JP2010198418A - Virtual output device registration program and computer for executing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new virtual output device registration program and a computer for executing the virtual output device registration program, which facilitates repeatedly performing the output of a specific data file. <P>SOLUTION: A print object file to be printed by a printer or multifunction machine and a printer driver print setting information file including printer driver print setting information when the print object file is printed by the printer or the multifunction machine are associated with each other, and when one print object file is designated (S100), a virtual printer including printer driver print setting information included in one printer driver print setting information file associated with one selected print object file is created (S114, S118), and the created virtual printer is registered in an OS. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to registration of a virtual output device that can be used by application software that operates on basic software.

  For example, it is created by application software (hereinafter also simply referred to as “application”) that operates on basic software (Operating System / hereinafter also referred to as “OS”) installed in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”). The printed data file may be printed. In this case, printing is performed in various modes. In order to execute such various types of printing, it is necessary to make print settings corresponding to the printing. In this regard, many configurations (techniques) have been conventionally proposed. For example, when calling the print setting of a document from an application, the printer driver setting reading unit works first by the trigger for calling the print setting screen, and if there is setting save information of the document requested to be printed, it is read and the current setting value is retained. When the user changes the setting after that, the changed setting contents are reflected in the value set in the current setting value holding unit, and print data is generated and sent to the printer according to the setting. At the same time, a technique has been proposed in which print setting information is automatically saved in a file in association with a document name. In addition, according to this, it is supposed that the new setting information of creation time is selected in the case of automatic setting (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2001-350606 A

  By the way, a specific data file managed by a computer may be repeatedly output by a method such as printing. In such a case, a configuration capable of obtaining an output result desired by the user without requiring a complicated operation by the user is required. As a method for outputting a data file, in addition to the above-described printing, for example, there is a method called PC-FAX. PC-FAX is a function that can output (facsimile transmission) a data file managed by a personal computer directly to a telephone network via an output device having a facsimile function.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a new virtual output device registration program that can easily and repeatedly output a specific data file and a computer that executes the virtual output device registration program.

  The present invention made in view of the above problems relates to a data file to be output from an output device and an output setting when the data file is output from the output device, and a data file associated with the output setting. When a single data file is designated, a virtual output device including one output setting associated with the designated one data file is registered in the basic software.

  The first problem-solving means reflecting the present invention is a virtual output device including an output setting for outputting a data file by an output device as a virtual output device that can be used by application software operating on basic software. A virtual output device registration program readable by a computer to be registered in basic software, wherein the computer is a target data file output from the output device, and the data file is output from the output device. An association means for associating the output setting, a designation means for designating a data file associated by the association means, and when one data file is designated by the designation means, it is associated with the one data file. A virtual output device including a single output setting. A virtual output device registration program for functioning as a registration means for registering the wear.

  According to this, a virtual output device including one output setting associated with one data file can be registered in the basic software.

  The second problem solving means is the virtual output device registration program of the first problem solving means, and associates the computer with the one data file when the one data file is designated by the designation means. The virtual output device including the one output setting is made to function as the registration means for registering in the basic software as a default virtual output device used preferentially.

  According to this, a virtual output device including one output setting associated with one data file can be registered in the basic software as a default virtual output device used preferentially.

  A third problem solving means is a virtual output device registration program of the first or second problem solving means, wherein the virtual output device including the one output setting is registered in the basic software by the registration means. When registered, in order to open the one data file, it functions as an application starting means for starting application software for the one data file.

  According to this, a virtual output device including one output setting can be registered in the basic software, and one data file to be output is opened with the application software for this one data file. Can do.

  A fourth problem solving means is the virtual output device registration program of the third problem solving means, wherein the one output setting is the computer in accordance with a command by the application software started by the application starting means. When the one data file is output from the output device with another different output setting, the one data file and the other output setting are made to function as the associating means for associating with each other.

  According to this, one data file can be associated with another output setting.

  In the first to fourth problem solving means, the virtual output device registration program may be constituted by a plurality of computer program modules in addition to the case where the virtual output device registration program is constituted as a single computer program.

  A fifth problem solving means includes a storage unit storing any one of the virtual output device registration programs of the first to fourth problem solving means, and a control for reading and executing the virtual output device registration program from the storage unit A computer. According to this, it can be set as the computer which can implement | achieve the said specific function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a new virtual output device registration program and a computer that executes the virtual output device registration program that can easily and repeatedly output a specific data file.

The figure which shows the functional block of each apparatus which comprises the data file output system and data file output system in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the printing log | history display process in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the printing history list list in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the printing log | history information table in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the printer driver setting screen in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the process at the time of press of the print button in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the print job monitoring process in embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea. For example, in each process described below, a predetermined process step can be omitted.

(System configuration)
FIG. 1 shows a data file output system. In FIG. 1, two data file output systems are constructed. That is, a data file output system constituted by the printer 100 and the personal computer 300 is one of them, and both are connected so that data can be transmitted and received via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 500 (hereinafter, this connection form is referred to as “USB connection”). "It is also called." In addition to USB connection, for example, infrared communication or wireless USB (Wireless USB) may be used. The other one is a data file output system composed of the multifunction device 200 and the personal computer 300, and these devices are connected to each other via a wired LAN (Local Area Network) cable 600 so that data can be transmitted and received. In addition to the wired LAN, for example, a wireless LAN in an infrastructure mode can be used. The multi-function device 200 is connected to the telephone line network 700, and can perform facsimile transmission / reception with other facsimile apparatuses (not shown in FIG. 1) connected to the telephone line network 700.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each apparatus will be described. First, the printer 100 will be described. The printer 100 controls the apparatus itself, and executes a control process 110 including a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM as a work area, and various programs and various types for executing various processes. And a storage unit 120 capable of storing data. The storage unit 120 is configured by, for example, a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). Here, the CPU constituting the control unit 110 executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 120, whereby various processes are executed. At that time, various data, for example, data stored in the storage unit 120 is input and held in the RAM. The CPU accesses the RAM to execute processing using these data. Therefore, various processes are executed by the CPU executing various programs stored in the ROM or the like on the RAM, thereby configuring various functional units.

  The printer 100 also includes a printing unit 130 that prints print data, a display unit 140 that displays various types of information, and an operation unit 150 that implements a function as a data input interface. Note that the operation unit 150 includes, for example, a direction key, a numeric keyboard capable of inputting characters, a confirmation button, and the like. Further, the printer 100 includes a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB I / F”) 160 that is an interface for USB connection. Note that print data is received via the USB I / F 160, and various data are transmitted and received.

  Next, the multifunction device 200 will be described. The multifunction device 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a printing unit 230, a display unit 260, and an operation unit 270. Note that these units have the same configuration as the units included in the printer 100 described above, and execute the same functions. Therefore, the description is omitted. The multifunction device 200 also includes a facsimile unit 240 that transmits facsimile data to the telephone line network 700 and receives facsimile data from the telephone line network 700. For example, based on an instruction from the personal computer 300, a print target file 3214 designated by this instruction is transmitted from the facsimile unit 240 to a destination having a predetermined telephone number. In addition, the multifunction device 200 includes a scanner unit 250 that scans a recording medium placed on a document placement unit (not shown in FIG. 1). Furthermore, the multifunction device 200 includes a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 280 that is an interface for connection to the LAN 600. Note that print data is received via the network I / F 280, and various data are transmitted and received.

  Next, the personal computer 300 will be described. The personal computer 300 controls the device itself, and includes a control unit 310 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and a storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 is composed of, for example, a hard disk. The storage unit 320 stores an OS 3202, a print history display program 3204 for executing processing to be described later, and a print job monitoring program 3206. The storage unit 320 stores an application 3208 and a printer driver 3210. Further, the storage unit 320 stores a print history information table 3212, a print target file 3214, a printer driver configuration file 3216, and a printer driver print setting information file 3218. Note that the storage unit 320 stores two printer drivers 3210, a printer driver for the printer 100 and a printer driver for the multifunction device 200. The storage unit 320 also controls the facsimile unit 240 of the multifunction device 200 to store a facsimile driver for realizing the PC-FAX function and a scanner driver for controlling the scanner unit 250 (both drivers are shown in the figure). 1 is omitted). Examples of the OS 3202 include Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.

  The CPU that configures the control unit 310 uses, for example, data input via the operation unit 340, the print history information table 3212 stored in the storage unit 320, various files 3214, 3216, 3218, and the like in the ROM. Various processes are executed by executing the stored programs and the various programs 3202, 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210, etc. stored in the storage unit 320 on the RAM, thereby configuring various functional units. . Details will be described later.

  The personal computer 300 includes a monitor 330 that displays various types of information, a keyboard and a mouse, an operation unit 340 that implements a function as an input interface for various types of data used for program execution, a USB I / F 350, a network, I / F 360. The personal computer 300 is connected to the printer 100 via the USB I / F 350 so as to be communicable with the USB, and is connected to the MFP 200 via the network I / F 360 so as to be communicable with the LAN.

  Hereinafter, each process executed by the control unit 310 of the personal computer 300 will be described.

(Print history display processing)
FIG. 2 shows a flow of the print history display process. This is done by starting and executing the print history display program 3204 by the control unit 310 of the personal computer 300. When the user instructs activation of the print history display program 3204 via the operation unit 340, the control unit 310 activates the print history display program 3204. The control unit 310 that has started the print history display program 3204 first displays the print history list 800 shown in FIG. The print history list 800 is displayed based on information registered in the print history information table 3212. Details of the registration items of the print history information table 3212 will be described later.

  The print history list 800 includes a list part 810, a print button 820, and a close button 830. In each record of the list portion 810, the file name of the print target file 3214 that has been printed in the past by the printer 100 or the multifunction device 200, the date and time when the print target file 3214 was printed, and the print target file 3214 were printed. The output device name is displayed in association with it. For example, in the upper row of the record, the file name “sentence 1.aaa” is “PRINTER-100 A (printer 100) connected to the personal computer 300 by USB at“ December 7, 2008 9:10:00 ””. ) ”Is displayed. In the third record, the file name “Table 1.bbb” is “MFP-200 B (Composite), which is connected to the personal computer 300 at 15:44:00 on December 3, 2008”. Machine 200) ”is displayed.

  The print button 820 accepts an instruction to make the print target file 3214 ready to start printing in a state where a predetermined print target file 3214 is selected from the records displayed in the list portion 810. Input interface. A close button 830 is an input interface that receives an instruction to close the print history list 800.

  After displaying the print history list 800 on the monitor 330, the control unit 310 determines whether any of the print target files 3214 is selected by the user from the records displayed on the list unit 810 ( S100). Note that the user can operate the operation unit 340 to select a predetermined record. As a result of the determination, if the print target file 3214 is not selected (S100: No), the control unit 310 waits until the print target file 3214 is selected.

  On the other hand, when any of the print target files 3214 is selected (S100: Yes), the control unit 310 configures itself with predetermined information from the print history information table 3212 stored in the storage unit 320. It is read out and acquired on the RAM (S102). Specifically, in step S102, the control unit 310 registers the virtual printer name, printer driver name, and port name used in the record including the file name of the print target file 3214 selected in step S100 in the print history information table 3212. The set value is read and acquired on the RAM. In addition, the control unit 310 obtains a path (information indicating the location where the path / file is stored) in which the printer driver print setting information file 3218 is stored from the record in which the virtual printer name is acquired. Then, the control unit 310 accesses the printer driver print setting information file 3218 according to the acquired path, and acquires the print setting value registered in the RAM on the RAM.

  FIG. 4 shows a print history information table. In each record of the print history information table 3212, in addition to the items described in relation to S102, the path of the printer driver configuration file storage folder in which the printer driver configuration file 3216 is stored is associated and registered. Also, printing date / time information (print date / time in FIG. 3 is displayed based on this) of the print target file 3214 included in the same record is registered in association with each other. The printer driver configuration file 3216 stored in the printer driver configuration file storage folder is a file that configures the printer driver 3210 having the printer driver name registered in the print history information table 3212. The printer driver 3210 includes a plurality of printer driver configuration files 3216.

  After executing S102, the control unit 310 determines whether a printer driver 3210 that matches the printer driver name acquired in S102 is installed (installed) in the storage unit 220 (S104). As a result of the determination, if the printer driver 3210 that matches the printer driver name acquired in S102 is installed (S104: Yes), the control unit 310 is a virtual printer based on the printer driver 3210 and acquired in S102. It is determined whether a virtual printer matching the virtual printer name is registered in the OS 3202 (106). For example, the control unit 310 accesses a database (not shown in FIG. 1) in which settings and the like for the OS 3202 are registered, and performs determinations in S104 and S106.

  As a result of the determination in S106, when the virtual printer is not registered in the OS 3202 (S106: No), the control unit 310 sets a flag “0” indicating that the virtual printer is not registered in the OS 3202 in the RAM or the storage unit 320. Store in the predetermined area (S108). Then, the control unit 310 shifts the process to S114.

  On the other hand, when the virtual printer is registered in the OS 3202 (S106: Yes), the control unit 310 displays a flag “1” indicating that the virtual printer is registered in the OS 3202 in a predetermined area of the RAM or the storage unit 320. (S110). Then, the control unit 310 uses the virtual printer use port name setting value and print setting value that match the virtual printer name acquired in S102, and the use port name setting acquired in the RAM from the printer driver print setting information file 3218 in S102. It is determined whether or not the value matches the print setting value (S112). As a result of the determination, if the two print setting values match (S112: Yes), the control unit 310 moves the process to S120, whereas if both print setting values do not match (S112: No), the process moves to S114. To do.

  In step S114, the control unit 310 creates a virtual printer including the used port name setting value and the print setting value acquired in step S102. Here, the control unit 310 registers the created virtual printer in the OS 3202. And the control part 310 transfers a process to S120.

  Returning to S104, when the printer driver 3210 that matches the printer driver name acquired in S102 is not installed in the storage unit 220 (S104: No), the control unit 310 executes the following process. That is, the control unit 310 uses the printer driver configuration file 3216 in the printer driver configuration file storage folder registered in the record of the print history information table 3212 including the file name of the print target file 3214 selected in S100, The printer driver 3210 that matches the printer driver name acquired in S102 is reinstalled (S116).

  After executing S116, the control unit 310 displays the print setting value of the reinstalled printer driver 3210, the used port name setting value acquired in S102, and the print setting value acquired on the RAM from the printer driver print setting information file 3218. Then, the setting value is changed according to (S118). And the control part 310 transfers a process to S120. By executing S118, the virtual printer registered in the record of the print history information table 3212 including the file name of the print target file 3214 selected in S100 is registered again in the OS 3202. At this time, the control unit 310 stores the flag “0” as in S108 (S119).

  In step S120, the control unit 310 displays the printer driver setting screen 900 (see FIG. 5) on the monitor 330. A printer driver setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 5 is that of the printer driver 3210 for the printer 100. The printer driver setting screen 900 is classified into basic settings and extended settings, and includes a basic setting tab 910 and an extended setting tab 920 for displaying each setting. The user operates the operation unit 340 and presses the basic setting tab 910 or the extended setting tab 920 to switch each setting. The printer driver setting screen 900 of FIG. 5 shows a state in which the basic setting tab 910 is selected. As print settings, the paper size “A4”, the paper storage location “tray 1”, the paper type “plain paper”, double-sided -The single-sided printing function “double-sided printing” and the printing direction “portrait” are specified. In the extended settings, for example, print quality (standard (for example, 600 dpi × 600 dpi) / beautiful (equivalent to 2400 dpi) and color settings (standard / bright) can be specified. The printer driver setting screen 900 is OK. Button 930. Here, each print setting value included in the printer driver setting screen 900 is a print setting value included in the virtual printer based on each process of S112, S114, or S118, in other words, in S100. This is a print setting value included in the virtual printer of the virtual printer name registered in the record of the print history information table 3212 including the file name of the selected print target file 3214.

  When the user presses the OK button 930 via the operation unit 340 while the printer driver setting screen 900 is displayed on the monitor 330, the control unit 310 closes the printer driver setting screen 900 and returns the process to S100. In this state, the print history list 800 is continuously displayed on the monitor 330. When the user presses the close button 830 of the print history list 800 via the operation unit 340, the control unit 310 ends this process.

(Processing when the print button is pressed)
FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing when the print button is pressed. This processing when the print button is pressed is performed by executing the print history display program 3204 as in the print history display processing (see FIG. 2). The control unit 310 monitors the press of the print button 820 while executing the print history display process shown in FIG. 2 (S200). Then, the control unit 310 waits until the print button 820 is pressed (S200: No). The control unit 310 selects one of the print target files 3214 in the list unit 810 of the print history list 800 via the operation unit 340 (S100: Yes in FIG. 2), and presses the print button 820. When the button is pressed (S200: Yes), the following process when the print button is pressed is specifically started.

  In step S202, the control unit 310 displays the virtual printer name registered in the record of the print history information table 3212 including the file name of the print target file 3214 selected in step S100 of the print history display process illustrated in FIG. The data is read from the table 3212 and acquired (stored) on the RAM. Note that the virtual printer name already acquired in S102 of the print history display process shown in FIG. 2 may be used.

  Specifically, for example, when the print target file “sentence 1.aaa” registered in the upper record of the list unit 810 is selected (S100: Yes in FIG. 2), and the print button 820 is pressed (S200). : Yes), the controller 310 reads the virtual printer name “PRINTER-100 A” registered in this record from the top record of the print history information table 3212 in which “text 1.aaa” is registered, The data is stored on the RAM (S202). In addition, when the print target file “Table 1.bbb” registered in the third row record of the list portion 810 is selected (S100: Yes in FIG. 2) and the print button 820 is pressed (S200: Yes), The control unit 310 reads the virtual printer name “MFP-200 B” registered in this record from the third record in the print history information table 3212 in which “Table 1.bbb” is registered, and stores it in the RAM. Store (S202). The virtual printer name “PRINTER-100 A” is a virtual printer intended for the printer 100 (printing unit 130) connected to the personal computer 300 via the USB cable 500. In addition, the virtual printer is a virtual printer whose target is the MFP 200 (printing unit 230) connected to the personal computer 300 by the wired LAN cable 600 with the virtual printer name “MFP-200 B”.

  Next, the control unit 310 stores a virtual printer name (ordinary printer name) registered in the OS 3202 as a default virtual printer (printer) to be used preferentially in a predetermined area of the RAM or the storage unit 320. Store (S204). Then, the control unit 310 determines whether or not the virtual printer having the virtual printer name acquired in S202 is registered in the OS 3202 as a default virtual printer (S206). Here, the control unit 310 determines in S206 based on whether or not the virtual printer name acquired in S202 matches the virtual printer name stored in S204. As a result of the determination, when the virtual printer having the virtual printer name acquired in S202 is registered in the OS 3202 as the default virtual printer (S206: Yes), the control unit 310 shifts the processing to S210. On the other hand, when the virtual printer with the virtual printer name acquired in S202 is not registered in the OS 3202 as the default virtual printer (S206: No), the control unit 310 uses the virtual printer name acquired in S202 registered in the OS 3202. The virtual printer is registered in the OS 3202 as a default virtual printer (S208).

  For example, when the virtual printer name “PRINTER-100 A” is stored in the RAM in S202, the control unit 310 registers the virtual printer with the virtual printer name “PRINTER-100 A” in the OS 3202 as the default virtual printer. (S208). If the virtual printer name “MFP-200 B” is stored in the RAM in S202, the control unit 310 registers the virtual printer with the virtual printer name “MFP-200 B” in the OS 3202 as a default virtual printer. (S208). Note that the virtual printer with the virtual printer name acquired in S202 is registered in the OS 3202 in the print history display process S114 or S118 in FIG. And the control part 310 transfers a process to S210.

  In step S210, the control unit 310 activates the application 3208 associated with the print target file 3214 selected in step S100, and opens the print target file 3214. The print target file 3214, specifically, the correspondence between the extension of the print target file 3214 and the application 3208 is registered in the database (not shown in FIG. 1) in which the settings for the OS 3202, for example, are registered. Based on the registration in the database, the control unit 310 identifies the application 3208 to be activated. Note that the virtual printer registered in S208 can be used by the application 3208 activated in S210. After starting the predetermined application 3208 in S210, the control unit 310 reads the print job monitoring program 3206 from the storage unit 320 and starts it (S212). And the control part 310 complete | finishes this process.

(Print job monitoring process)
FIG. 7 shows a flow of the print job monitoring process. This process is started in step S212 of the print button pressing process shown in FIG. The control unit 310 of the personal computer 300 that has started this process first inputs a print instruction for the opened print target file 3214 via the operation unit 340 in the application 3208 activated in S210 of FIG. It is determined whether or not a printing process based on the input printing instruction has been started (S300). Here, the control unit 310 determines that the printing process has been started on the condition that the print job created based on the application 3208 is registered in the printer queue realized by the OS 3202. As a result of the determination, if the printing process has not been started (S300: No), the control unit 310 waits until a printing instruction is input.

  On the other hand, when the printing process is started (S300: Yes), the control unit 310 acquires printer driver print setting information included in the print job (S302). Here, the printer driver print setting information is a specific print setting value included in the print job, and the user issues a print instruction based on the virtual printer registered in step S208 of the print button pressing process in FIG. If entered, the setting value remains registered. When inputting the print instruction, the operation unit 340 is operated to call the setting screen of the printer driver 3210 from the application 3208, and when the print setting value is changed based on the called setting screen, the changed setting value is used. The same applies to a case where a print instruction based on another virtual printer registered in advance in the OS 3202 is input.

  After executing S302, the control unit 310 determines whether the printing process has been completed (S304). Specifically, the control unit 310 processes a print job created based on the application 3208 based on the printer driver 3210, and print data based on this processing is transferred from the USB I / F 350 to the printer 100 or the network I / F 360. It is determined whether or not the data has been transmitted to the multifunction device 200. Here, the control unit 310 monitors the printer queue in which the current print job is registered, and determines that the print data has been transmitted when it is output from this printer queue. Note that the printer 100 receives the print data transmitted from the personal computer 300 via the USB I / F 160 and prints it using the printing unit 130. In addition, the multifunction device 200 receives print data transmitted from the personal computer 300 via the network I / F 280 and prints it using the printing unit 230. As a result, the print target file 3214 is printed by the printer 100 or the multifunction device 200 according to the printer driver print setting information. As a result of the determination in S304, if the printing process has not ended (S304: No), the control unit 310 waits until the printing process ends.

  On the other hand, when the printing process is completed (S304: Yes), the control unit 310 acquires the file name of the printer driver configuration file 3216 constituting the printer driver 3210 used in the current printing process (S306). As described above, since the printer driver 3210 includes a plurality of printer driver configuration files 3216, in step S306, the control unit 310 uses the virtual printer set at the time of inputting a print instruction in the current print processing. The specified printer driver 3210 is specified, and a plurality of printer driver configuration file names constituting the printer driver 3210 are acquired. Note that the printer driver configuration file name is registered in the above-described database in which settings for the OS 3202, for example, are registered. The control unit 310 acquires each printer driver configuration file name from this database using an API (Application Program Interface). Then, the control unit 310 stores each printer driver configuration file 3216 to which the printer driver configuration file name acquired in S306 is assigned in a predetermined folder (see the printer driver configuration file storage folder in FIG. 4) (S308).

  For example, when the current print processing is executed based on the printer driver 3210 whose printer driver name is “PRINTER-100” (see FIG. 4), the control unit 310 displays the printer driver configuration file 3216 that constitutes the printer driver 3210. Is acquired (S306), and each printer driver configuration file 3216 to which the acquired file name is assigned is stored in a printer driver configuration file storage folder whose path is “ID_0001” (see FIG. 4) (S308). . When the current print processing is executed based on the printer driver 3210 whose printer driver name is “MFP-200” (see FIG. 4), the control unit 310 displays the printer driver configuration file that configures the printer driver 3210. The file name 3216 is acquired (S306), and each printer driver configuration file 3216 to which the acquired file name is assigned is stored in the printer driver configuration file storage folder whose path is “ID_0002” (see FIG. 4) (S308). ).

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 displays the print setting value included in the printer driver print setting information acquired in S302, the port name setting value of the virtual printer set when the print instruction is input (see S300: Yes), and the like. The included printer driver print setting information file 3218 is stored in a predetermined area (see FIG. 4) of the storage unit 320 (S310).

  After executing S310, the control unit 310 uses the folder path in which the printer driver configuration file 3216 is stored in S308 as the predetermined path of the record in which the print target file 3214 selected in S100 of the print history display process in FIG. Update registration is performed in the field (S312). Further, the control unit 310 updates and registers the storage destination path of the printer driver print setting information file 3218 stored in S310 in a predetermined field of the record in which the print target file 3214 selected in S100 of FIG. 2 is registered ( S312).

  For example, if “sentence 1.aaa” is selected in S100 of FIG. 2, the path “ID_0001” in which the printer driver configuration file 3216 of the printer driver 3210 whose printer driver name is “PRINTER-100” is stored; The storage destination path “PRINTER-100_0001” of the printer driver print setting information file 3218 stored in S310 is updated and registered in a predetermined field of the uppermost record in FIG. In addition, when “Table 1.bbb” is selected in S100 of FIG. 2, the path “ID_0002” in which the printer driver configuration file 3216 of the printer driver 3210 whose printer driver name is “MFP-200” is stored; The storage destination path “MFP-200_001” of the printer driver print setting information file 3218 stored in S310 is updated and registered in a predetermined field of the third record in FIG. Note that the printing date information is also updated at the time of update registration.

  After executing S312, the control unit 310 stores the default virtual printer (usually used printer) to be used preferentially from the one registered in S208 of the print button pressing process in FIG. 6 in S204 in FIG. 6. The virtual printer name is returned to the virtual printer (printer before starting printing) (S314).

  Thereafter, the control unit 310 determines whether or not the flag stored in a predetermined area of the RAM or the storage unit 320 (see S110, S108, and S119 of the S print history display process in FIG. 2) is “0”. (S316). As a result of the determination, if the flag is “0” (S316: Yes), the control unit 310 deletes the virtual printer registered in the OS 3202 as the default virtual printer in S208 of FIG. 6 from the OS 3202 (S318). Thereby, the setting of the OS 3202 can be returned to the state before the start of the process when the print button is pressed in FIG. When the flag stored in the RAM or the like is “1” (S316: No) or when S318 is executed, the control unit 310 ends this process.

(Modification)
The configuration of the present embodiment described above can also be configured as follows.

  (1) In the above, the print history display process in FIG. 2 and the print button pressing process in FIG. 6 are executed based on the print history display program 3204, and the print job monitor process in FIG. 7 is executed based on the print job monitoring program 3206. The description is based on the configuration. In addition to such a configuration, for example, a configuration in which each of the print history display process of FIG. 2 and the print button press process of FIG. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that is executed by one computer program including the above-described three processing program modules.

  (2) The above description is based on the configuration in which the registration in the print history information table 3212 in S312 of the print job monitoring process in FIG. 7 is update registration. In addition to such a configuration, a configuration for additional registration may be employed. As described above, when inputting a print instruction from the application 3208, the user can operate the operation unit 340 to call the setting screen of the printer driver 3210 and change the print setting value based on the called setting screen. It is. In this case, the printing process is executed with a print setting value different from the print setting value included in the virtual printer registered in S208 of FIG. A printer driver print setting information file 3218 including the newly set print setting value is stored in the storage unit 320, and a record including the path of the printer driver print setting information file 3218 is selected in S100 of the print history display process of FIG. According to the configuration in which additional registration is performed in association with, for example, the user can select a desired one from a plurality of print settings when printing the same print target file 3214 again (FIG. 3). reference). However, even in this case, a configuration is adopted in which the same record (difference in print date information) is not registered twice.

  (3) In the above description, the configuration based on each printer driver 3210 for the virtual printer to control the printer 100 and the multifunction device 200 has been described as an example. In addition to such a configuration, a configuration targeting the PC-FAX function realized by the facsimile unit 240 of the multi-function device 200 based on a facsimile driver installed in the storage unit 320 of the personal computer 300 may be employed. In this case, a virtual printer (virtual facsimile apparatus) based on the facsimile driver is registered in the OS 3202. When the user inputs a print instruction in the activated application 3208, the user can designate facsimile transmission of the print target file 3214 to the telephone line network 700 based on the virtual facsimile apparatus. In this case, the destination telephone number and transmission quality are used as a configuration corresponding to the print setting value.

  (4) In the above configuration, the virtual printer having the virtual printer name acquired in S202 (see FIG. 6) registered in the OS 3202 in S208 of the print button pressing process in FIG. 6 is registered in the OS 3202 as a default virtual printer. Was described as an example. Here, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which S208 and the like are omitted. Even in this case, when the user inputs a print instruction in the application 3208 activated in S210 of FIG. 6, the user operates the operation unit 340 to register a virtual printer registered in advance in the OS 3202 from the application 3208 (the default virtual printer in S208). A virtual printer registered as a printer) can be selected and a print instruction can be input (see S300 of the print job monitoring process in FIG. 7).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 200 Multifunction machine 300 Personal computer 310 Control part 320 Storage part 3202 OS
3204 Print History Display Program 3206 Print Job Monitoring Program 3208 Application 3210 Printer Driver 3212 Print History Information Table 3214 Print Target File (Data File)
3216 Printer driver configuration file 3218 Printer driver print setting information file 330 Monitor 340 Operation unit

Claims (5)

A virtual output device that can be read by a computer registered in the basic software as a virtual output device that can be used by application software that operates on the basic software as a virtual output device that includes output settings for outputting a data file by the output device A registration program,
The computer,
Association means for associating a target data file output from the output device with the output setting when the data file is output from the output device;
Designation means for designating a data file associated by the association means;
A virtual output device for causing a virtual output device including one output setting associated with the one data file to function as a registration unit for registering in the basic software when one data file is designated by the designation unit Registration program. The computer,
When the one data file is designated by the designation means, the basic software is used as a default virtual output device that is preferentially used as a virtual output device including one output setting associated with the one data file. The virtual output device registration program according to claim 1, wherein the virtual output device registration program causes the registration unit to function as a registration unit. The computer,
Application activation that activates application software for the one data file to open the one data file when the virtual output device including the one output setting is registered in the basic software by the registration unit The virtual output device registration program according to claim 1 or 2 for functioning as means. The computer,
When the one data file is output from the output device with another output setting different from the one output setting according to a command by the application software started by the application starting means, the one data file, The virtual output device registration program according to claim 3, wherein the virtual output device registration program functions as the association unit that associates the other output setting. A storage unit storing the virtual output device registration program according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And a control unit that reads and executes the virtual output device registration program from the storage unit.