JP7524585B2 - Program, information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for converting content data into print data.

Patent Document 1 describes an information processing device in which the OS has CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) as a print management system. In such an information processing device, the OS has a filter that converts content data into a data format that can be processed by a printer, and the information processing device outputs the data converted by the filter to the printer.

JP 2020-1298 A

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which an information processing device causes a printer to print print data. In recent years, the functions required of information processing devices and printers have become more diverse, and the functions provided by information processing devices and printers do not easily correspond to each other. For example, there is a concern that the user will not be able to cause the printer to print content data prepared by an application as desired.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to enable an information processing device that converts content data into print data to output the print data appropriately to a printer.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an extension program executable by a computer of an information processing device, in which a print program and an application running on an OS run on the information processing device, the application designates a designated filter and instructs the print program running on the OS to print content data, the designated filter is a filter for converting content data into print data, and the print program has a filter, the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the designated filter designated by the application to convert content data instructed to be printed by the application into print data, and the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the extension program when the extension program is designated as the designated filter. When a conversion instruction is received from the print program running on the OS based on an instruction to print content data by the application, the computer is caused to execute a print data acquisition process for converting the content data into print data using the filter provided in the print program running on the OS, and acquiring the print data output from the filter provided in the print program running on the OS, and an output process for outputting the print data to be printed by a printer.

In the above configuration, the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the specified filter to convert content data into print data based on the filter specification from the application. When the application specifies this program and instructs the OS to print content data, this program issues a conversion instruction to the filter provided in the print program running on the OS to convert the content data into print data. As a result, in converting the content data specified by this program into print data, the print data can be output to the printer using the filter provided in the print program running on the OS.

In the present invention, an information processing device that converts content data into print data can properly output the print data to a printer.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system. Configuration diagram of information processing device FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining file data. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining job data JD. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating job data. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the PPD process executed in step 11 of FIG. 5 . FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining file data. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by processes A and B and a specific filter. FIG. 11 is a view for explaining file data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a view for explaining file data according to the third embodiment.

First Embodiment
The printing system according to this embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 is composed of an information processing device 100 and printers 200, 201, and 202. The information processing device 100 and the printers 200 to 202 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The printers 200 to 202 are devices that receive job data together with a print instruction from the information processing device 100 and print on a sheet. Specifically, the printers 200 to 202 are printers that can print print data written in PCL (short for Printer Control Language), the printers 200 to 201 are color printers, and the printer 202 is a monochrome printer. In this embodiment, the printers 200 to 202 are inkjet printers that form an image on a sheet by ejecting ink from a head (not shown) toward the sheet. The printers 200 to 202 may be printers of other types.

The information processing device 100 is a device capable of executing various programs, such as a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer. The information processing device 100 includes a controller 10, a bus 15, a display 16, a user interface 17 (hereinafter referred to as a user IF), and a communication interface 18 (hereinafter referred to as a communication IF). The controller 10, the display 16, the user IF 17, and the communication IF 18 are connected to the bus 15 and are capable of communicating with each other.

The controller 10 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and a non-volatile memory 14. The ROM 12 stores programs and the like for operating the information processing device 100. The RAM 13 is used as a working area when various processes are executed, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The non-volatile memory 14 is, for example, a HDD or flash memory, and stores various programs and data. The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the ROM 12 or the non-volatile memory 14, and based on instructions from the user.

The display 16 displays images. The user IF 17 is an interface that accepts operations by the user. The user IF 17 is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The communication IF 18 is an interface that controls communication with the printer 200. The communication IF 18 includes a wired IF for communication between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 via a wire, and a wireless IF for communication between the information processing device 100 and the printer 200 wirelessly. The communication IF may also include hardware for communicating with an external device connected via a network (not shown).

The non-volatile memory 14 stores the OS 20 and the application program 40 as programs executable by the CPU 11. In the following description, the CPU 11 executing the programs may be described simply by the program name. For example, the description "OS 20" is used to mean "CPU 11 executing OS 20". In this embodiment, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program is mainly shown. That is, the processing of "judging", "extracting", "selecting", "calculating", "deciding", "identifying", "obtaining", "accepting", "controlling" and the like in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 11. Note that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not require a request. In other words, the processing of receiving data without the CPU 11 requesting it is also included in the concept of "CPU 11 obtaining data". In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification.

The application program 40 creates the content data CD. The application program 40 is an image editing program that creates and edits images on the screen displayed on the display 16. Hereinafter, the application program will be referred to as AP40. The content data CD includes images and text. By using AP40, for example, the user can select PPD file data in which printing parameters are described, thereby specifying a printer to print the content data CD and various printing parameters to be used when printing. The printing parameters include printing parameters that specify printing options when the content data CD is printed by the printer. AP40 sends the content data CD and the printing parameters to OS20 along with a print instruction.

A possible printing option specified by AP40 is, for example, a printing option that commands secure printing. Secure printing is a printing method in which AP40 specifies user information that identifies a user and job information that identifies a print job as printing parameters and commands printer 200 to print. Then, job data JD containing print data PD, user information, and job information is sent from information processing device 100 to printer 200, and printer 200 that receives job data JD prints the print data PD on the condition that it has accepted input of a password corresponding to the user information.

The OS 20 is a program that controls the operation of the information processing device 100. In this embodiment, the OS 20 is a UNIX (registered trademark) type OS. The OS 20 has a CUPS 25 and a communication control program 26. The CUPS 25 is a program for managing printing executed in the printing system 1. The CUPS 25 generates job data JD for causing the printer to print the content data CD. The job data JD includes print data PD obtained by converting an image included in the content data CD into a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 200, and a PDL command that specifies print options from the AP 40 to the printer 200. The communication control program 26 is a program that controls communication with the outside via the communication IF 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, CUPS25 includes standard filters SRIP1, SRIP2, and a vendor filter VRIP. Standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 are standard filters of OS20. Standard filter SRIP1 is a filter that converts content data CD into print data PD in PCL color format. Standard filter SRIP2 is a program that converts content data CD into print data PD in PCL monochrome format. Content data CD is data in PS (short for PostScript) format or PDF (Portable Document Format) format. Note that CUPS25 may include a standard filter corresponding to a printer capable of printing print data written in PS format, in addition to standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2. This standard filter is a standard filter that converts content data CD in PDF format into print data PD in PS format. The vendor filter VRIP is a filter that is compatible only with a specific printer (e.g., printer 200 and printers in the same series as printer 200). The vendor filter VRIP is, for example, a filter provided by the vendor of printer 200. In this embodiment, the vendor filter VRIP is an extension program.

The OS 20 has file data PPD corresponding to each of the printers 200, 201, and 202. The file data PPD is file data in the PPD (short for Postscript Printer Description) format, and describes the settings when the printer prints. Specifically, the file data PPD is file data describing information that identifies the printer and print parameters corresponding to print options that can be executed by the identified printer. In this embodiment, the file data PPD1 is file data corresponding to the color PCL printer 200, the file data PPD2 is file data corresponding to the color PCL printer 201, and the file data PPD3 is file data corresponding to the monochrome PCL printer 202. In the following, when the file data PPD is referred to, it means a general term for the file data PPD1 to PPD3, and when the file data PPD is meant individually, the identifiers "1, 2, 3" are added to the end. The file data PPD in this embodiment is described according to a grammar extended for CUPS. In addition, the specific tag TAG, label LAB, and associated values, which will be described later, are written in comment format so as not to deviate from the grammar of the PPD.

Figure 3 is an example of file data PPD. It is composed of multiple codes. The code "*Product: "AAPrinter"" indicates that the printer name of the printer corresponding to the file data PPD is "AA Printer". The code "*cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 100 wrapper-rip"" will be described later. Also, Figures 7, 9, and 10 are diagrams illustrating another example of file data PPD, omitting lines common to Figure 3. The lines common to Figures 3, 7, 9, and 10 are from the top line of Figure 3 to "*cpsFilter: "wrapper-rip"".

The standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 are included in the OS 20 together with the file data PPD2 and PPD3, and are installed when the OS 20 is installed on the information processing device 100. If the AP 40, the vendor filter VRIP, and the file data PPD1 are also included in the OS 20, the AP 40, the vendor filter VRIP, and the file data PPD1 are also installed on the information processing device 100 when the OS 20 is installed. In addition, the AP 40, the vendor filter VRIP, and the file data PPD1 are stored in a store server, and may be installed at a time separate from the installation of the OS 20. The OS 20, the vendor filter VRIP, the AP 40, and the file data PPD may be downloaded as upgrade versions from a server and installed as an upgrade.

The communication control program 26 is a program that transmits the job data JD output by the CUPS 25 to the printer 200 via the communication IF 18. This allows the OS 20 to output a print instruction and the job data JD to the printer specified by the AP 40 via the communication IF 18.

In the printing system 1 configured as above, when AP40 instructs OS20 to print the content data CD, it selects file data PPD corresponding to the specified printer and specifies the selected file data PPD to OS20. Hereinafter, the file data PPD selected by AP40 when printing the content data CD is also referred to as selected file data. When AP40 specifies printer 201 and instructs OS20 to print the content data CD, it specifies file data PPD2 to OS20 as the selected file data. On the other hand, when AP40 specifies printer 200 as the printer to print the content data CD, it selects file data PPD1 as the selected file data and specifies file data PPD1 to OS20.

The OS 20 refers to the file data PPD and instructs the specified filter to convert the content data CD into print data PD based on the information described in the file data PPD. In the file data PPD shown in FIG. 3, the code "*cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 100 wrapper-rip"" is described in the file data PPD1, which indicates that the vendor filter VRIP is specified when printing the content data CD in PS format. Instead of "wrapper-rip", "standard-rip1" is described in the file data PPD2, and "standard-rip2" is described in the file data PPD3, which indicates that the standard filter SRIP1 or standard filter SRIP2 is specified, respectively. Note that the file data PPD can also include a description that specifies the vendor filter VRIP when printing the content data CD in PDF format. In this case, "vnd.cups-postscript 100" can be replaced with "vnd.cups-pdf 0". Also, the file data PPD may contain separate codes indicating the filter specified when printing the PDF content data CD and the filter specified when printing the PS content data CD.

Figure 4 shows the structure of job data JD output from CUPS25. Job data JD includes a header area H1, a data area H2, and a footer area H3. Header area H1 and footer area H3 are areas where PJL commands are written. Data area H2 is an area written by PCL indicating print data PD.

Next, the procedure of the process of generating job data JD by the vendor filter VRIP will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 5. The explanation will be mainly given by taking as an example the case where AP 40 selects file data PPD1. That is, the process is executed by CPU 11 when AP 40 instructs OS 20 to print content data CD specifying printer 200, and OS 20 instructs vendor filter VRIP to convert content data CD to print data PD by referring to file data PPD1. Hereinafter, the explanation will be given in a style that omits CPU 11, which is the subject of the process. Note that if AP 40 selects file data PPD2 or PPD3, OS 20 does not instruct vendor filter VRIP, and therefore the flowchart in FIG. 5 is not executed. OS 20 instructs the standard filter, which generates job data JD and outputs it to printer 201 or 202.

In step 10 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as "S"), the print parameters (hereinafter, also referred to as "initial parameters") transferred from CUPS25 to the vendor filter VRIP together with the instruction to convert the content data CD to the print data PD are stored. The initial parameters are parameters acquired by CUPS25 when the AP40 instructs the printing of the content data CD. The initial parameters may be transferred from AP40 to CUPS25, or may be acquired by CUPS25 from OS20. When the initial parameters are transferred via the vendor filter VRIP, the initial parameters may be replaced according to the description in the file data PPD described later (hereinafter, the replaced print parameters are also referred to as "updated parameters"). In this embodiment, the initial parameters and updated parameters are managed as argv[n]. n is an identifier indicating which print parameter the parameter belongs to. For example, argv[1] is job information that identifies the content data CD. argv[2] is user information that identifies the logged-in user. argv[3] is the job name indicating the name of the content data CD. argv[4] is the number of copies to print. argv[5] is other print options. Note that AP40 may input the description parameters to the vendor filter VRIP using a method other than the method for selecting the file data PPD. For example, the description parameters may be written in a memory area accessed by the vendor filter VRIP.

In S11, PPD processing is performed to interpret the file data PPD. The PPD processing also includes processing to identify a standard filter that converts the content data CD into print data PD. Figure 6 is a flowchart that explains the detailed steps of the PPD processing in S11.

In S31 of FIG. 6, one line of code is read from the file data PPD1. In S32, it is determined whether or not the code read in S31 contains a specific tag TAG. The specific tag TAG is information indicating that the code is to be analyzed by the vendor filter VRIP. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the specific tag TAG is "*% wrapper-rip". If a negative judgment is made in S32, the process proceeds to S36, where it is determined whether or not the code currently being read is the final code. If a negative judgment is made in S36, the process returns to S31. In S31, the code to be read is advanced by one line, and the code is read. If a specific tag TAG is included in the code and a positive judgment is made in S32, the process proceeds to S33.

In S33, the label LAB written next to the specific tag TAG is read from the currently read code. The label LAB is information for identifying the target process. Specifically, if the label LAB is "subfilter", this indicates that the target process is a filter target process. If the label LAB is "argv[n]", this indicates that the process extracts description parameters for replacing initial parameters with update parameters from the file data PPD and temporarily stores them. In S34, the target process is identified from the label LAB read in S33.

In S35, a change process is executed for the target process identified in S34. The change process may be written directly as "(target) = (change value)" or written by a script. A script SC is used when changing the process depending on conditions. The script SC is enclosed in parentheses. Figure 7 shows a script SC when the label LAB is "subfilter". That is, Figure 7 shows a script SC1 for the specified process of the filter.

First, for comparison, an example of extracting specific information from file data PPD2 with the configuration shown in Figure 3 will be described. In this case, the target process described next to the label LAB "subfilter" is "subfilter=standard-rip1." In other words, the specific information that identifies the filter that converts content data CD into print data PD is "standard-rip1," which indicates the standard filter SRIP1. In other words, in file data PPD2 shown in Figure 3, the standard filter to be specified is uniquely identified.

7, either "standard-rip1" or "standard-rip2", which is information for identifying a standard filter, is extracted as specific information from the file data PPD1 according to conditions. In other words, the script SC1 is a script that, if the standard filter SRIP1 for color exists, selects the standard filter SRIP1 to output print data PD in PCL color format, and, if the standard filter SRIP1 does not exist, selects the standard filter SRIP2 for monochrome. "standard-rip2" is specific information for identifying the standard filter SRIP2. By executing the script SC1, the vendor filter VRIP extracts "standard-rip1" as specific information and temporarily stores it if the OS 20 has the standard filter SRIP1. On the other hand, if the OS 20 does not have the standard filter SRIP1, extracts "standard-rip2" as specific information and temporarily stores it.
The concept that the OS 20 is provided with the standard filter SRIP1 may include the concept that the standard filter SRIP1 is stored in the non-volatile memory 14.

In addition, if the specific tag TAG is "*% wrapper-rip" and the label LAB is "arg5", the script SC is executed to extract from the file data PPD1 the description parameters for updating the initial parameter argv[5] to the updated parameter, and temporarily store them. For example, by executing the script SC that indicates what description parameters should be used to replace the initial parameter argv[5] that specifies the print mode (color or monochrome), argv[5] is updated using the description parameters, becoming the updated parameter argv[5].

In addition to the above-mentioned processing, when the specific TAB is "*OpenUI" and the label LAB is "HOLDKEY", the script SC is executed to extract from the file data PPD a description parameter indicating that HOLDKEY processing is to be executed to update the initial parameter argv[5], which specifies the execution of secure printing, to an updated parameter, and temporarily store it. In the HOLDKEY processing, a screen for entering a password is displayed on the display 16 of the information processing device 100, and the password input is accepted via the user IF 17. The accepted password is then added to the initial parameter argv[5] as HOLDKEY=(entered password), thereby making it an updated parameter.

In addition, when the specific TAB is "*OpenUI" and the label LAB is "OUTBIN", the script SC is executed to extract and temporarily store a description parameter indicating that an OUTBIN process is to be executed to update the initial parameter argv[5] that specifies the output tray to an updated parameter. In this OUTBIN process, a screen for selecting the output tray is displayed on the display 16 of the information processing device 100, the selection of the output tray is accepted via the user IF 17, and information indicating the selected output tray is added to the initial parameter argv[5] as HOLDKEY=(selected tray) to make it an updated parameter.

When S35 ends, the process proceeds to S36, and if the code currently being read is the final code in the file data PPD, the process proceeds to S12 in FIG. 5. Note that if the printer specified by AP40 is a printer that prints using content data CD, the corresponding file data PPD does not have a description for specifying a filter. In this embodiment, S34 is an example of an extraction process, and S35 is an example of a specific process. It can also be said that the extraction process and the specific process are not strictly separate processes. In other words, the coordinated processes from S32 to S35 can be said to be an example of the extraction process and the specific process.

Returning to FIG. 5, in S12, it is determined whether a specific filter has been specified by the PPD process in S11. Specifically, it may be determined whether specific information for specifying a standard filter has been stored. If a positive determination is made in S12, that is, if the standard filter SRIP has been specified, the process proceeds to S15. In S15 to S18, a conversion instruction is issued to the standard filter specified as the specific filter to convert the content data CD into print data, and the print data PD output by the standard filter in response to the conversion instruction is obtained. That is, in this embodiment, the content data CD is not converted to print data PD by the vendor filter VRIP, but the vendor filter VRIP specifies one of the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 as the filter that will convert the content data CD into print data PD, and instructs the specified standard filter to perform the conversion. In the following, a case where the standard filter SRIP1 is specified as the specific filter will be described as an example.

In S15, pipes 1 and 2 are created. Pipe 1 and pipe 2 are virtual information paths, with IN1 and OUT1 forming one pair, and IN2 and OUT2 forming another pair. Pipe 1 has an end point of IN1 for sending data out, and an end point of OUT1 for extracting data out. Similarly, pipe 2 has an end point of IN2 for sending data out, and an end point of OUT2 for extracting data out. Specifically, with pipe 1, information set in IN1 can be extracted from OUT1. With pipe 2, information set in IN2 can be extracted from OUT2.

In S16, the process itself is duplicated. A process is a collection of processes that are deployed on RAM 13, and in the following explanation, the parent process that executes S17 and S18 (i.e., the process that performed the duplication) will be referred to as process A, and the child process that executes the process shown in FIG. 8 (i.e., the process generated by duplication) will be referred to as process B.

In process A, in S17, content data CD is set to IN1 of pipe 1. As a result, the content data CD extracted from OUT1 of pipe 1 by process B is converted to print data PD by standard filter SRIP1. In S18, the print data PD output by standard filter SRIP1 is extracted from OUT2 of pipe 2.

The processing in process B will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In S100, OUT1 of pipe 1 is replaced with the standard input of process B. This parameter replacement is performed only if a description is made instructing the replacement of file data PPD. As a result, the content data CD set in IN1 of pipe 1 can be obtained from OUT1 by process B and processed. The filter processes data input from the standard input and outputs it to the standard output, but in S100 and S101, the standard input is OU1. The standard output is replaced with IN2. Therefore, the standard filter SRIP1 inputs the data output from OUT1, that is, the data output to IN1 by process A, and the output is sent to IN2. Also, in S101, IN2 of pipe 2 is replaced with the standard output of process B. As a result, process B can output the print data PD set in IN2 of pipe 2 through OUT2.

In S102, the temporarily stored initial parameter argv[n] is replaced with an updated parameter according to the description parameter temporarily stored in the PPD process in S12. As described above, if the description parameter is a description parameter that updates the initial parameter argv[5], the initial parameter argv[5] is replaced according to the content of the description parameter to become the updated parameter argv[5]. For example, if the description parameter instructs the execution of HOLDKEY processing, the information processing device 100 is made to execute HOLDKEY processing, and a password is added to the initial parameter argv[5]. Also, if the description parameter is for executing OUTBIN processing, the information processing device 100 is made to execute OUTBIN processing, and an output tray is added to the initial parameter argv[5]. As a result, the initial parameter argv[n] is updated as an updated parameter.

In S103, process B is replaced with a specific filter (in this embodiment, the standard filter SRIP1) selected according to the specific information identified in the PPD process (S11 in FIG. 5).

Below, S111-S114 are processes in the standard filter SRIP1 selected in accordance with the specific information in S103. In S111, it is started. In S112, content data CD is obtained from OUT1 of pipe 1. The content data CD obtained from OUT1 of pipe 1 is the content data CD set to IN1 of pipe 1 in S17 of process A. In S113, the content data CD is converted into print data PD described by PCL commands. In S114, the print data PD converted in S113 is set to IN2 of pipe 2. As a result, the print data converted by the specific filter is obtained in S18 of process A via pipe 2.

Returning to FIG. 5, in S19, a PJL command corresponding to the print parameter argv[n] is added to the print data PD. Below, the process in S19 will be explained using the job data JD shown in FIG. 4 as an example. The vendor filter VRIP identifies a header area H1, which is an area to which a PJL command can be added, from the print data PD, and adds the PJL command to the identified header area H1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the vendor filter VRIP adds the top command UEL to the beginning of the header area H1, and adds the PJL command corresponding to the print parameter argv[n] after the UEL. In FIG. 4, "<ESC>%-12345X@PJL" is added as the UEL. The vendor filter VRIP adds the PJL command corresponding to the option specified in the print parameter argv[5] to the header area H1. At this time, if the initial parameter argv[5] has been updated to the updated parameter argv[5] by the processing in S102, the option specified in the updated parameter argv[5] is added as a PJL command.

When secure printing is specified by the application, as shown in FIG. 4, the vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores the print parameter argv[5] for executing secure printing, and adds the PJL command "@PJL SET HOLDKEY="5345"" to the header area H1. "@PJL SET HOLDKEY" is a PJL command that instructs the printer 200 to perform secure printing. The parameter "5345" indicates the password required for secure printing, and is a parameter added to the initial parameter argv[5] by executing the HOLDKEY process in the replacement process in S102.

The vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores the print parameter argv[5] that specifies the output destination tray of the printer 200, and adds the PJL command "@PJL SET OUTBIN="AUTO"" to the header area H1. "@PJL SET OUTBIN" is a PJL command that specifies the output destination tray for the printer 200. The parameter ""AUTO"" is a parameter that specifies the output destination tray, and is a parameter that was added to the initial parameter argv[5] by executing the OUTBIN process in S102.

In addition, the vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores the print parameter argv[5] that specifies the print mode of the printer 200, and adds the PJL command "@PJL OPTION="modo=Color"" to the header area H1. The parameter "mode=Color" is the parameter that the vendor filter VRIP replaced in S102 with the initial parameter [5] "print-mode=color". The vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores the print parameter argv[5] that specifies the character code of the print data PD, and adds the PJL command "@PJL SET STRINGCODESET="UTF8"" to the header area H1. "@PJL SET STRINGCODESET="UTF8"" is a PJL command that specifies the character code of the print data PD to the printer 200.

In this way, the vendor filter VRIP can make the printer 200 execute, for example, secure printing by adding a PJL command to the print data PD. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 do not support secure printing. That is, the standard filters do not support print parameters for secure printing. In other words, the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 are filters that cannot add PJL commands corresponding to secure printing to the print data PD. In addition, the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 do not support print parameters such as the tray designation of the output destination, the print mode designation, and the character code designation of the print data. In this embodiment, the print parameter argv[5] corresponding to secure printing, the tray designation of the output destination, the print mode designation, and the character code designation of the print data is an example of a print parameter of a print option that is not supported by the standard filter. Note that the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2 may add PJL commands to the print data PD and output it according to the description of the file data PPD for the print options supported by the standard filters. In this case, the first UEL and the last "EOJ NAME" code are deleted from the print data PD output from the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2, and then processing in S19 is performed.

Furthermore, if the file data PPD does not contain a specific tag TAG, the vendor filter VRIP does not add PJL commands to the print data PD for print options that are not supported by the standard filter. In other words, if the description of the print option in the file data PPD is only a description of the print option that is supported by the standard filter, only the PJL added by the standard filter for the print option may be added to the print data PD.

In the example of Figure 4, the vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores the print parameter argv[5] that specifies that the print data PD is PCL data, and adds the PJL command "@PJL SET ENTER LANGUAGE=PCL" to the header area H1. The parameter "PCL" specified by "@PJL SET ENTER LANGUAGE" is the data format included in the initial parameter argv[5]. The vendor filter VRIP adds the PJL command "@PJL SET LOGINUSER="AAA"" that specifies the user information corresponding to the print parameter argv[2], and the PJL command "@PJL JOB NAME="Test Page"" that specifies the job information corresponding to the print parameter argv[3] to the header area H1. The parameter "AAA" specified by "@PJL SET LOGINUSER" indicates user information and is the initial parameter argv[2], or the user name indicating the user corresponding to the initial parameter argv[2]. The print parameter "CCC" specified by "@PJL JOB NAME" is the job name included in the initial parameter argv[3]. The vendor filter VRIP adds the PJL command "@PJL SET JOBTIME="BBB"" which specifies the system time. The print parameter "BBB" specified by "@PJL SET JOBTIME" indicates the transmission time of the job data JD, and is the system time obtained from the OS 20.

Returning to FIG. 5, in S20, an output process is performed to output the job data JD created in S19 to the printer 200 for printing. Specifically, the vendor filter VRIP instructs the communication control program 26 to output the job data JD. The communication control program 26 controls the communication IF 18 to send the job data JD to the printer 200.

On the other hand, returning to S12, if the standard filter SRIP is not specified in the file data PPD1, S12 is judged as negative and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, the content data CD output from the AP 40 is output as is. In S14, PJL commands are embedded in the header area H1 and footer area H3 of the content data CD output in S13. Even in this case, if the vendor filter VRIP temporarily stores print parameters argv[5] corresponding to secure printing, output tray designation, print mode designation, and print data character code designation, it adds PJL commands corresponding to each print parameter to the header area H1. In S20, output processing is performed to output the content data CD to which the PJL commands have been added so that the printer 200 can output the content data CD. When S20 is completed, the process of FIG. 5 is completed. Normally, the CUPS 25 can select the data format to be input to the filter by the PPD. If the input data format is set to PS by the PPD, PS data to which PJL for secure printing has been disabled can be obtained. This data can be printed using a PS printer that supports secure printing.

In this embodiment, the processes from S10 to S19 executed by the CPU 11 are an example of a print data acquisition process and a print data acquisition section, and S20 is an example of an output process and an output section. The processes from S15 to S17 executed by the CPU 11 are an example of an instruction process, and S18 is an example of an acquisition process. The process of S10 executed by the CPU 11 is an example of a parameter acquisition process, and S19 is an example of an additional process.

The present embodiment described above can provide the following advantages.
The OS 20 issues a conversion instruction to the designated filter to convert the content data CD instructed to be printed by the AP 40 into print data PD, and when the vendor filter VRIP is designated as the designated filter by the AP 20, the OS 20 issues the conversion instruction to the designated filter. When the CPU 11 receives a conversion instruction from the OS 20 based on an instruction to print the content data CD by the AP 40, the CPU 11 causes the standard filter to convert the content data CD into print data PD, acquires the print data PD output from the standard filter, and outputs the print data PD to the printer 200 to print it. As a result, in converting the content data CD instructed to use the vendor filter VRIP into print data PD, the print data PD can be converted using the standard filter, and the print data can be output to the printer appropriately.

- The CPU 11 extracts specific information by analyzing the file data PPD, and identifies the standard filter, which is the specific filter, based on the extracted specific information. The CPU 11 instructs the specific filter to convert the content data CD into print data PD, and acquires the print data PD output by the specific filter. When the standard filter is identified as the specific filter, the CPU 11 has the standard filter convert the content data CD into print data PD, and acquires the print data PD output by the standard filter. This makes it possible to convert the print data PD using the standard filter.

- When the CPU 11 extracts specific information for identifying a standard filter from among the multiple standard filters provided by the OS 20 as a specific filter from the selected file data PPD, the CPU 11 identifies the specific filter from among the multiple standard filters based on the specific information. This makes it possible to uniquely identify the specific filter even if the OS 20 has multiple standard files.

- The CPU 11 acquires the print parameters output from the AP 40, and if the acquired print parameters include a print option that is not supported by the specific filter, it adds a PJL command to the print data PD output from the specific filter to cause the printer to execute the print option that is not supported by the specific filter. As a result, even if the print parameters output from the AP 40 include a print option that is not supported by the specific filter, a PJL command to cause the printer to execute the print option is added to the print data PD output from the specific filter. As a result, when the content data CD is converted to print data PD using the standard filter, the print option that is not supported by the standard filter can be applied to the printer's printing.

- The CPU 11 identifies a header area H1 from the print data PD output by the specific filter to which a PJL command that can be interpreted by the printer can be added, and adds the PJL command to the identified header area H1. This makes it possible to match the area to which the PJL command of a print option that is not supported by the standard filter should be added to an area to which a PJL command that can be interpreted by the printer is added.

-If the print parameters specifying secure printing are print parameters that are not compatible with any of the standard filters SRIP1 and SRIP2, the CPU 11 adds a PJL command specifying secure printing to the content data CD, and outputs the content data CD with the PJL command added to the printer. This allows the content data to be output to the printer even if the print option is not compatible with any of the standard filters of the OS 20.

- When printer 200 is a printer that prints based on print data PD, CPU 11 adds a PJL command to print data PD output from a specific filter, specifying a print option that is not supported by the standard filter, and when printer 200 is a printer that prints based on content data CD, CPU 11 adds a PJL command to content data CD, specifying a print option that is not supported by the standard filter. CPU 11 outputs print data PD with the PJL command added, or content data CD with the PJL command added, to the printer. This makes it possible to cause the printer that prints content data CD to execute the print option specified by AP 40.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Note that in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment denote the same parts, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the first embodiment, the file data PPD1 describes specific information that uniquely identifies the standard filter. Instead, in this embodiment, the file data PPD1 describes version information that indicates the version of the standard filter as the specific information.

As shown in FIG. 9, the file data PPD1 describes a script SC2 for extracting specific information. The vendor filter VRIP determines in S32 that the code contains a specific tag TAG "*% wrapper-rip" and, if it determines in S33 that the code contains a label LAB "subfilter", executes the script SC2 in S34. By executing the script SC2, the vendor filter VRIP extracts the version information "ver-gt 1.00" indicating that the version of the standard filter is "Ver. 1.00" as specific information. In S103 of FIG. 8, if the version of the standard filter SRIP1 is "Ver 1.00", the vendor filter VRIP identifies the standard filter SRIP1 as a specific filter. On the other hand, if the version of the standard filter SRIP1 is not "Ver 1.00", it identifies the standard filter SRIP2 as a specific filter. For example, the vendor filter VRIP obtains version information of the standard filter by requesting it from OS20.

In the present embodiment described above, when the CPU 11 extracts version information indicating the version of the standard filter from the file data PPD1 as the specific information, it identifies the standard filter of the version indicated by the version information from among the multiple standard filters as the specific filter. As a result, for example, by setting the version information to the most recent version in the file data PPD, it is possible to preferentially use the most recent version of the standard filters to convert the content data CD into the print data PD.

Third Embodiment
In the third embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Note that in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment denote the same parts, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the first embodiment, the file data PPD1 contains specific information that uniquely identifies the standard filter. Instead, in this embodiment, the file data PPD1 contains user information that indicates the logged-in user as the specific information.

As shown in FIG. 11, the file data PPD1 describes a script SC3 for extracting specific information. The vendor filter VRIP determines in S32 that the code contains a specific tag TAG "*% wrapper-rip", and if it determines in S33 that the code contains a label LAB "subfilter", it executes script SC2 in S34. By executing script SC2, the vendor filter VRIP extracts user information "guest" indicating the logged-in user of the information processing device 100 as specific information. The vendor filter VRIP uses the print parameter argv[2] as the user information. Alternatively, the vendor filter VRIP may request and obtain user information from OS 20. In S103 of FIG. 8, if the logged-in user is a "guest", that is, if a logged-in user has not been specified, the vendor filter VRIP specifies the standard filter SRIP3 for monochrome printing ("monochrome-rip") as the specified filter. On the other hand, if the logged-in user is not a "guest", that is, if a specific user has been specified, the vendor filter VRIP specifies the standard filter SRIP4 for color printing ("color-rip2") as the specified filter. Note that the standard filters SRIP3 and SRIP4 are standard filters for the OS.

In the present embodiment described above, when the CPU 11 extracts user information from the file data PPD as specific information, it identifies, from among a plurality of standard filters, a standard filter corresponding to the user indicated by the user information as the specific filter. This makes it possible to use different standard filters for printing the content data CD depending on the logged-in user of the information processing device 100.

Other Embodiments
There are various modifications of this embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the AP 40 refers to the file data PPD to specify the standard filter SRIP to the OS 20. Alternatively, the AP 40 may specify the standard filter SRIP directly to the OS 20.

-When installing the vendor filter VRIP in the information processing device 100, the OS 20 may rewrite the file data PPD that specifies the standard filter to a PPD that describes printing parameters including the specification of the vendor filter VRIP.

The label LAB "subfilter" in the code written in the file data PPD may be followed by a description that identifies a non-standard filter. When AP40 selects this file data PPD, the vendor filter VRIP may instruct the non-standard filter to convert the content data CD to print data PD.

100...information processing device, 11...CPU, 20...OS, 40...application, SRIP1, SRIP2...standard filter

Claims (16)

An extension program executable by a computer of an information processing device, wherein a print program and an application running on an OS run on the information processing device, the application designates a designated filter and instructs the print program running on the OS to print content data, the designated filter being a filter for converting the content data into print data, the print program being provided with the filter, the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the designated filter designated by the application for converting the content data instructed to be printed by the application into print data, and the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the extension program when the extension program is designated as the designated filter,
The computer includes:
a print data acquisition process for, when receiving the conversion instruction from a print program running on the OS based on an instruction to print the content data by the application, converting the content data into the print data using a filter included in the print program running on the OS, and acquiring the print data output from the filter included in the print program running on the OS;
an output process for outputting the print data to a printer for printing;
An extension program that runs The print data acquisition process includes:
the method includes an extraction process for extracting specific information by analyzing selected file data, a specific process for identifying a specific filter using the specific information, an instruction process for instructing the specific filter to convert content data into print data, and an acquisition process for acquiring the print data output by the specific filter in response to an instruction from the instruction process, wherein the selected file data is file data selected by the application when instructing a print program running on the OS to print the content data, the selected file data includes information for designating the extension program as the designated filter for the print program running on the OS, the selected file data includes the specific information, and the specific information is information used by the extension program to identify the specific filter,
In the instruction process,
When a filter included in a print program running on the OS is identified as the specific filter by the identification process, the content data is converted into the print data by the filter included in the print program running on the OS;
In the acquisition process,
The extension program according to claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring the print data output by a filter included in a print program that runs on the OS and is instructed by the instruction process. An extension program executable by a computer of an information processing device, wherein a print program and an application running on an OS run on the information processing device, the application designates print parameters and instructs the print program to print content data, the print program running on the OS includes a filter, and issues a conversion instruction to the filter for converting the content data instructed to be printed by the application into print data,
The computer includes:
a print data acquisition process for, when the conversion instruction is received from a print program running on the OS based on an instruction by the application to print the content data specifying the print parameters that are not supported by a filter provided in the print program running on the OS, converting the content data into the print data using a filter provided in the print program running on the OS and acquiring the print data output from the filter provided in the print program running on the OS;
an output process for outputting the print data to a printer for printing;
An extension program that runs the application instructs a print program running on the OS to print the content data by specifying file data including information specifying the print parameters;
In the print data acquisition process,
the method includes an extraction process for extracting specific information by analyzing selected file data, a specific process for identifying a specific filter using the specific information, an instruction process for instructing the specific filter to convert the content data into the print data, and an acquisition process for acquiring the print data output by the specific filter in response to an instruction from the instruction process, wherein the selected file data is the file data selected when the application instructs a print program running on the OS to print the content data, the selected file data includes information for specifying the print parameters for the print program running on the OS, and the selected file data includes the specific information, and the specific information is information used by the extension program to identify the specific filter,
In the instruction process,
When a filter included in a print program running on the OS is identified as the specific filter by the identification process, the content data is converted into the print data by the filter included in the print program running on the OS;
In the acquisition process,
The extension program according to claim 3 , further comprising: acquiring print data output by a filter included in a print program that runs on the OS and is instructed by the instruction process. The print program that runs on the OS includes a plurality of standard filters that the print program that runs on the OS includes,
An expansion program as described in claim 2 or 4, wherein, in the extraction process, when information for identifying which of the plurality of standard filters is to be used to convert the content data into print data is extracted as the specific information from the selected file data, the identification process identifies, based on the specific information extracted by the extraction process, which of the plurality of standard filters is to be used as the specific filter to convert the content data into print data. An extension program as described in claim 5, wherein, in the extraction process, when identification information of a standard filter provided by a printing program running on the OS is extracted from the selected file data as the specific information, the identification process identifies, from among the multiple standard filters, the standard filter provided by the printing program running on the OS indicated by the identification information as the specific filter. An extension program as described in claim 5, wherein, in the extraction process, when version information indicating the version of a standard filter provided by a printing program running on the OS is extracted from the selected file data as the specific information, the identification process identifies, from among the multiple standard filters, a standard filter provided by a printing program running on the OS whose version is indicated by the version information as the specific filter. In the extraction process, when user information indicating a login user is extracted from the selected file data as the specific information,
6. The expansion program according to claim 5, wherein in the identification process, a standard filter included in a print program that runs on the OS and that corresponds to a user indicated by the user information is identified as the identified filter from among the plurality of standard filters. The computer includes:
Executing a parameter acquisition process to acquire print parameters designated by the application;
The expansion program according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the print data acquisition process includes an additional process of adding an additional command, which is command data for causing a printer to execute the print option that is not supported by the specific filter, to the print data output from the specific filter when the acquired print parameters include a print option that is not supported by the specific filter. The expansion program according to claim 9, wherein the addition process identifies an area in the print data output by the specific filter to which command data that can be interpreted by the printer can be added, and adds the additional command to the identified area. In the addition process, if the print parameters are parameters that are not compatible with filters included in all print programs that run on the OS, the addition command is added to the content data;
11. The expansion program according to claim 9, wherein in the output process, the content data to which the additional command has been added is output to a printer. In the additional processing,
When the printer to which the print data is output is a printer that performs printing based on the print data, the additional command is added to the print data output from the specific filter;
When the printer to which the print data is to be output is a printer that performs printing based on the content data, the additional command is added to the content data;
11. The expansion program according to claim 9, wherein in the output process, the print data to which the additional command has been added or the content data to which the additional command has been added is output to a printer. In the additional processing,
When the printer to which the print data is output specifies the filter, the additional command is added to the print data output from the specified filter;
When the printer to which the print data is to be output does not specify the filter, the additional command is added to the content data;
11. The expansion program according to claim 9, wherein in the output process, the print data to which the additional command has been added or the content data to which the additional command has been added is output to a printer. The extension program according to any one of claims 9 to 13, which is a printing method in which, in the addition process, if the print options include a print option that specifies execution of secure printing, user information and job information used in the secure printing are added to the print data as the addition command, and the secure printing is specified by the application as print parameters to a print program running on the OS, and when the printer receives the print data including the user information and the job information, the printer prints the print data on the condition that an operation corresponding to the user information is accepted. An information processing device in which a print program, an application, and an extension program that run on an OS run, the application designates a designated filter and instructs the print program running on the OS to print content data, the designated filter being a filter for converting the content data into print data, the print program being provided with the filter, the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the designated filter designated by the application for converting the content data instructed to be printed by the application into print data, and the print program running on the OS issues a conversion instruction to the extension program when the extension program is designated as the designated filter,
a print data acquisition unit that, when receiving the conversion instruction from a print program running on the OS based on an instruction to print the content data by the application, converts the content data into the print data using a filter included in the print program running on the OS, and acquires the print data output from the filter included in the print program running on the OS;
an output unit that outputs the print data to a printer for printing;
An information processing device comprising: An information processing device in which a program running on an OS and an application run, the application designating print parameters and instructing a print program running on the OS to print content data, the print program running on the OS including a filter, and issuing a conversion instruction to the filter for converting the content data instructed to be printed by the application into print data;
a print data acquisition unit that, when receiving a conversion instruction from a print program running on the OS based on an instruction from the application to print the content data specifying the print parameters that are not supported by a filter included in the print program running on the OS, converts the content data into the print data using a filter included in the print program running on the OS and acquires the print data output from the filter included in the print program running on the OS;
an output unit that outputs the print data to a printer for printing;
An information processing device comprising:

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