Patent ID: 7505164
Filing Date: 2009-03-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus having a printer driver for instructing a printing apparatus to execute printing so that a function designated by a user is realized, comprising: obtaining means for obtaining information on one or more functions which can be provided by a function providing apparatus from the function providing apparatus; display control means for controlling a display of a status of the one or more functions which can be provided by the function providing apparatus onto a function setting display screen of the printer driver based on function information included in the information obtained by said obtaining means; and downloading means for downloading function-related data for executing one of the one or more functions which can be provided by the function providing apparatus from the function providing apparatus, wherein said display control means controls the display to display (a) a first function whose function-related data exists in said information processing apparatus and which is available by using the function-related data in said information processing apparatus, (b) a second function whose function-related data exists in the function providing apparatus and which will become available by downloading the function-related data by said downloading means into said information processing apparatus, and (c) a third function whose function-related data exists in the function providing apparatus and which will become available by using the function-related data from said function providing apparatus via a network, and wherein the first, second and third functions are displayed distinguishably from each other.