Patent ID: 7948643
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus for communication with a plurality of peripheral devices, the apparatus comprising: a mode selection unit that selects a function substitution mode in which a predetermined print function that is not executable by a first one of the plurality of peripheral devices alone is made executable by utilizing the first peripheral device with another peripheral device; a search unit that searches for a second one of the plurality of peripheral devices that can execute substitute function processing for the predetermined print function by communicating with the first peripheral device, after the function substitution mode is selected by said mode selection unit; a display update unit that updates display of a print setting screen of a printer driver for the first peripheral device by additionally listing the predetermined print function, so as to permit a user to select the predetermined print function via the print setting screen, when the second peripheral device is found by said search unit; and an instruction unit that instructs the first peripheral device to execute the predetermined print function based on a selection of the predetermined print function via the print setting screen of the printer driver for the first peripheral device updated by said display update unit, so that the first peripheral device executes the predetermined print function by communicating with the second peripheral device and utilizing the substitute function processing of the second peripheral device.