UI setting determination unit D2. The UI setting determination unit D2 determines whether or not print settings are designated by the UI (PDE 230) provided from the PDE 230 as follows.

First, in step S11, the UI setting determination unit D2 examines the received argument, and determines whether the com. ricoh. printsettings. 11 Determine whether a value is set in AUUserID (see FIG. 11). com. ricoh. printsettings. If a value is set in 11AU UserID (Yes), the UI setting determination unit D2 determines that a value has been set in the UI (PDE 230), and terminates this determination process.

com. ricoh. printsettings. If no value has been set in 11AUUserID (No), no value has been set in the PDE 230 . Therefore, in step S12, the UI setting determination unit D2 checks the value of RIUserIDStrings (see FIG. 12) and determines whether the value is set in the UI (PPD) provided by the PPD. Note that RIUserIDStrings is set to a value specified by the PPD, but the default value cannot be empty due to the behavior of the PPD for controls for entering character strings such as User ID. Therefore, "None" or the like is set as a default value. That is, even if the user does not specify a User ID on the UI, the value of RIUserIDStrings is non-empty and indicates a default value. Therefore, if the value of RIUserIDStrings is not equal to the default value (No), the UI setting determination unit D2 determines that the value has been set in the UI (PPD), and terminates this determination process. If the value of RIUserID is equal to the default value (Yes), the UI setting determination unit D2 determines that the value is not set in the UI (PPD), and terminates this determination process.

Here, FIG. 11 shows a specific example of print settings passed by the spooler 213 to the Filter, Driver, and Backends. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of print settings according to the embodiment; Filter, Driver, and Backends receive the values shown in FIG. 11 from the spooler 213 as command line arguments.

N in "argv[N]" corresponds to what number the argument is. The fifth argument "argv[5]" lists all print settings specified in the user interface. "com.ricoh.printsettings.11AUuserID=userid" on the last line indicates that the value "userid" is set for the keyword "11AUuserID" defined by Ricoh, the printer vendor. "com.ricoh.printsettings.11AUUserID" is a print setting (print setting item) of "user ID" specified by the plug-in. On the other hand, "RIUserID" is a "user ID" specified on the PPD side.

Also, FIG. 12 shows a PPD in which print settings are saved. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of PPD print settings according to the embodiment. A PPD is a text file that describes printer-specific information. In the case of Mac OS X (registered trademark), a PPD corresponding to the print queue is created in the /etc/cups/ppd directory. The print settings are saved in the PPD associated with each print queue.

In the PPD grammar, strings beginning with an asterisk (*) are called keywords. Keywords include those predefined as PPD specifications and those freely defined by printer vendors or users under certain rules. For example, "*PPD-Adobe" indicates the version of the PPD specification that the PPD complies with. By specifying the value with a colon (:) after the keyword, the value can be associated with the keyword. Using this, the print settings are saved in the PPD. Lines starting with "*%" are ignored as comments.

The second line "*RIUserIDString: userid" in FIG. 12 is an example of the print settings saved in the PPD. "*RIUserIDString" is a keyword meaning a user ID, and "userid" is a value specified as a user ID.

The Driver can read and write the value of each print setting from the PPD via a keyword.

(Operation without using printer driver of client PC)
Next, the operation of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment without using the printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the functional configuration and operation of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of printing operation without using the printer driver of the client PC 200 according to the embodiment.

An application 250b as a data generator shown in FIG. 12 is an application that does not use a printer driver. When printing is executed in the application 250b, the application 250b itself sends the print settings and print data directly to the spooler 213 without calling the print dialog 240 (1 to 4 in FIG. 14). In this case, since the print dialog 240 is not called, the functions of the printer driver displayed by the plug-in of the print dialog 240 cannot be used. In other words, the print settings sent from the application 250b to the spooler 213 do not include setting values such as the user ID and password. Instead of calling the print dialog 240, the application 250b itself may display a screen for print settings.

The spooler 213 forms a filter pipeline (Fig. 14 4.1-4.2). The file format of the print data is converted by the filter of the converter 215 (4.2.1 to 4.2.2 in FIG. 14). Also, the Driver converts the print data into a unique print data format.

The UI setting determination unit D2 of the Driver determines whether or not print settings such as a user ID and password have been specified through the user interface (4.2.2.1 in FIG. 14). In the application 250b that executes printing without using a printer driver, if the print settings do not include setting values, the PPD reading unit D3 reads the print settings including the user ID and password from the PPD (see 4.2.2 in FIG. 14). .2). If the print settings include setting values, the PPD writing unit D1 saves the print settings in the PPD. The command adding unit D4 adds commands to the print data (4.2.2.3 in FIG. 14). The Driver repeats this sequence for all print settings.

After that, the print data is sent to the printer 100 and printed by Backends included in the communication execution unit 216 (4.2.2.3.1 in FIG. 14).

(Print processing by client PC)
Next, an example of print processing by the client PC 200 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of print processing procedures by the client PC 200 according to the embodiment.

First, print processing from the application 250a will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, when printing is executed from the application 250a in step S101a, print settings including user ID and password settings are performed from the print dialog 240 in step S102a. In step S<b>103 a , the application 250 a generates print data and sends the generated print data to the spooler 213 .

In step S104, the spooler 213 passes the print data from the application 250a to the filter. In step S105, the filter converts the format of the print data.

In step S106, the UI setting determination unit D2 of the Driver determines whether or not print settings have been specified through the user interface. Since the printing is from the application 250a this time (Yes), in step S107, the PPD writing unit D1 saves the print settings in the PPD. In step S109, the command addition section D4 adds a command to the print data. The Driver repeats steps S106 to S109 for all print settings.

In step S110, the Driver passes the print data to Backends.

In step S111, Backends transmits the print data to the printer 100. FIG. Thus, the print processing from the application 250a ends.

Next, print processing from the application 250b will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, when printing is executed from the application 250b in step S101b, for example, a print dialog provided by the application 250b is displayed and print settings are made in step S102b. Such print settings do not include user ID and password settings. In step S<b>103 b , the application 250 b generates print data and sends the generated print data to the spooler 213 .

In step S104, the spooler 213 passes the print data from the application 250b to Filter. In step S105, the filter converts the format of the print data.

In step S106, the UI setting determination unit D2 of the Driver determines whether or not print settings have been specified through the user interface. Since this time the printing is from the application 250b and the print settings may not be made, in this case (No), the PPD reading unit D3 reads the print settings from the PPD in step S108. In step S109, the command addition section D4 adds a command to the print data. The Driver repeats steps S106 to S109 for all print settings.

In step S110, the Driver passes the print data to Backends.

In step S111, Backends transmits the print data to the printer 100. FIG. Thus, the print processing from the application 250b ends.

For example, in the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a user ID and password are set by a printer driver, they are stored in a PPD in association with login user information. From the next printing, when the logged-in user performs printing, the printer driver reads and sets the saved user ID and password, thereby saving the trouble of having the user set them each time printing is performed. However, when printing from an application that does not use the printer driver, the printer driver is not called and the saved user ID and password cannot be read.

In the client PC 200 of the embodiment, the driver determines from the user interface whether or not print settings have been made, and if not, reads the print settings from the PPD and reflects them in the current print settings. . As a result, user authentication can be performed even when printing from an application that does not use a printer driver. Therefore, the user can use the user authentication function more widely and easily.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the UI setting determination unit D2 of the Driver determines the presence or absence of print settings. The client PC of the modification of the embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in that it determines whether or not to read print settings from the PPD depending on whether a flag is set in the PPD.

The client PC according to the modification of the embodiment is configured such that when printing is executed from an application 250b that does not use a printer driver, a flag is set in the PPD. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the Driver of the modified example of the embodiment includes, for example, a PPD flag determination unit D5 as a flag determination unit instead of or in addition to the UI setting determination unit D2. have

In step S206 of FIG. 17, the PPD flag determination unit D5 determines whether or not the PPD is flagged. If the flag is not set in the PPD (No), it is determined that the printing is from the application 250a using the printer driver and that the print settings have been made through the user interface. Then, the PPD writing unit D1 saves such settings in the PPD.

If the flag is set in the PPD (Yes), it is determined that the printing is from the application 250b that does not use the printer driver and that the print settings have not been made through the user interface. Then, the PPD reading unit D3 reads the print settings from the PPD.

In the client PC of the modified example of the embodiment, the function of user authentication using the Driver can be used as a hidden function, for example.

(Other modifications)
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is the printer 100, but it is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus may be, for example, a copier, a scanner, a facsimile, etc., or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having at least two functions out of a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. may be

In the above-described embodiment, as print settings that can be used even when a printer driver is not used, setting values related to user authentication have been mainly exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various settings that can be used in an image forming apparatus such as the printer 100 are included as settings for image formation (during image output) that can be used even when a driver such as a printer driver is not used.

A program executed by the computer of the embodiment is preinstalled in a ROM or the like and provided. In addition, the above program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. as a file in an installable format or an executable format. may be provided

Furthermore, the program executed in the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed in the embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

1 system 90 network 100 printer 110 controller 160 engine section 200 client PC
210 printing system 211 generation unit 212 print queue storage unit 213 spooler 214 conversion information storage unit 215 conversion unit 216 communication execution unit 220 OS
230 PDEs
240 Print dialog 250a, 250b Application D1 PPD writing unit D2 UI setting determination unit D3 PPD reading unit D4 Command addition unit D5 PPD flag determination unit

JP 2015-111376 A

Claims (5)

An information processing device that communicates with a device connected via a network,
a setting designation unit that causes a user to designate a first setting value for print settings;
a determination unit that determines whether the first setting value is specified by the setting specifying unit for print settings related to the generated print data ;
When print data for which the setting specifying unit determines that the first setting value is specified for the print setting by the determination unit is set as first print data, printing according to the first print data a writing unit that associates a setting with the first setting value specified by the setting specifying unit for the print setting and writes the setting into a print setting information storage unit;
a command addition unit that adds a first print command corresponding to the print settings including the first set value of the first print data to the first print data;
a transmission unit configured to transmit the first print data to which the first print command is added to the device via the network;
When print data for which the setting specifying unit determines that the first setting value is not specified for the print settings in the determination unit is set as second print data, the print setting information storage unit stores: a reading unit that reads the written first setting value from the print setting information storage unit;
has
The command addition unit adds a second print command corresponding to the print setting including the first setting value read by the read unit to the second print data,
The transmission unit transmits the second print data to which the second print command is added to the device via the network.
Information processing equipment. a flag determination unit that determines whether a flag indicating that printing has been executed from an application that does not use a printer driver is set ;
If the flag is not set, the first print data is from an application using a printer driver, and the writing unit writes the print settings related to the first print data and the print settings. writing to the print setting information storage unit in association with the first setting value specified by the setting specifying unit ;

When the flag is set, the second print data is from an application that does not use a printer driver, and the reading unit stores the first setting values corresponding to the print settings in the print setting information storage unit. read from
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the first setting value is a value for user authentication,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A printing method executed by an information processing device communicating with a device connected via a network,
a setting specifying step in which the setting specifying unit causes the user to specify a first setting value for the print setting;
When the print data is generated by the data generation unit, the determination unit determines whether the first setting value is designated by the setting designation unit for print settings related to the generated print data. a determination step to
When the writing unit determines, as first print data , print data for which the setting specifying unit determines that the first setting value is specified for the print settings , the first printing is performed. a writing step of linking print settings related to data and the first setting values specified by the setting specifying unit for the print settings and writing them into a print setting information storage unit;
a command addition step in which a command adding unit adds a first print command corresponding to the print settings including the first set value of the first print data to the first print data;
a transmission step in which a transmission unit transmits the first print data to which the first print command is added to the device via the network;
When the print data determined by the determination unit that the first setting value is not specified for the print setting by the setting specifying unit is set as the second print data , the reading unit determines the print setting. a reading step of reading the first setting value written in the information storage unit from the print setting information storage unit;
and
In the command adding step, the command adding unit adds a second print command corresponding to the print setting including the first setting value read by the reading unit to the second print data,
In the sending step, the sending unit sends the second print data to which the second print command is added to the device via the network.
printing method. to the computer,
a setting specifying step of causing a user to specify a first setting value for print settings by a setting specifying unit;
a determination step of determining, when the print data is generated , whether the first setting value has been designated by the setting designation unit for the print settings related to the generated print data ;
When print data for which it is determined that the first set value is specified for the print settings is the first print data , print settings for the first print data and print settings for the print settings a writing step of writing the specified first setting value in association with the print setting information storage unit;
a command addition step of adding to the first print data a first print command corresponding to the print settings including the first setting value of the first print data;
a transmission step of transmitting the first print data to which the first print command is added to a device connected via a network;
When the print data determined by the setting specifying unit that the first setting value is not specified for the print setting is used as the second print data , the print data written in the print setting information storage unit reading a first setting value from the print setting information storage unit;
and
moreover,
adding a second print command corresponding to the print setting including the read first setting value to the second print data in the command adding step;
in the transmitting step, transmitting the second print data to which the second print command is added to the device via the network;
program to run the

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