Patent Description:
When executing printing from software having a printing function, to determine a printing apparatus (to be referred to as a "printer" hereinafter) from which printing is to be executed, a printer (or a printer icon associated with a printer) is selected. There is conventionally provided a function of presetting, as a defined printing apparatus (to be referred to as a "default printer" hereinafter), a printer which is frequently used. This allows printing without the selection of a printer icon (<CIT>).

In Windows <NUM>®, a function of "managing a printer normally used in Windows" is added. This function is a function (to be referred to as a "printing default printer designation function" hereinafter) in which an operating system (to be referred to as an "OS" hereinafter) automatically sets, as a default printer, a printer used last for printing.

However, even if a user wants to execute only test printing without registering a printer as a default printer, if this function is in an enabled state, the printer is unwantedly registered as a default printer.

<CIT> discloses an information processing device comprising an information obtaining unit and a setting unit to set a printer obtained by the information obtaining unit as a normally used printer. The Microsoft Windows® <NUM> operating system, version <NUM>, provides for manually adding a printer and an option according to which, when it is on, a default printer will be set to the most recently used one. <CIT> relates to providing a data-processing apparatus and method for reducing the number of user operations required for storing information regarding a device for each type of process performed by the device.

An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology. The present invention provides a print control apparatus for appropriately setting a printing apparatus used by default, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program.

The present invention in its first aspect provides a print control apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a control method as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its third aspect provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set a printing apparatus used by default.

The first, second and fourth embodiments are reference examples outside the scope of the invention as claimed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention, and that not all of the combinations of the aspects that are described according to the following embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the means to solve the problems according to the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same components and a description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print system including a PC <NUM>, a printer A <NUM>, and a printer B <NUM>. The PC <NUM> operates as a print control apparatus for controlling a printer (printing apparatus). The PC <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, and an input interface (I/F) <NUM>. The PC <NUM> also includes a USB I/F <NUM> and a network I/F <NUM>. However, the PC <NUM> may be configured to include one of the USB I/F <NUM> and the network I/F <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores a program <NUM> such as a printer driver and an installer (both of which will be described later). The PC <NUM> can communicate with the printer A <NUM> via a USB cable <NUM>. The PC <NUM> can also be connected to a LAN <NUM> via a network connection <NUM> implemented by an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.

If the printer B <NUM> can be connected to the LAN <NUM> via a network connection <NUM>, the PC <NUM> and the printer B <NUM> can communicate with each other in the environment of the same LAN <NUM>. If a plurality of USB I/Fs <NUM> are mounted on the PC <NUM> or a USB hub (not shown) is used, the PC <NUM> can be connected to a plurality of printers simultaneously. The PC <NUM> can be connected to a plurality of printers simultaneously via the LAN <NUM>. In this way, a plurality of printers can be connected to the PC <NUM> to perform communication. Therefore, printers connected to the PC <NUM> in <FIG> are not limited to the printer A <NUM> and the printer B <NUM>, and three or more printers may be connected.

The printer A <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an input I/F <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM>, a USB I/F <NUM>, and a network I/F <NUM>. The printer A <NUM> can be connected to the PC <NUM> via the USB I/F <NUM> by the USB cable <NUM>, and communicate with the PC <NUM>. The internal arrangement of the printer B <NUM> is not shown in <FIG> but is the same as that of the printer A <NUM>. The printer B <NUM> is connected to the LAN <NUM> via the network connection <NUM> connected to a network I/F (not shown), and can communicate with the PC <NUM> connected to the same LAN.

In <FIG>, as an example, each of the PC <NUM> and the printers (printer A <NUM> and printer B <NUM>) includes both the USB I/F and the network I/F as connection I/Fs but may include one of the connection I/Fs. Furthermore, the USB I/F and the network I/F are exemplified as connection I/Fs connectable to the printer (printer A <NUM> or printer B <NUM>) but communication complying with the Centronics, Bluetooth®, or IrDA standard may be used. The printer A <NUM> will be described as a representative example of the printer A <NUM> and printer B <NUM> unless otherwise specified.

Screens of an installer will be described with reference to <FIG>. The installer is software that is mounted on the PC <NUM>, and installs a printer driver (not shown) to register the printer A <NUM> in the PC <NUM>. <FIG> shows an installation screen <NUM> of the installer, and shows a state in which the installer installs the printer driver to register the printer A <NUM> in the PC <NUM>. A progress bar <NUM> shows the progress status of installation of the printer driver and a registration operation of the printer A <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a default printer setting screen <NUM> of the installer. A checkbox <NUM> accepts selection of whether to register, as a default printer (default printing apparatus) that is normally used, the printer A <NUM> registered in <FIG>. A state in which the checkbox <NUM> is checked indicates that the user has set the printer A <NUM> as a default printer. When a button <NUM> is pressed, the installer displays a next screen.

<FIG> shows a test printing screen <NUM> of the installer. When the user presses a button <NUM>, the installer executes test printing in the registered printer A <NUM>. Test printing is executed to confirm that the registered printer A <NUM> is in a printable state. When a button <NUM> is pressed, the installer displays a next screen.

Processing of controlling display of the default printer setting screen <NUM> of the installer will be described with reference to <FIG>. The processing shown in <FIG> is implemented when, for example, the CPU <NUM> reads out the program stored in the ROM <NUM> into the RAM and executes it. When the processing shown in <FIG> starts, the installer determines whether the printing default printer designation function exists in the OS (step S301). The printing default printer designation function is a function in which the OS automatically sets, as a default printer, a printer used last for printing.

The presence/absence of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S301 based on, for example, an API, registry information, or whether the printing default printer designation function is supported by the version of the OS. If it is determined in step S301 that the printing default printer designation function exists, the installer determines whether the setting state of the printing default printer designation function is an enabled or disabled state (step S302). The setting state of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S302 based on, for example, an API or registry information.

If it is determined in step S302 that the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, the installer decides not to display the default printer setting screen <NUM> (step S303). After step S303, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that no printing default printer designation function exists or it is determined in step S302 that the printing default printer designation function is in the disabled state, the installer decides to display the default printer setting screen <NUM> (step S305). After step S305, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>.

Note that a screen to be displayed is not limited to that shown in <FIG>. For example, after completion of installation of the printer driver, a screen for accepting an instruction to execute test printing may be displayed first, as shown in <FIG>, and then a screen shown in <FIG> or <FIG> may be displayed. If it is determined in step S302 that the printing default printer designation function is in the disabled state, the screen of <FIG> including "set as printer normally used" is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, the screen of <FIG> including no "set as printer normally used" is displayed. In this example, "set as printer normally used" has the same meaning as "set as default printer" described above.

As described above, according to this embodiment, only if the printing default printer designation function is in the disabled state, the default printer setting screen <NUM> is displayed. On the other hand, if the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, the setting function of the default printer setting screen <NUM> is restricted by not displaying the default printer setting screen <NUM>. This can prevent a situation in which although the user designates not to change the default printer by turning off the checkbox <NUM>, the default printer is unwantedly changed by executing test printing. Furthermore, only when the printing default printer designation function does not work (that is, NO in step S301 or disabled state in step S302), the default printer setting screen <NUM> can be displayed.

In the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, a default printer setting screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used instead of the default printer setting screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The default printer setting screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described. Radio buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be selectively accepted from the user. <FIG> shows a state in which the radio button <NUM> is selected. If the radio button <NUM> is selected, a printer A <NUM> registered in <FIG> is registered as a default printer. If the radio button <NUM> is selected, the printer A <NUM> registered in <FIG> is registered as a default printer, and the printing default printer designation function is disabled. If the radio button <NUM> is selected, the printer A <NUM> registered in <FIG> is not registered as a default printer. When a button <NUM> is pressed, the installer displays a next screen.

The processing of disabling the default printer designation function will be described with reference to <FIG>. The processing shown in <FIG> is implemented when, for example, a CPU <NUM> reads out a program stored in a ROM <NUM> into a RAM and executes it. When one of the radio buttons <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG> is selected and the button <NUM> is pressed, the installer starts the processing shown in <FIG>. When the processing shown in <FIG> starts, the installer determines whether the printing default printer designation function exists in an OS (step S401). The presence/absence of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S401 based on, for example, an API, registry information, or whether the printing default printer designation function is supported by the version of the OS.

If it is determined in step S401 that the printing default printer designation function exists, the installer determines whether the setting state of the printing default printer designation function is an enabled or disabled state (step S402). The setting state of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S402 based on, for example, an API or registry information. If it is determined in step S402 that the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, the installer performs default printer setting processing (step S403). The default printer setting processing in step S403 is implemented when, for example, the installer executes the SetDefaultPrinter API or issues, to the printer A <NUM>, a dummy job that executes no printing.

After step S403, the installer determines whether to disable the printing default printer designation function (step S404). If it is determined in step S404 to disable the printing default printer designation function, that is, if the radio button <NUM> shown in <FIG> has been selected, the printing default printer designation function is turned off (step S405). The processing of turning off the printing default printer designation function in step S405 is implemented by, for example, executing the API or rewriting the registry information. After step S405, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>. If it is determined in step S404 not to disable the printing default printer designation function, that is, if the radio button <NUM> shown in <FIG> has been selected, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>.

Depending on user authority, the processing of turning off the printing default printer designation function in step S405 cannot be executed. In this case, the processing shown in <FIG> ends without executing the processes in steps S404 and S405.

If it is determined in step S401 that no printing default printer designation function exists or it is determined in step S402 that the printing default printer designation function is in the disabled state, default printer setting processing is performed (step S406). The default printer setting processing in step S406 is implemented when, for example, the installer executes the SetDefaultPrinter API. After step S406, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the radio button <NUM> shown in <FIG> restricts the printing default printer designation function. This arrangement can prevent the default printer setting from being changed without intention when, for example, the printer A <NUM> is set as a default printer and then printing is executed in another different printer (for example, the printer B <NUM>).

In the first embodiment, if it is decided not to display the default printer setting screen <NUM> (step S303) and the button <NUM> is pressed without executing the test printing button <NUM> in the test printing screen <NUM>, the default printer setting screen <NUM> may be displayed. This arrangement can provide a function of setting a default printer to the user who executes no test printing button <NUM> in the first embodiment. The default printer setting screen <NUM> has a function of disabling the printing default printer designation function. In the above operation of the first embodiment, the default printer setting screen <NUM> may be displayed instead of the default printer setting screen <NUM> to execute the processing shown in <FIG>. This arrangement can provide a function of setting a default printer to the user who executes no test printing button <NUM> in the first embodiment, and a function of disabling the printing default printer designation function.

In the third embodiment, the difference from the first and second embodiments will be described below. In this embodiment, either a default printer setting screen <NUM> or <NUM> can be used.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing of disabling the default printer designation function, which is performed when the user wants to exclude a printer A <NUM> from a default printer setting. The processing shown in <FIG> is implemented when, for example, a CPU <NUM> reads out a program stored in a ROM <NUM> into a RAM and executes it. By turning off a checkbox <NUM> in <FIG> or selecting a radio button <NUM> in <FIG>, the installer starts the processing shown in <FIG> when displaying a test printing screen <NUM>. When the processing shown in <FIG> starts, the installer determines whether the user presses a test printing button <NUM> (step S501). If it is determined in step S501 that a button <NUM> is pressed without pressing the button <NUM>, the processing shown in <FIG> ends.

If it is determined in step S501 that the button <NUM> is pressed, the installer determines whether the printing default printer designation function exists in an OS (step S502). The presence/absence of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S502 based on, for example, an API, registry information, or whether the printing default printer designation function is supported by the version of the OS. If it is determined in step S502 that the printing default printer designation function exists, the installer determines whether the setting state of the printing default printer designation function is an enabled or disabled state (step S503). The setting state of the printing default printer designation function is determined in step S503 based on, for example, an API or registry information. If it is determined in step S503 that the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, the installer performs test printing processing (step S504). The test printing processing in step S504 will be described in detail later with reference to <FIG>. After step S504, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination processing (step S502) that no printing default printer designation function exists or it is determined in step S503 that the printing default printer designation function is in the disabled state, the installer executes test printing (step S506). After step S506, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>.

The test printing processing in step S504 will be described with reference to <FIG>. When the processing shown in <FIG> starts, the installer acquires the name of a printer icon currently assigned to the default printer (step S601). Then, the installer executes test printing (step S602). At this time, the printing default printer designation function works, and the OS sets, as a default printer, the printer A <NUM> used for printing. The installer sets, as a default printer, the printer icon acquired in step S601 (step S603). The default printer setting processing in step S603 is implemented when, for example, the installer executes the SetDefaultPrinter API or issues, to the printer, with the acquired printer icon, a dummy job that executes no printing in the printer. After step S603, the installer ends the processing shown in <FIG>.

Note that the timing of acquiring the name of the printer icon assigned to the original default printer in step S601 may be before installation of the printer driver. Since there exists a printer driver of a type of setting, as a default printer, the printer corresponding to the printer icon at a timing when the printer icon is generated, the original default printer may be acquired before installation of the printer driver.

Test printing processing different from that shown in <FIG> will be described next with reference to <FIG>. When the test printing processing shown in <FIG> starts, the installer turns off the printing default printer designation function (step S611). The operation of turning off the printing default printer designation function in step S611 is implemented by, for example, executing the API or rewriting the registry information. Then, the installer executes test printing (step S612). The installer turns on the printing default printer designation function (step S613). The operation of turning on the printing default printer designation function in step S613 is implemented by, for example, executing the API or rewriting the registry information. After step S613, the processing shown in <FIG> ends.

Note that the processing to be adopted may be switched between <FIG> in accordance with user authority. For example, if the user has no registry operation authority, <FIG> is adopted. If the user has no default printer setting authority, <FIG> is adopted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the processing shown in <FIG> restricts the printing default printer designation function. With this arrangement, even in an environment in which the printing default printer designation function is in the enabled state, when no default printer is designated and test printing is executed, the default printer setting remains the same.

In the fourth embodiment, the difference from the first to third embodiments will be described below. In this embodiment, either the default printer setting screen <NUM> in <FIG> or the default printer setting screen <NUM> in <FIG> may be used.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing of switching processing in accordance with user authority. The processing shown in <FIG> is implemented when, for example, a program stored in a ROM <NUM> is read out into a RAM and executed. An installer starts the processing shown in <FIG> before the default printer setting screen <NUM> or <NUM> or a test printing screen <NUM> is displayed. The installer confirms user authority (step S701), and determines whether the user has authority capable of setting a default printer (step S702). If it is determined that the user has no authority capable of setting a default printer, it is decided to perform processing shown in <FIG> (step S703), and then the processing shown in <FIG> ends. If it is determined in step S702 that the user has authority capable of setting a default printer, the installer decides not to perform the processing shown in <FIG> (step S704), and then ends the processing shown in <FIG>. If the processing in step S704 is performed, the installer displays the default printer setting screen <NUM> or <NUM>.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to switch, in accordance with user authority, whether to execute the processing shown in <FIG>. For example, if the user cannot perform a default printer designation operation, the processing shown in <FIG> is executed.

A procedure may display, first, the default printer setting screen <NUM> or <NUM> or the test printing screen <NUM> of the installer described in each embodiment. Furthermore, the default printer setting function and the test printing function may be formed by the same screen.

Each embodiment has exemplified the installer. However, any software having the test printing function and the default printer setting function may be adopted, and the same effect can be obtained. For example, software of repairing the registered state of the printer icon (printing port), or printer icon control software having a function of switching the printer icon (printing port) may be adopted.

Note that as a result of diagnosing the connection state between an information processing apparatus (corresponding to the PC <NUM> shown in <FIG>) and a printer using the software of repairing the registered state of the printer icon (printing port), and repairing the registered state, <FIG> is displayed. For example, if it is determined in step S302 of <FIG> that the function is in the disabled state, a screen of <FIG> including "set as printer normally used" is displayed. If it is determined in step S302 that the function is in the enabled state, a screen of <FIG> including no "set as printer normally used" is displayed.

Claim 1:
A print control apparatus (<NUM>) for controlling a printing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>), the print control apparatus comprising:
a display unit (<NUM>);
display control means configured to display, on the display unit, a setting content (<NUM>) associated with setting processing of a default printing apparatus that is configured to be used without accepting a selection operation by a user;
acquisition means configured to acquire (S302) information about a function of automatically setting, as the default printing apparatus, a printing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) used last for printing;
restriction means configured to restrict, if the acquired information indicates enabling of the function, display processing of the setting content so that the setting content is not displayed on the display unit; and
determination means for determining whether test printing is to be executed,
characterized by further comprising:
print control means configured to perform, if it is determined by the determination means that test printing is to be executed and the acquired information indicates enabling of the function, test printing processing (S504) and perform control so that a default printer setting from before the test printing is maintained after the test printing processing is performed.