JP2010072803A - Information processor, printing system, printing function setting processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor surely maintaining a correspondence between a printing function designated correspondingly to a printer and identification information for identifying the printer. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor includes a receiving processing means which receives a designated printing function for a printer; a formation processing means which forms identification information for identifying the printer which requires execution of the printing function received by the receiving processing means; and a change prohibition processing means which prohibits change for the printing function received by the receiving processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing function setting processing program.

  Conventionally, by performing a plurality of printer installation operations for one printer (physically one printer), one printer is changed to a plurality of printers (virtual printers) having different printer names. There are operating systems (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) that can be used. Examples of such OS include Windows (registered trademark) 95/98 / NT / 2000 / XP (registered trademark in the United States and other countries of Microsoft Corporation, USA).

  A computer that has this type of OS installed and executes the OS can register a plurality of virtual printers with different operating conditions corresponding to one physical printer.

  When a user using the above-described computer designates a specific printer name from the above-described plurality of printer names and instructs to start printing, a virtual printer (actually physically corresponding to the specific printer name) is specified. One printer) executes print processing according to the operating conditions set for the virtual printer.

As an apparatus for registering a virtual printer, for example, those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.
Japanese Patent No. 3774684 Japanese Patent No. 3785898

  The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing function setting processing program capable of reliably maintaining the correspondence between a printing function designated corresponding to a printing apparatus and identification information for identifying the printing apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a reception processing unit that receives a specified printing function related to a printing device, and executes the printing function received by the reception processing unit. The image processing apparatus includes: a creation processing unit that creates identification information for identifying the printing apparatus that is essential; and a change prohibition processing unit that prohibits a change in the print function received by the reception processing unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 2 accepts a print function designated for a printing apparatus and accepts an icon name designated corresponding to the print function. Based on the printing function and the name of the icon received by the reception processing means, a creation processing means for creating an icon corresponding to the printing apparatus that requires execution of the printing function, and received by the reception processing means And a change prohibition processing unit for prohibiting a change in the print function.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the print function is set for the printing apparatus corresponding to the icon corresponding to the icon created by the creation processing means. A setting screen providing means for providing a setting screen for setting a plurality of printing functions including the printing function received by the receiving processing means, and the setting screen provided by the setting screen providing means Corresponding to the above, a change of a printing function other than the printing function accepted by the acceptance processing means related to the printing apparatus is permitted.

  In order to solve the above problem, a printing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects and the printing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus. And the printing apparatus are connected via a communication line.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a printing function setting processing program according to the present invention described in claim 5 includes a reception processing process for receiving a specified printing function related to a printing apparatus, and a printing function received by the reception processing process. Causing the computer to execute a creation process for creating identification information for identifying the printing apparatus that is required to be executed, and a change prohibition process for prohibiting a change in the print function received in the reception process. Features.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the correspondence between the printing function designated corresponding to the printing apparatus and the identification information for identifying the printing apparatus is reliably maintained as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. be able to.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the correspondence between the printing function designated corresponding to the printing apparatus and the icon as identification information for identifying the printing apparatus can be ensured as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Can be maintained.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the print functions other than the print function that is the object of prohibition of the change as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the correspondence relationship between the printing function designated corresponding to the printing apparatus and the identification information for identifying the printing apparatus is reliably maintained as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. be able to.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the correspondence between the printing function designated corresponding to the printing apparatus and the identification information for identifying the printing apparatus is reliably maintained as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Software can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a reception processing function unit 110, a creation processing function unit 120, a change prohibition processing function unit 130, and a setting screen provision function unit 140.

  The acceptance processing function unit 110 accepts a designated printing function (a printing function designated by the user) related to the printing apparatus.

  In addition, the reception processing function unit 110 receives a designated printing function (a printing function designated by the user) related to the printing apparatus, and an icon name (an icon designated by the user) designated corresponding to the printing function. Name).

  The creation processing function unit 120 creates identification information for identifying the printing apparatus that is required to execute the printing function received by the reception processing function unit 110.

  Also, the creation processing function unit 120 creates an icon corresponding to the printing apparatus that requires the execution of the printing function based on the printing function and the name of the icon received by the reception processing function unit 110. This icon functions as identification information for identifying the printing apparatus.

  The change prohibition processing function unit 130 prohibits the change of the print function received by the reception processing function unit 110.

  The setting screen providing function unit 140 corresponds to the icon created by the creation processing function unit 120, and is used to set a printing function related to the printing apparatus corresponding to the icon, and is received by the reception processing function unit 110. A setting screen for setting a plurality of printing functions including a specified printing function is provided. That is, the setting screen providing function unit 140 provides a setting screen corresponding to the created icon, for example, a print property. This print property (setting screen) includes print function items that are prohibited from being changed and print function items that can be set (changed).

  In the embodiment, the reception processing function unit 110 has a reception processing unit function, the creation processing function unit 120 has a creation processing unit function, and the change prohibition processing function unit 130 has a change prohibition processing unit function. The setting screen providing function unit 140 has a function of setting screen providing means.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of a printing system having the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing system 1 includes the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 are connected via a communication line 30. .

  The printing apparatus 20 is a printer, for example, and executes a printing process based on the print data output from the information processing apparatus 10.

  Examples of the communication line 30 include a wired communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 210, a storage device 220, a storage unit 230, a display unit 240, an input unit 250, and a communication unit 260.

  A printer driver 100 and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) 200 are installed in the storage device 220. The storage device 220 is realized by, for example, a hard disk.

  The printer driver 100 is software for controlling the printing apparatus 20, has a printing function setting processing program 101, and is created to operate on the OS 200.

  The print function setting processing program 101 is means (software) for realizing the setting of the print function related to the printing apparatus 20, and includes the above-described reception processing function unit 110, creation processing function unit 120, and change prohibition processing function unit 130. Have.

  The printer driver 100 also has the above-described setting screen providing function unit 140 for providing printing properties (setting screens) corresponding to icons created by executing the printing function setting processing program 101.

  The OS 200 is software for overall control of the information processing apparatus 10. The OS 200 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) 95/98 / NT / 2000 / XP (registered trademark in the United States and other countries of Microsoft Corporation, USA).

  The storage unit 230 is realized by, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (an arbitrary read / write memory), an icon created by executing the OS 200 and the printer driver 100 (including the print function setting processing program 101) read from the storage device 220, The printing property (setting screen) provided by the setting screen providing function unit 140 is stored. The storage unit 230 stores data transmitted and received through the communication unit 240.

  The display unit 240 is realized by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and is for displaying display information necessary for setting a printing function related to the printing device 20.

  The input unit 250 is realized by, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and is for specifying (setting) a printing function related to the printing apparatus 20.

  The communication unit 260 has a communication interface (not shown) corresponding to the type of the communication line 30 and is for communicating with an external device such as the printing device 20.

  The control unit 210 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads the OS 200 and the printer driver 100 from the storage device 220 to the storage unit 230, and executes these software (programs), thereby executing the functions of the OS 200. The functions of the printer driver 100 are realized. In addition, the control unit 210 controls the respective components 220 to 260 and controls the information processing apparatus 10 as a whole.

  Next, installation of the printer driver by the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a printer driver installation procedure.

  Here, since the printing apparatus 20 is assumed to be a printer, the printing apparatus 20 is referred to as a printer 20.

  First, the control unit 210 sends a printer driver 100, a setup program, an INF file, and the like for enabling the printer 20 to be used by the information processing apparatus 10 through the communication unit 260 from other apparatuses via the communication line 30. to download. Examples of the download destination include the storage unit 230 and the storage device 220.

  When installing the printer 20 (downloaded printer driver 100) in the information processing apparatus 10, the user instructs the execution of the downloaded setup program by operating the input unit 250.

  Then, the control unit 210 starts execution of the setup program (installation of the printer driver) (step S10), and causes the display unit 240 to display a driver installer screen (first screen) 2411 as shown in FIG. When the user presses (clicks) the “Next” button, the printer driver is installed.

  By installing the printer 20, that is, the printer driver 100, the printer driver 100 is copied to the storage device 220, and various information is added to the system information (registry or the like) of the OS 200. As a result, a state is formed in which the printer 20 can be used as a printer identified by a specific printer name (a printer name given by the user or a default printer name of the printer 20). At this point, one icon (printer icon) corresponding to the default printing function related to the printer 20 is created.

  When the execution of the printer driver installation is completed (step S20), the control unit 210 causes the display unit 240 to display a driver installer screen (last screen) 2412 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether there is an instruction to do so (step S30).

  The user sets whether or not to register an icon whose setting has been changed, that is, whether or not to create a printer icon. Here, when creating (registering) an icon, “Yes” is selected. When not creating (registering) an icon, “No” is selected (checked).

  If it is determined in step S30 that “Yes” has been selected and there is an instruction to create an icon, the control unit 210 executes an icon creation process (print function setting process) described later in detail. (Step S40).

  When step S40 is completed, the control unit 210 ends the process when determining that there is no instruction to create an icon because “No” is selected in step S30.

  In the embodiment, the printer driver 100, the setup program, the INF file, and the like are configured to use downloaded ones. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured as follows.

  That is, the printer driver 100, the setup program, the INF file, and the like may be held on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and information held on the storage medium may be read by a CD-ROM drive. The recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, and may be any computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a magneto-optical disk. In this case, a drive corresponding to the type of recording medium may be prepared.

  Next, icon creation processing (print function setting processing) by the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the icon creation processing.

  Since the print function setting processing program 101 sets a print function and executes processing for creating an icon corresponding to the print function, the print function setting processing program 101 is represented as an icon creation tool 101 here. .

  After starting the OS 200, the user selects the “Start” menu in the screen 2420 shown in FIG. 7 displayed on the display unit 240 and provided by the OS 200, and then selects the “Program” item. Further, the item 2421 of “icon creation tool” is selected. Information indicating the item 2421 of the selected “icon creation tool” is given to the control unit 210.

  When the control unit 210 acquires information indicating the item 2421 of the selected icon creation tool (step S101), the control unit 210 reads the printer driver 100 from the storage device 220 to the storage unit 230 and executes (starts) the printer driver 100. The icon creation tool (print function setting processing program) 101 is executed (activated) (step S102).

  The icon creation tool 101 activated in this way executes a printing function setting process (actually, the control unit 210 executes the printing function setting process).

  That is, the icon creation tool 101 displays a screen 2430 as shown in FIG. This screen 2430 is a screen for setting a print function.

  The user selects a first print function on the screen 2430 such as a function related to “double-sided printing relation” 2431, a second print function such as a function related to “enlargement / reduction relation” 2432, a third print function such as “stamp printing” 2433. Set the detailed function (setting value) for the function.

  For example, regarding the functions relating to “double-sided printing” 2431, “double-sided printing (long side binding)”, “double-sided printing (short side binding)”, “booklet printing (left binding / upper binding)”, “booklet printing (right) By selecting (checking) one function (setting value) from among the four functions (setting values) of “binding / bottom binding”, a printing function related to duplex printing is set.

  In this example, it is assumed that there are three printing functions provided on the screen 2430. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more printing functions are provided on the screen 2430 or on the screen 2430 and a screen related to this screen. A plurality of printing functions such as four or more may be provided. Further, it is not necessary to set detailed functions for all of the plurality of printing functions provided on the screen 2430, and at the time of registering an icon, at least one printing function may be set.

  Then, the user sets at least one print function on the screen 2430, and presses (clicks) a “next” button 2434 if the setting contents are acceptable.

  When this button 2434 is pressed, in the icon creation tool 101, the reception processing function unit 110 acquires information indicating at least one print function set for the screen 2430 (step S103).

  When the “next” button 2434 on the screen 2430 is pressed, the icon creation tool 101 displays a screen 2440 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 240. A screen 2440 is a screen for registering an icon name corresponding to at least one print function set for the screen 2430.

  The user describes the name of the icon in the name description field 2441 of the screen 2440 displayed on the display unit 240 and presses (clicks) the “Next” button 2442.

  When the name of the icon is described in the name description field 2441 of the screen 2440 and the “next” button 2442 is pressed, the reception processing function unit 110 is described in the name description field 2441 of the screen 2440 by the icon creation tool 101. Information indicating the name of the icon is acquired (step S104).

  Next, in the icon creation tool 101, the change prohibition processing function unit 130 grays out at least one printing function set for the screen 2430, that is, at least one printing function acquired by the reception processing function unit 110. (Step S105).

  Grayout means the state of target information, in this case, the print function cannot be changed (change prohibited). Therefore, the setting contents of the grayed-out printing function cannot be changed.

  Subsequently, in the icon creation tool 101, the creation processing function unit 120 displays an icon corresponding to the printer 20 that requires execution of the print function based on the print function and icon name received by the reception processing function unit 110. Create (step S106).

  It can be said that the created icon indicates identification information for identifying the printer 20 that is required to execute the printing function received by the reception processing function unit 110.

  The icon creation tool 101 displays a screen 2450 as shown in FIG. 10 when the name of the icon is described in the name description field 2441 of the screen 2440 shown in FIG. 9 and the “next” button 2442 is pressed. Display on the unit 240. The screen 2450 is a screen for inquiring the user whether or not to create (register) a new icon following the icon created (registered) as described above.

  Here, the user selects (checks) “Yes” 2451 when creating (registering) a new icon, and selects (checks) “No” 2452 when not creating (registering) a new icon. The “next” button 2453 is pressed (clicked).

  When this button 2453 is pressed, the icon creation tool 101 determines whether there is an instruction to register an icon (step S107). As a result of this determination, if “Yes” 2451 is selected, that is, an icon. If there is an instruction to register, the process returns to step S103.

  On the other hand, the icon creation tool 101 that has determined that there is no instruction to register an icon because “No” 2452 is selected in step S107 causes the display unit 240 to display a screen 2460 as shown in FIG.

  When the “complete” button 2461 on the screen 2460 is selected (clicked), the control unit 210 ends the print function setting process and the icon creation process by the icon creation tool 101 (step S108).

  In the embodiment, the icon to be created is assumed to be, for example, an icon composed of a printer image (design) and a name, but the icon is not limited to this, and the icon is a name (character string). You may make it only. In this case, a name only is defined as an icon.

  In the embodiment, the user designates the name of the icon. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured as follows.

  That is, when the print function is set for the screen 2430 in FIG. 8 and then the “Next” button 2434 on the screen 2430 is pressed, the system (icon creation tool 101) is all set on the screen 2430. The name may be set corresponding to the print function. In this case, the reception processing function unit 110 acquires a name set in the system.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the icon is created based on the set print function and the name of the designated icon. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following may be performed.

  That is, when the print function is set for the screen 2430 in FIG. 8 and then the “Next” button 2434 on the screen 2430 is pressed, the creation processing function unit 120 displays the screen 2430 on the icon creation tool 101. Corresponding to all the set printing functions, identification information for identifying a printing apparatus, for example, a name as an icon may be created.

  FIG. 12 shows the data structure (format) of the icon information created as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the icon information includes printing apparatus information 310 corresponding to the icon, icon name 320, printing function 330, and function change prohibition presence / absence information 340.

  The printing device information 310 is information indicating a physical printing device corresponding to the created icon. In this example, the printing apparatus information 310 is the printing apparatus 20.

  The icon name 320 is the name of the icon received by the reception processing function unit 110. The name of this icon is registered by the reception processing function unit 110. In this example, the icon name 320 is an icon name “ABC MW57C (double-sided short edge)”.

  Corresponding to the items of the print function 330, a plurality of print functions 2431, 2332, 2433 provided by the screen 2430 of FIG. 8, that is, the first print function 331, the second print function 332, and the third print function 333 are related. Information (setting values) indicating detailed functions is set.

  Detailed functions (setting values) regarding the number of print functions 331, 332, and 333 are information indicating the print functions received by the reception processing function unit 110. Information indicating these printing functions is registered by the reception processing function unit 110.

  In the printing function 330 of this example, the printing function 331 indicates that the function related to double-sided printing is double-sided printing (short edge binding), and the printing function 332 includes a single function (2 The print function 333 indicates that no function related to stamp printing is set (no setting).

  Corresponding to the item of the function change prohibition presence / absence information 340, for each piece of information (setting value) indicating the detailed function of the print function 330, the function change prohibition for prohibiting the change of the set print function is set or set. The function change permission for permitting the change of the print function is registered. The function change prohibition or function change permission is registered by the change prohibition processing function unit 130.

  The function change prohibition presence / absence information 340 in this example indicates that the print function 331 and the print function 332 are the function change prohibition 341 and the function change prohibition 342, respectively, and the print function 333 is the function change permission 343. Is shown.

  The icon information having the data structure as described above is stored in a printer-dedicated folder (printer folder) and stored in the storage unit 230 or the storage device 220.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the contents of the folder with the printer folder 2470 opened are displayed on the display unit 240.

  The printer folder 2470 stores (registers) an icon 2471 with an icon name “ABC MW57C (double-sided short edge)” and an icon 2472 with an icon name “ABC MW57C”.

  An icon 2471 indicates an icon created by the icon creation tool 101 (an icon whose set print function is prohibited to be changed).

  The icon 2472 is an icon created by default when the printer driver 100 is installed (an icon corresponding to the default printing function), or an icon created when a printer driver that does not have the icon creation tool 101 is installed. Indicates an icon that can change the set print function.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the created icon 2471 and icon 2472 are icons composed of a printer image (design) and a name, but the name (character) is not limited to this. This name may be defined as an icon.

  FIG. 14 shows a setting screen displayed on the display unit 240 when the user designates the icon 2471 and opens the print setting dialog.

  A setting screen 2480 shown in FIG. 14 is provided by the setting screen providing function unit 140 of the printer driver 100 and displayed on the display unit 240.

  In the setting screen 2480, the print function that is prohibited from being changed by the change prohibition processing function unit 130, that is, the portion corresponding to the print function corresponding to the function change prohibition in the function change prohibition presence / absence information 340 in the icon information shown in FIG. (Function Item) is grayed out.

  For example, a location (function item) 2481 corresponding to the print function (first print function) 331 corresponding to the function change prohibition 341 shown in FIG. 2 (printing function) 332 (function items) 2482 and 2483 are grayed out.

  Note that the location (function item) 2483 is grayed out because the function relating to the enlargement / reduction related to the print function 332 is set as “function (setting value) to collect one sheet (up to 2)”. This is because the printing direction (printing direction) is preset so as to be the forward direction.

  The user cannot change the print functions (setting values) set in the grayed out portions (function items) 2481, 2482, and 2483.

  Incidentally, since the portion (function item) 2484 corresponding to the print function related to the color mode is not grayed out, the user can change the print function related to the color mode. Note that the printing function related to the color mode is not included in the printing function provided by the screen 2430 shown in FIG. 8 or is included in the printing function provided by the screen related to the screen 2430. Since a detailed function (set value) has not been set, the change prohibition processing function unit 130 does not make a change prohibition print function target, and as a result is not grayed out.

  FIG. 15 shows a setting screen displayed on the display unit 240 when the user specifies the icon 2472 in the printer folder 2470 in FIG. 13 and opens the print setting dialog.

  As described above, the icon 2472 indicates an icon in which the set print function can be changed. For this reason, in the setting screen 2490 shown in FIG. 15, the locations (function items) 2491, 2492, and 2493 related to the printing function corresponding to the locations (function items) 2481, 2482, and 2484 shown in FIG. It is not grayed out because it is possible.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a computer. As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 410, a storage device 420 such as a hard disk, a ROM 430, a RAM 440, a display device 450, an input device 460, a drive 470, and a communication interface (communication I / O) F) 480.

  The storage device 420 stores various installed programs such as the printer driver 100 including the printing function setting program 101 described above, software (program) corresponding to the processing procedure described above (see FIG. 6), and an operating system (OS) 200. I remember it. In addition, the storage device 420 stores the created icon (icon information). This storage device 420 corresponds to the storage device 220 (see FIG. 2) described above.

  The ROM 430 is a read-only memory and stores data, information, communication protocol information, and the like necessary for generating icons.

  The RAM 440 is a read / write memory as needed, and stores various programs read from the storage device 520 (printer driver 100 including the print function setting program 101, OS 200, etc.), and information, data, and communication read from the ROM 330. Store protocol information.

  In addition, the RAM 440 stores the printer driver 100, the setup program, the INF file, and the like that the control unit 210 has downloaded from other devices through the communication unit 260 and the communication line 30.

  Further, the RAM 440 stores an intermediate result (information indicating the set printing function and information indicating the icon name) and a final result (the icon illustrated in FIG. 12) of the process in which the printing function setting program (icon creation tool) 101 creates an icon. Information).

  The RAM 440 and the ROM 430 have the function of the storage unit 230 (see FIG. 2) described above.

  The display device 450 is constituted by, for example, a display device, and displays display information such as screens 2411, 2412, 2420 to 2460, contents of the printer folder 2470, setting screens 2480 and 2490. The display device 450 has the function of the above-described display unit 250 (see FIG. 2).

  The input device 460 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The input device 460 includes an instruction for starting the print function setting program (icon creation tool) 101, setting of a print function for the screen 2430, and an icon for the name description field 2441 of the screen 2440. This is for inputting input information and commands such as a description of a name and an instruction to open a print setting dialog by designating an icon 2471. The input device 460 has the function of the input unit 250 (see FIG. 2) described above.

  The driver 470 performs control (reading control) for reading recorded information from a recording medium on which the printer driver 100, a setup program, an INF file, and the like are recorded. For example, the driver 470 is a CD-ROM drive when the recording medium is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk drive when the recording medium is a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical disk drive when the recording medium is a magneto-optical disk.

  The communication I / F 480 communicates with the printing apparatus 20 and transmits image data (print data) to be printed to the printing apparatus 20, for example. This communication I / F 480 has the function of the communication unit 260 (see FIG. 2) described above.

  The CPU 410 is a central processing unit, and reads and executes the OS 200 and the printer driver 100 including the print function setting program (icon creation tool) 101 from the storage device 420 to the RAM 440, thereby executing the above-described reception processing function unit 110. Each function of the processing function unit 120, the change prohibition processing function unit 130, and the setting screen providing function unit 140 is realized.

  Further, the CPU 410 comprehensively controls each of the constituent elements 420 to 480 and controls the information processing apparatus 10 as a whole. The CPU 410 has the function of the control unit 21 (see FIG. 2) described above.

  In the present specification, a printer driver including a print function setting program (icon creation tool) has been described as an embodiment of recording in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. However, the predetermined program is provided as follows. It is also possible.

  That is, the printer driver may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the printer driver from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The printer driver may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), or flexible disk. In this case, after the information processing apparatus (computer) installs the printer driver recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the printer driver. As an installation destination of the printer driver, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. The information processing apparatus (computer) loads the printer driver stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the information processing apparatus (computer) is connected to the server apparatus or host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and the information processing apparatus (computer) downloads the printer driver from the server apparatus or host computer. Then, this printer driver may be executed. In this case, download destinations of the printer driver include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. Then, the information processing apparatus (computer) loads the printer driver stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention can be applied to a printing system in which an image forming apparatus having a function of a printing apparatus (printing function) and an information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus (so-called multifunction machine) having a plurality of image forming processing functions having at least a printing apparatus function (printing function) such as a printing apparatus function (printing function), a copying function, and a scanning function. The present invention can be applied to a printing system in which an information processing apparatus is connected via a communication line.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to an image processing program including a printing function setting processing program or a printer driver including a printing function setting processing program.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing system which has the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for installing a printer driver by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure explaining installation of the printer driver by the information processing apparatus concerning an embodiment. It is a figure explaining installation of the printer driver by the information processing apparatus concerning an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for starting the icon creation tool in the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for setting the printing function in the icon creation process (printing function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for describing the name of the icon in the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process of the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the icon produced by the icon creation process (print function setting process) by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the folder where the icon created by the icon creation tool which concerns on embodiment is preserve | saved. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen corresponding to the icon created with the icon creation tool which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen corresponding to an icon created when installing a printer driver that does not have the icon creation tool according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Printing apparatus 30 Communication line 100 Printer driver 101 Print function setting processing program (icon creation tool)
110 reception processing function unit 120 creation processing function unit 130 change prohibition processing function unit 140 setting screen providing function unit 200 operating system 210 control unit 220 storage device 230 storage unit 240 display unit 250 input unit 260 communication unit 410 CPU
420 storage device 430 ROM
440 RAM
450 Display device 460 Input device 470 Drive 480 Communication interface

Claims (5)

Reception processing means for accepting a designated printing function related to the printing apparatus;
Creation processing means for creating identification information for identifying the printing apparatus that is required to execute the printing function accepted by the acceptance processing means;
A change prohibition processing unit that prohibits a change in the print function received by the reception processing unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Receiving processing means for receiving a designated printing function related to the printing apparatus and receiving a name of an icon designated corresponding to the printing function;
Creation processing means for creating an icon corresponding to the printing apparatus that requires execution of the printing function based on the printing function and the name of the icon received by the reception processing means;
A change prohibition processing unit that prohibits a change in the print function received by the reception processing unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A plurality of prints corresponding to the icon created by the creation processing means and for setting a print function related to the printing apparatus corresponding to the icon, including the print function accepted by the acceptance processing means A setting screen providing means for providing a setting screen for setting a function;
In response to the setting screen provided by the setting screen providing means, permission to change a printing function other than the printing function accepted by the acceptance processing means related to the printing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   A printing system comprising: the information processing apparatus according to claim 1; and a printing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected via a communication line. system. A reception process for accepting a designated printing function related to the printing apparatus;
A creation process for creating identification information for identifying the printing apparatus that is required to execute the printing function accepted by the acceptance process;
A change prohibition process for prohibiting a change in the print function received in the reception process;
A print function setting processing program for causing a computer to execute.

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