JP2024086498A - Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: when a corrected file is re-printed, operations to designate correction/additional pages to print pages are required in addition to reflecting print settings in the previous printing, which may cause time and effort and operational errors related to the operations.SOLUTION: A printing PC 102, in response to designation of a print document, specifies a past print job that has printed a document corresponding to the print document from a print history as a previous print job (S2101-S2104), reflects print settings of the specified previous job to print settings of the print document (S2106), compares the print document with the document printed in the previous job, and controls to designate, of the pages of the print document, pages in which the difference from the document printed in the previous job is detected as print pages (S2107-S2110).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program.

Generally, when outputting using an image output device such as a printer, in addition to selecting the image output device, the information processing device creates a print job that combines various settings such as paper feed settings such as the type and size of paper to be used when outputting, quality settings such as priority image quality and print quality, and layout settings such as rotation and print position, and sends the print job to the image output device. After printing is executed, the print settings and print document information set in the print job are stored in the information processing device or image output device as a print history.

If the user notices an error or omission in the output of a poster, design drawing, photograph, etc. after printing, the user will reprint the file. When reprinting a corrected file with the previous print settings, the user will perform the following operations on the information processing device.
- Checking whether the modifications to the modified file are correct using a preview, etc. - Identifying the previous job from the print history, checking whether the print settings are the same, and changing the settings if necessary - Specifying only modified/added pages to prevent printing of unnecessary pages

Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that aims to simplify reprint operations by creating and sending a reprint job based on print history information selected by the user.

JP 2005-173725 A

As described above, when reprinting a modified file, in addition to identifying the previous job and reflecting the print settings, it is necessary to specify the print pages for the modified/added pages, which requires time and the risk of operational errors.
Although the technology of Patent Document 1 simplifies reprinting operations, the user must manually specify the print history and the pages to be corrected or added as print pages, and the effort required by the user and the risk of operational errors cannot be completely eliminated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can significantly reduce the effort required for print settings and print page specification when modifying and reprinting a print document, while reducing setting errors and significantly improving usability when reprinting.

The present invention is an information processing device that generates a print job, and is characterized by having a management means for managing past print jobs as a print history, a determination means for controlling, in response to a print document being specified, to identify a past print job that printed a document corresponding to the print document from the print history as a previous print job, a reflection means for controlling to reflect the print settings of the identified previous job in the print settings of the print document, and a designation means for comparing the print document with a document printed in the previous job, and controlling to designate, as a print page, each page of the print document where a difference has been detected from the document printed in the previous job.

According to the present invention, when modifying and reprinting a print document, the effort required for print settings and print page specification can be significantly reduced, while setting errors can be reduced, significantly improving usability when reprinting.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram in a network environment of the system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a printing PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing print history information according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen of print setting information displayed on a printing PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print history display screen displayed on a printing PC according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in a printing PC according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a process in a printing PC according to a second embodiment (difference from the first embodiment). 13 is a flowchart showing a process in a printing PC according to a third embodiment (difference from the first embodiment). 13 is a flowchart showing a process in a printing PC according to a fourth embodiment (difference from the first embodiment). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a confirmation dialog displayed on a printing PC according to the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a process in a printing PC according to a fifth embodiment (difference from the first embodiment). FIG. 13 is a view showing a confirmation dialog displayed on a printing PC according to a fifth embodiment.

Below, the embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

First Embodiment
First, an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. The information processing system according to the present embodiment is a printing system for a plurality of image output devices. In the printing system, a print job is created and transmitted to the image output devices by an externally connected PC. When creating the print job, printing settings are edited on the screen of the PC as necessary.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration in a network environment of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 1, the printing PC 102 can be connected to image output devices (100-101) via a network 103, and the printing PC 102 creates a print job and transmits the print job to the image output devices (100-101). In the example of Fig. 1, two image output devices are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one or three or more image output devices may be used. The printing PC is also shown as one, but two or more printing PCs may be used. The printing PC 102 and the image output devices (100-101) may be connected via a communication medium other than a network, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or USB.

The printing PC 102 is an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), tablet terminal, or smartphone. The image output devices (100-101) are devices such as printers and multifunction devices, and may also be referred to as image forming devices or printing devices. The image output devices (100-101) store status information updated by paper feed replacement, device settings, etc.

As an example of executing printing, this embodiment describes a system in which a print job is sent from a printing application installed on the printing PC 102 to the image output device (100) via a printer driver.

The printing application and the printer driver are installed on the printing PC 102. The printing application obtains device information of the associated image output device (100) and printing parameters such as paper type, paper size, and print quality from the printer driver, and displays a print setting information display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later. The print setting information display screen 600 will be described in detail in FIG. 6, but will be briefly described here.

A user can submit a print document such as a PDF file or a TIFF file by dropping the print document onto the print setting information display screen 600 or by specifying the print document via cloud storage or file management software. That is, the print document can be specified. When a print document is submitted, a list of the submitted print document, such as file names and page numbers, is displayed in the file list display section 601 on the print setting information display screen 600. Furthermore, a page image rendered for each page is displayed in the preview display section 602. The user can set the print parameters as described above in the print setting display section 603 of the print setting information display screen 600. In addition, the user can instruct the submitted print document to be printed according to the print parameters by pressing the print button 604 on the print setting display section 603.

When printing is instructed, the printing PC 102 sets the printing parameters set by the user on the print setting display unit 603 in the print job, and executes the print process by sending the print job to the associated image output device (100) via the spool of the printer driver. Note that the printing parameters set by the user on the print setting display unit 603 and the print document information are stored in the printing PC 102 as history information of past print jobs after printing is executed. Of course, the history information may be stored in the image output device (100).

2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image output device 100. Note that the image output device 101 has a similar configuration, so a description thereof will be omitted.
The image output device 100 is controlled by a CPU 200. The CPU 200 operates based on a control program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 201 or a control program stored in an external memory 208. The CPU 200 outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 207 connected to a printing unit I/F 205 via a system bus 203. The CPU 200 is capable of communication processing with the printing PC 102 via an input unit 204, and can notify the printing PC 102 of information in the image output device 100. The CPU 200 can also receive output data to be output to the printing unit 207 via the input unit 204.

RAM 202 functions as the main memory and work area of CPU 200, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). RAM 202 is used as an output information expansion area, an environmental data storage area, a non-volatile memory, etc.

Access to an external memory 208 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an IC card is controlled by a memory controller 206. The external memory 208 can be connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, information related to paper registered in the image output device, the paper attribute information, and the like.
The operation unit 209 includes an operation panel and is capable of displaying various types of information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the computer configuration of the printing PC 102. As shown in FIG.
The computer interior 307 includes a CPU 300 , a ROM 301 , a RAM 302 , a keyboard controller 304 , a display controller 305 , and a disk controller 306 .

The CPU 300 reads various programs, such as the control program, the system program, the printing application and printer driver described above, and other application programs, from the external memory 310 via the disk controller 306 into the RAM 302. The CPU 300 executes the various programs read into the RAM 302 to perform various data processing operations and to control the display 309. The CPU 300 may read the control program and the like from the ROM 301. The CPU 300 may be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The CPU 300 and the dedicated circuit are examples of a hardware circuit or hardware processor.

The disk controller 306 controls access to an external memory 310 such as a HDD, SSD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB.
The RAM 302 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown) or the like, and is used mainly as a work area for the CPU 300 .
A keyboard controller 304 controls key input from a keyboard 308 or a pointing device (not shown).
The display controller 305 controls the display on the display 309 .
In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 300 controls each unit connected to the main bus 303 via the main bus 303 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the present system relating to the group of image output devices 100 to 101 and the printing PC 102. As shown in FIG.
First, the functional blocks within the image output device 100 will be described.
A status information storage unit 406, a print job receiving unit 407, and a print execution unit 408 correspond to functions that are realized when the CPU 200 reads and executes a program corresponding to each of the above units that is stored in the ROM 201 in a computer-readable manner.

The status information storage unit 406 stores values set by the user on the operation unit 209, such as the paper type and paper width (size) of each paper feed port, as well as values automatically set within the image output device. In the image output device, the print job receiving unit 407 receives a print job sent from the printing PC 102, checks the consistency between the received print job and the information stored in the status information storage unit 406, and if there is no problem with the consistency, the print execution unit 408 executes the print process.

Next, the functional blocks in the printing PC 102 will be described.
A print file reception unit 401, a print setting information display unit 402, a print history search unit 403, a page information comparison unit 404, and a print job transmission unit 405 correspond to the functions of the print application described above. The functions of the print application are realized in the printing PC 102 by the CPU 300 reading and executing a print application program stored in a computer-readable manner in the external memory 310. The print history information DB 400 is implemented as a database that stores the actual state of the print history in the external memory 310, for example.

When the print application is started on the printing PC 102, the print setting information display unit 402 displays the print setting information display screen 600 in an initial state as the print application operation screen. In the print application, the print file reception unit 401 first accepts the submission of a print document. For example, the file corresponding to the document to be printed is accepted by dragging and dropping it onto the print setting information display screen 600. When the submission of the print document is accepted, the print setting information display unit 402 acquires information from the status information storage unit 406 from the image output device 100 and creates a print job (details will be described later). After that, the print job transmission unit 405 transmits the created print job to the image output device 100 via a printer driver or spooler already installed in the printing PC 102. The setting values and print document information related to the transmitted print job are stored as history information in the print history information DB 400.

In response to the submission of a print document from the print file receiving unit 401, the print setting information display unit 402 searches the print history information DB 400 for past print history corresponding to the submitted print document in the print history search unit 403, and determines whether or not it is a reprint. If it is a reprint, the print setting information display unit 402 reflects the print setting information stored in the print history information DB 400 on the print setting information display screen 600. Furthermore, in the case of reprinting, the page information comparison unit 404 compares page information, extracts modified/added pages (pages where differences are detected), and specifies print pages according to the extraction results. As described above, when reprinting is performed, it is possible to automatically identify the previous job and reflect the print settings of the previous job, and further automatically specify print pages for modified/added pages, reducing the user's efforts and reducing operational errors.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the print history information stored in the print history information DB 400. As shown in FIG.
The print history information includes parameters such as an ID 500 for uniquely identifying the print history information, a history item 501, and history information 502 including each piece of history information (5021 to 5023) in its configuration.

The history information 502 stores information including setting values related to the job sent by the print job sending unit 405 and page images of the print document, for example, in chronological order. Of course, the order in which the information is stored as history information may be in the order of the print document name, in the order of the name of each image output device, or in any other order.

In the example of FIG. 5, only the most recent three pieces of history information 502 are shown, but more information may be stored, or a smaller number of pieces of history information 502 may be stored. Also, each parameter type may be managed in a separate file, or parameter types other than those mentioned above may be included in the print history information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 600 of print setting information targeted at the image output device 100, which is displayed on the display 309 of the printing PC .
The display screen 600 for print setting information includes a file list display section 601, a preview display section 602, and a print setting display section 603. The file list display section 601 displays a list of document information to be printed by document or page, and the print page can also be specified. The preview display section 602 displays a preview of the layout of the page selected in the file list display section 601. The print setting display section 603 accepts editing of the setting values of various print setting items. Note that the display screen 600 may be configured so that only the print setting display section 603 is displayed, or display sections other than those described above may be present on the display screen 600.
Pressing the print button 604 causes a print job to be created and sent.

In FIG. 6, the paper feed slot, paper type, and paper size are displayed together as "paper feed," but they may be selected separately. Also, other groups such as print quality and rotation/print position may be displayed together. As for the file list display section 601, thumbnails may be displayed in a list to provide an overview of the contents of each page, or the list format may be switched on the screen. Print pages may also be specified on a screen other than the file list display section 601, and the granularity of the specification may be specified not only for each page but also for all pages of the file at once.

A submission operation can be performed by dropping a print document, such as a PDF file or a TIFF file, onto the print setting information display screen 600, or by specifying the document via cloud storage or file management software. When a submission operation is performed, a past print history corresponding to the print document is searched for in the print history information DB 400 based on information such as the file name and page size of the print document, and the history information 502 is reflected in the print setting values of the print setting display section 603. In addition, only print pages that differ from the history information 502 are automatically extracted, and the print specification for the page is reflected in the file list display section 601.

When reprinting, the user may be allowed to select the target history information 502 from the print history display screen 700 shown in FIG.
For example, a history selection button (not shown) may be provided on the print setting information display screen 600, and the print history display screen 700 may be displayed in response to pressing of the button.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print history display screen 700 displayed on the printing PC.
The print history display screen 700 allows the user to select the target for reprinting from the history information 502 stored in the print history information DB 400 and displayed in a list in a history information list 701. Pressing an OK button 702 causes the selected history information 502 to be reflected in the print setting values in the print setting display area 603 and the print page designation in the file list display area 601. Of course, when opening the print history display screen 700, a past print history corresponding to the currently submitted print document may be searched for and the history information 502 may be highlighted in the history information list 701 to reduce the selection load on the user. Also, a search for a past print history corresponding to the print document may be executed by dragging and dropping a print document file onto the display area of the history information list 701.

Furthermore, if there are any setting values in the history information 502 that cannot be reflected as is when the print settings are reflected, an icon indicating a print setting mismatch may be displayed in the print setting display section of the print setting display unit 603 to alert the user to the warning. Of course, the warning may be alerted in a manner other than that described above, such as a warning message or a pop-up notification.

8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the printing PC 102 according to the first embodiment. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is realized, for example, by the CPU 300 reading a program stored in the ROM 301 into the RAM 302 and executing the program.
When a printing application is launched on the printing PC 102 together with the specification of a print document, or when a print document is submitted to the print setting information display screen 600, the print setting information display unit 402 starts the processing of this flowchart (S2100).

First, the print setting information display unit 402 requests the print history search unit 403 to repeat the following process as many times as the number of pieces of history information 502 stored in the print history information DB 400, and searches for the history that will be the source of reprinting (S2101). The print history search unit 403 selects one of the unprocessed print histories 502 as the processing target (hereinafter referred to as "current history information"), and proceeds to S2102.

In step S2102, the print history search unit 403 checks whether the file name of the current history information 502 matches that of the print document.
If the file name of the current history information 502 does not match that of the print document (No in S2102), the print history search unit 403 returns the process to S2101 and controls the next print history 502 to be processed.
On the other hand, if the file name of the current history information 502 matches that of the print document (Yes in S2102), the print history searching unit 403 advances the process to S2103.

In S2102 above, the previous print job is identified by a match in the file names, but the previous print job may be identified by a match based on the file names, such as a match in at least part of the file names. A user may manage the version of a document by adding a date-related string (e.g., a string expressed as "yyyymmdd") or a version-related string (e.g., a string expressed as "Nth edition") to the file name. Therefore, the previous job may be identified by a match in the file names excluding the date-related strings and version-related strings described above. When determining whether the file names match, the user may be able to set rules for the strings to be excluded from the file names using regular expressions, etc.

In S2103, if there is already a history candidate to be used for reprinting, the print history search unit 403 checks whether the current history information 502 has a newer print time than the history candidate. If the current history information 502 does not have a newer print time than the history candidate (No in S2103), the print history search unit 403 returns the process to S2101 and controls the next print history 502 to be processed.

On the other hand, if the current history information 502 has a newer print time than the history candidate, or if there is no history candidate to be used for reprinting (Yes in step S2103), the print history searching unit 403 advances the process to step S2104.
In step S2104, the print history search unit 403 selects the current history information 502 as the history candidate, and returns the process to step S2101, where it controls so that the next print history 502 is processed.

Then, when the print history search unit 403 has completed the above-mentioned processing for all the history information 502 stored in the print history information DB 400, it returns the processing to the print setting information display unit 402.

Next, the print setting information display unit 402 checks whether there is a history candidate that can be used as a source for reprinting (S2105). If there is no history candidate that can be used as a source for reprinting (No in S2105), the print setting information display unit 402 ends the process of this flowchart (S2111).
On the other hand, if there is a history candidate that can be used for reprinting (Yes in step S2105), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to step S2106.

In S2106, the print setting information display unit 402 reflects the print settings of the history information 502 last selected in S2104 above to the print setting display unit 603, and the process proceeds to S2107.

In S2107, the print setting information display unit 402 requests the page information comparison unit 404 to repeat the following process for the number of pages of the submitted print document, extracts corrected/added pages, and specifies print pages according to the extraction results. The page information comparison unit 404 selects one of the unprocessed pages as the processing target (hereinafter referred to as the "current page"), and proceeds to S2108.

In S2108, the page information comparison unit 404 checks whether there is a page image in the history information 502 that matches the page image of the current page.
If there is a page image that matches the page image of the current page (Yes in S2108), the page information comparison unit 404 proceeds to S2110. In S2110, the page information comparison unit 404 designates the current page as a page not to be printed. Thereafter, the page information comparison unit 404 returns the process to S2107 and controls the next page to be processed.

On the other hand, if there is no page image in the history information 502 that matches the page image of the current page (No in S2108), the page information comparison unit 404 determines that the current page is a difference/addition page (a difference has been detected), and proceeds to S2109. In S2109, the page information comparison unit 404 specifies the current page as the print page. Thereafter, the page information comparison unit 404 returns the process to S2107, and controls so that the next page is processed.

When the page information comparison unit 404 has completed the above-mentioned processing for all pages of the submitted print document, it returns the processing to the print setting information display unit 402. Then, the print setting information display unit 402 ends the processing of this flowchart (S2111).

Note that the print setting information display unit 402 may acquire the image output device status information storage unit 406 immediately before the start of this flowchart, or may do so in advance at a different timing.

Furthermore, after the process of S2106, for pages where print cuts will occur after the print settings have been reflected, a warning icon may be displayed on that page on the file list display area 601, for example, to make the user aware of the warning. By clicking on this warning icon, the user may be able to instruct the page size to be modified so that print cuts will not occur. When this instruction is given, the page size is automatically reduced so that print cuts will not occur. In this way, for each page of the print document whose page size exceeds the print range based on the print settings reflected from the history, it is possible to reduce the page size based on the print range. Note that this page size reduction process may be performed automatically even without a user instruction.

As described above, in the first embodiment, as shown in S2104, S2106, and S2109 in FIG. 8, extraction of history information 502 corresponding to the submitted print document, print settings of history information 502, and printing specifications for difference/additional pages are automatically performed. This reduces the effort required to reflect print settings when reprinting when submitting a print document for reprinting, and prevents setting errors. In addition, printing of pages that do not need to be printed can also be prevented. As a result, it is possible to reprint only difference/additional pages with the same print settings as the previous print.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the repeat process of S2107 in Fig. 8 automatically specifies to print only the difference and added pages from the previous printing. If, for example, one week or one month has passed since the previous printing, it is highly likely that the output paper from the previous printing is no longer available. If a certain amount of time has passed since the previous printing, all pages including the difference and added pages may be specified to be printed. This embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the printing PC 102 of the second embodiment, and only the differences from FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment are shown here.
As shown in FIG. 9, the process of this flowchart starts after the process of S2106 in FIG. 8 (S2200).

First, in S2201, the print setting information display unit 402 checks whether a certain period of time has passed since the history information 502 was last selected in S2104 of FIG. 8. If the certain period of time has not yet passed (No in S2201), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2107 of FIG. 8 (S2203).

On the other hand, if the certain time has elapsed (YES in S2201), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2202. In S2202, the print setting information display unit 402 designates all pages of the print document as print pages, and advances the process to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2204).
The above-mentioned certain period may be set by the user.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when reprinting, it is possible to specify the pages to be printed while taking into account the time that has elapsed since the previous printing.

Third Embodiment
In the above second embodiment, a configuration has been described in which all pages, including difference and added pages, are designated for printing if a certain amount of time has passed since the previous printing. However, there may be cases in which the exact same print document is to be reproduced and printed even if no time has passed. In such cases, there are no difference or added pages, but it is necessary to designate all pages for printing. An embodiment that can handle this case will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the printing PC 102 of the third embodiment, and only the differences from FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment are shown here.
As shown in FIG. 10, the process of this flowchart starts after the repeated process of S2107 in FIG. 8 (S2300).

First, in S2301, the print setting information display unit 402 checks whether or not a page designated to be printed does not exist (i.e., no difference is detected and all pages match). If a page designated to be printed exists (No in S2301), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2303).

On the other hand, if the print specified page does not exist (Yes in S2301), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2302.
In S2302, the print setting information display unit 402 determines that this is a case of reproduction printing in which no corrected/added pages exist, specifies all pages of the print document as print pages, and advances the process to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2303).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to deal with cases where the exact same print document is to be reproduced and printed.
It should be noted that the present embodiment may be combined with the configuration of the second embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment
In the above embodiment, if differences are detected in all pages of the print document, all pages are designated as print pages. Note that if differences are detected in all pages, it may simply be that the file name of the print document happens to match the history information 502, and it is possible that this is not a reprint from a previous job. In such a case, after the repeated processing of S2107 in FIG. 8, the user may be asked whether to cancel the application (reflection) of the settings of the previous job performed in S2106. An embodiment that can handle this case will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the printing PC 102 of the fourth embodiment, and only the differences from FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment are shown here.
As shown in FIG. 11, the process of this flowchart starts after the repeated process of S2107 in FIG. 8 (S2400).

First, in S2401, the print setting information display unit 402 checks whether all pages are pages designated for printing (i.e., differences have been detected for all pages). If there is a page that is not a page designated for printing (No in S2401), the print setting information display unit 402 proceeds to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2404).

On the other hand, if all pages are designated to be printed (Yes in S2401), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2402.
In step S2402, the print setting information display unit 402 confirms with the user whether to cancel the application (reflection) of the print settings of the previous job performed in step S2106 of Fig. 8. At this time, the print setting information display unit 402 displays a dialog box as shown in Fig. 12 for confirmation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog 1200 displayed on the printing PC.
In the confirmation dialog 1200, a message 1201 is a message for confirming with the user whether to cancel the application (reflection) of the print settings of the previous job that were applied in S2106. If a Yes button 1202 is pressed, the print settings of the previous job that were applied in S2106 are canceled, and the original print settings are restored. If a No button 1203 is pressed, the print settings of the previous job that were applied in S2106 are not canceled.

Returning now to the description of the flowchart in FIG.
In S2402 above, if it is confirmed that the application (reflection) of the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 is to be canceled (Yes in S2402), the print setting information display unit 402 cancels the application (reflection) of the settings of the previous job performed in S2106 of FIG. 8, restores the print settings of the print document, and proceeds to S2111 of FIG. 8 (S2404).

On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the application (reflection) of the print settings of the previous job is not to be canceled (No in S2402), the print setting information display unit 402 proceeds to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2404).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to handle a case where the file name of a print document happens to match the history information 502 .
The present embodiment may be combined with the configuration of the second or third embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment
If binding processing such as stapling or bookbinding is set in the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 of Fig. 8, there are two possible cases: printing all pages and then binding, or canceling the binding setting and printing only the corrected or added pages. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a configuration in which the user can select between these will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the printing PC 102 of the fifth embodiment, and only the differences from FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment are shown here.
As shown in FIG. 13, the process of this flowchart starts after the repeated process of S2107 in FIG. 8 (S2500).

First, in S2501, the print setting information display unit 402 checks whether binding processing such as stapling or bookbinding is set in the print settings applied in S2106 of FIG. 8. If binding processing is not set (No in S2501), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2111 of FIG. 8 (S2505).

On the other hand, if binding processing is set (Yes in S2501), the print setting information display unit 402 advances the process to S2502.
In step S2502, the print setting information display unit 402 confirms with the user whether to cancel the binding process setting from the print settings of the print document applied in step S2106 of Fig. 8. At this time, the print setting information display unit 402 displays a dialog box as shown in Fig. 14 for confirmation.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog 1400 displayed on the printing PC.
In the confirmation dialog 1400, a message 1401 is a message for confirming with the user whether to cancel the binding process setting from the print settings applied in step S2106 of Fig. 8. When a Yes button 1402 is pressed, the binding process setting is canceled from the print settings of the print document. When a No button 1403 is pressed, all pages of the print document are specified as print pages.

Returning now to the explanation of the flowchart in FIG.
If it is confirmed in S2502 above that the binding processing setting is to be cancelled (Yes in S2502), the print setting information display unit 402 cancels the binding processing setting from the print settings of the print document applied in S2106 of FIG. 8 (S2503), and proceeds to S2111 of FIG. 8 (S2505).

On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the binding process setting is not to be released (No in S2502), the print setting information display unit 402 determines that this is a case in which all pages are to be printed and bound, specifies all pages of the print document as print pages (S2504), and proceeds to S2111 in FIG. 8 (S2505).

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when reprinting a printout for which binding processing such as stapling or bookbinding has been set, the user can select whether to cancel the binding processing setting and print only the corrected/added pages, or to print all pages and then perform the binding processing.
The present embodiment may be combined with the configurations of the second to fourth embodiments.

Sixth Embodiment
In the sixth embodiment, if the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 in Fig. 8 are set to print multiple pages of a print document on one sheet of paper, such as double-sided printing settings, N in 1 settings (layout settings), booklet printing settings, etc., replacement is performed on a sheet-by-sheet basis during reprinting. Therefore, if the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 in Fig. 8 are set to print multiple pages of a print document on one sheet of paper, the comparison in S2108 in Fig. 8 and the print page designation in S2109 are controlled to be performed on a page-by-page basis.

Conversely, if the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 of FIG. 8 are set to split and print one page of the print document onto multiple sheets of paper, such as split/poster print settings, replacement will be performed on a sheet-by-sheet basis when reprinting. Therefore, if the print settings of the previous job applied in S2106 of FIG. 8 are set to split and print one page of the print document onto multiple sheets of paper, the comparison in S2108 of FIG. 8 and the print page designation in S2109 are controlled to be performed in the range that will be printed on one sheet of paper within the page, rather than in units of pages of the print document. In this case, a print job is generated so that the images in each range specified in this way for the print pages are each printed on one sheet of paper.

As described above, even when reprinting when the settings are set to print multiple pages of a print document on one sheet of paper, such as double-sided printing settings, N-in-1 settings (layout settings), booklet printing settings, etc., the print pages can be specified without error.
Furthermore, even when reprinting in a case where a setting is made to split and print one page of a print document onto a plurality of sheets of paper, such as a division/poster printing setting, the print pages can be specified without error.

Seventh Embodiment
In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which a print job is generated in the printing PC 102, but the functions of the printing PC 102 (400 to 405 in FIG. 4) may also be provided as a service provided via a network.
For example, the above functions may be provided as a cloud service by a server having the functions 400 to 405 in Fig. 4. In this case, a user accesses the URL of the above service from a terminal such as a PC, tablet terminal, or smartphone via, for example, a web browser, and receives the service.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned embodiments without installing a special application on the user terminal.

As described above, according to each embodiment, when reprinting due to corrections or additions to a print document, it is possible to reduce the effort required to reflect print settings when reprinting and to prevent setting errors. In addition, it is possible to prevent printing of pages that do not need to be printed. Therefore, usability during reprinting can be improved significantly.

It goes without saying that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to those described above, and the data may have various configurations and contents depending on the application and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be embodied, for example, as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of multiple devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.
Furthermore, any combination of the above embodiments is also included in the present invention.

Other embodiments
The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.
Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments and their modifications.

The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods.
(Configuration 1)
An information processing apparatus for generating a print job,
a management means for managing past print jobs as a print history;
a specifying means for controlling, in response to a print document being specified, to specify, as a previous print job, a past print job that printed a document corresponding to the print document from the print history;
a reflecting unit that controls the print settings of the specified previous job to be reflected in the print settings of the print document;
a designation means for comparing the print document with a document printed in a previous job, and controlling the designation of pages of the print document in which a difference between the print document and the document printed in the previous job has been detected as a print page;
13. An information processing device comprising:
(Configuration 2)
2. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the specifying means specifies a document corresponding to the print document on the basis of a file name.
(Configuration 3)
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specifying means specifies the document corresponding to the print document based on a match in file name excluding a character string related to a date and a character string related to a version.
(Configuration 4)
The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the designation means controls so as to designate all pages of the print document as print pages if a certain period of time has passed since the previous job was executed.
(Configuration 5)
5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the designation means, when no difference is detected for all pages in the comparison, designates all pages of the print document as print pages.
(Configuration 6)
a confirmation means for confirming with a user whether or not to cancel the reflected print settings when differences are detected for all pages in the comparison;
The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that when the confirmation means confirms that the reflected print settings are to be cancelled, the reflection means controls to cancel the reflected print settings.
(Configuration 7)
An information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a reduction means for controlling the reduction of pages of the print document whose page size exceeds the print range based on the reflected print settings based on the print range.
(Configuration 8)
The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that, when the reflected print settings are set to print multiple pages on one sheet of paper, the designation means performs the comparison and designates the print pages in units of pages printed on the one sheet of paper.
(Configuration 9)
The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that when the reflected print settings are set to divide one page and print it onto multiple sheets of paper, the designation means performs the comparison and designates the print pages in units of images printed on one sheet of paper.
(Configuration 10)
The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the designation means controls the designation of all pages of the print document as print pages when binding processing is set in the reflected print settings.
(Configuration 11)
a selection means for allowing a user to select whether to cancel the binding setting or to print all pages and then perform the binding process when the binding process is set in the reflected print setting,
An information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that when it is selected to cancel the binding processing setting, the reflection means cancels the binding processing setting from the reflected print settings, and when it is selected to print all of the pages and perform the binding processing, the designation means designates all pages of the print document as print pages.
(Configuration 12)
A providing means for providing an operation screen,
An information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that, in response to a drag-and-drop operation of a file being performed on the operation screen, it is determined that a document corresponding to the file has been designated as a print document.
(Configuration 13)
13. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the identifying means, the reflecting means, and the designating means are provided as a service via a network.
(Method 1)
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus that generates a print job and manages past print jobs as a print history, comprising the steps of:
a specifying step of controlling to specify, in response to the designation of a print document, a past print job that printed a document corresponding to the print document as a previous print job from the print history;
a reflecting step of controlling so that the print settings of the specified previous job are reflected in the print settings of the print document;
a designation step of comparing the print document with a document printed in a previous job, and controlling to designate, as a print page, a page among the pages of the print document in which a difference between the print document and the document printed in the previous job has been detected;
13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of:
(Program 1)
A program for causing a computer to function as any one of the means described in any one of configurations 1 to 12.

100, 101 Image output device 102 Printing PC
103 Network

Claims (15)

An information processing apparatus for generating a print job,
a management means for managing past print jobs as a print history;
a specifying means for controlling, in response to a print document being specified, to specify, as a previous print job, a past print job that printed a document corresponding to the print document from the print history;
a reflecting unit that controls the print settings of the specified previous job to be reflected in the print settings of the print document;
a designation means for comparing the print document with a document printed in a previous job, and controlling the designation of pages of the print document in which a difference between the print document and the document printed in the previous job has been detected as a print page;
13. An information processing device comprising: The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification means identifies the document corresponding to the print document based on a file name. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the identification means identifies the document corresponding to the print document by matching the file name excluding a character string related to the date and a character string related to the version. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the designation means controls to designate all pages of the print document as print pages if a certain period of time has passed since the previous job was executed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the designation means designates all pages of the print document as print pages if no differences are detected for all pages in the comparison. a confirmation means for confirming with a user whether or not to cancel the reflected print settings when differences are detected for all pages in the comparison;
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the confirmation means confirms that the reflected print settings are to be canceled, the reflection means controls to cancel the reflected print settings. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a reduction means for controlling the reduction of pages of the print document whose page size exceeds the print range based on the reflected print settings based on the print range. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the reflected print settings are set to print multiple pages on one sheet of paper, the designation means performs the comparison and designates the print pages in units of pages printed on the one sheet of paper. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the reflected print settings are set to split one page onto multiple sheets of paper for printing, the designation means performs the comparison and designates the print pages in units of images printed on one sheet of paper. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the designation means controls to designate all pages of the print document as print pages when binding processing is set in the reflected print settings. a selection means for allowing a user to select whether to cancel the binding setting or to print all pages and then perform the binding process when the binding process is set in the reflected print setting,
An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when it is selected to cancel the binding processing setting, the reflection means cancels the binding processing setting from the reflected print settings, and when it is selected to print all of the pages and perform the binding processing, the designation means designates all of the pages of the print document as print pages. A providing means for providing an operation screen,
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in response to a drag-and-drop operation of a file being performed on the operation screen, it is determined that a document corresponding to the file has been designated as a print document. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the identification means, the reflection means, and the designation means are provided as a service via a network. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus that generates a print job and manages past print jobs as a print history, comprising the steps of:
a specifying step of controlling to specify, in response to the designation of a print document, a past print job that printed a document corresponding to the print document as a previous print job from the print history;
a reflecting step of controlling so that the print settings of the specified previous job are reflected in the print settings of the print document;
a designation step of comparing the print document with a document printed in a previous job, and controlling to designate, as a print page, a page among each page of the print document in which a difference between the print document and the document printed in the previous job has been detected;
13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of: A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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