JP4330161B2 - Control method, information processing apparatus, print control apparatus, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to control for causing a printing apparatus to execute a print job.

  The environmental pollution problem of the earth is getting worse every day, and power saving in printing devices is also regarded as important especially from the viewpoint of carbon dioxide emissions. However, there is also a problem that occurs because power saving of the printing apparatus is promoted. For example, in an electrophotographic printer, the temperature of the fixing device is raised to a printable state when a print request is issued (see Patent Document 1). Therefore, if the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped in the power saving state, it takes time until the print output can be started when returning from the power saving state, which reduces usability. End up.

  In addition, the state or setting status of the printing apparatus main body may be displayed visually on the display unit of the printing apparatus main body. For example, in an inkjet printer used in a small-scale environment, a print request issuer apparatus and a printing apparatus are often arranged at a short distance. In such a case, the visible display on the display unit of the printing apparatus main body is a useful means for letting the user know the state or setting state of the printing apparatus. Such a display unit is also a target of power saving when trying to achieve more effective power saving.

The transition from the power saving state to the normal power supply state (return from the power saving state) is generally triggered by issuing a print request from an external device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-314661

  However, when the transition to the power saving state as described above and the return from the power saving state triggered by the print request are adopted, the visible display on the display unit is not performed when the print request is issued. For this reason, the user knows the state of the printing apparatus or the setting state by visual display after issuing the print request, which may cause an unexpected inconvenience.

  For example, even if a paper jam or the like has occurred, if a power saving state is entered, a visual display indicating the paper jam or the like is not performed. For this reason, the user issues a print request without noticing the occurrence of a paper jam, and the execution of printing is interrupted immediately. When the setting of the print job is left to the setting of the printing apparatus main body, the display unit does not display the setting state of the printing apparatus main body in the power saving state. For this reason, printing contrary to the user's intention is executed, and as a result, useless print output is performed, and useless waste of paper may be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to prevent usability from being lowered while maintaining efficient power saving in a printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
The first paper feed operation mode according to the designated paper feed port and the second paper feed operation mode according to the paper feed port determined by the printing apparatus main body without designating the paper feed port can be operated. A control method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating a paper feed operation mode in a second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating a paper feed operation mode in a first power supply state,
A first acquisition step in which a first acquisition unit acquires information on a power state from the printing apparatus;
When the setting of the paper feed operation mode is the second paper feed operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power supply state, the suppression unit executes the print job. A suppressing step.

In addition, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
It is possible to operate in either a first operation mode for performing an operation in accordance with a setting designated by an external information processing apparatus when a print job is input, or a second operation mode for performing an operation based on the determination of the printing apparatus main body. A control method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating the operation mode in a second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating the operation mode in a power supply state,
A first acquisition unit that acquires a state relating to a power state from the printing apparatus;
A suppression step in which the suppression unit suppresses execution of a print job when the operation mode is set to the second operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power state. And have.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing mechanism that does not cause usability deterioration while maintaining efficient power saving in a printing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
<< Explanation of the entire system >>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit 101 and the relationship between the host device 107 and the printer 108 in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, application software 102 is software that operates on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is basic software of the host device 107. The application software 102 has a function of printing the created data, and examples thereof include word processing software for creating documents, drawing creation software, and presentation software.

  The printer driver 101 receives as input data such as image data and graphic drawing commands output from the application 102. The input data is converted into print data having a data format printable by a predetermined printer and output to the printer 108. The printer driver 101 is realized by software, and includes a UI control unit 103, a status acquisition unit 104, a print data generation unit 105, and a print setting storage unit 106. The printer driver itself does not have to have the functions of the UI control unit 103 and the status acquisition unit 104. For example, it can be realized by another software linked with the printer driver 101.

  The UI control unit 103 displays and controls a print setting screen (UI) for performing various print settings that can be set by the printer driver, such as a paper type, a paper size, a paper feeding method, and a color processing method. It is a program to do. The print setting information made on the print setting screen is stored in the print setting storage unit 106. The print data generation unit 105 reads the print setting information from the print setting storage unit 106, generates print data by performing processes such as rasterization, color conversion, and command addition in accordance with the settings, and the generated print data is transferred to the printer. Output to. In this embodiment, the storage area for storing the setting information is provided in the printer driver 101 in the form of the print setting storage unit 105. However, the location for storing the print settings may not be in the driver 101. For example, the configuration may be such that the print setting information is stored in another storage area in the host device 107 and the printer driver 101 loads it appropriately. The status acquisition unit 104 acquires information from the printer 108 and provides the information to the UI control unit 103.

  The printer 108 forms an image corresponding to the received print data on a sheet, and printing is executed.

<Description of printer body>
FIG. 2 shows an example of a printer having two or more paper feed mechanisms. The printer 108 in FIG. 2 has two sheet feeding ports, an auto sheet feeder (hereinafter referred to as ASF) 201 and a front sheet feeding cassette 202 (hereinafter referred to as cassette). When printing is performed with the paper set in the ASF 201 or the cassette 202, the paper is fed from the designated paper feed port (ASF or cassette), and the printed paper is discharged from the paper discharge tray 203.

  The printer 108 is provided with a paper feed changeover switch 206 for setting a paper feed port to be used on the main body side. By pressing the paper feed switch 206, the “main body paper feed switching setting”, which is a setting on the main body side regarding the paper feed port to be used, is “setting to use the ASF 201” and “setting to use the cassette 202”. Switch between. The switching state of the sheet feeding port set by the sheet feeding switch 206 is visualized and output by switching the lighting state of the sheet feeding switching setting display LED 207. In the following description, an LED will be described as an example. For example, a liquid crystal display or an LCD panel may be used instead. In the print setting on the UI provided by the printer driver 101 of the host device 107 to be described later, when “switch by main body” is selected as the paper feed method, the paper feed port to be used is determined according to “main body paper feed switching setting”. Is done. In other words, paper is fed from the paper feed port on which the paper feed switching setting display LED 207 is lit.

The printer 108 distinguishes hard power ON / OFF and soft power ON / OFF states as power states. The hard power ON state is a state in which power is supplied to the printer 108 by connecting the plug of the power cord to an outlet. The soft power ON state is a state where a print job can be accepted when the power button 204 of the printer 108 is pressed in the hard power ON state. As a case of transition from the soft power OFF state to the soft power ON state,
・ When the power button is pressed in the hard power ON state and the soft power OFF state,
-When print data (print job) is received from the host device with the hard power ON state, soft power OFF state, and automatic power ON function enabled
There are two ways.

  In the present embodiment, the following three power supply states are defined by combinations of the hard power ON state and the soft power ON state. Note that when any data is received in the soft power OFF state, the function of automatically turning on the soft power to shift to the soft power ON state and shifting the printer to the print executable state is called an automatic power ON function.

<Power status>
(1) Power supply state A: Hard power OFF state This state is a state in which the power cord plug of the printer 108 is not connected to an outlet and power is not supplied. In the power supply state A, the host device 107 does not recognize the connection of the device and cannot accept any data sent to the printer. The printer status cannot be acquired from the printer driver 101.

(2) Power supply state B: (hard power ON and soft power OFF state) In this state, power is supplied by connecting the power cord plug of the printer 108 to the outlet, and the CPU in the printer 108 is operating. The various settings on the memory are also stored. However, the hardware is not automatically activated in the power supply state B (for example, the recovery operation is not automatically performed).

  Further, in the power supply state B, the paper feed operation mode set in the printer and the printer state are not visualized and output for the purpose of power saving. For example, the various LEDs are not lit, and the “main body paper feed switching setting” cannot be changed by operating the paper feed switch 206. Therefore, for the user, like the “power supply state A” described above, it appears as “a state where the power is not turned on”. The connection of the printer 108 is not recognized from the host device 107, and printing is not normally performed even if a print request is sent.

  However, if the printer 108 is set to “enable automatic power-on function”, which will be described later, the printer 108 is automatically turned on in response to the reception of a print request from the host device 107. And it transfers to the below-mentioned power supply state C, and performs printing. In this case, the status of the printer 108 can be acquired from the printer driver 101 by accessing the printer 108 via the I / F of the host device 107.

(3) Power supply state C: (Hard power ON and soft power ON state) In this state, power is supplied when the power cord plug of the printer 108 is connected to an outlet, and various LEDs on the main unit are lit. It is in a state of being. In the power supply state C, the host device 107 is recognized as a printable state, and printing can be executed in response to a print request from the host device 107. This power state C is a state that is generally recognized by the user as “a state in which the power is on (printing is possible)”. In the power supply state C, the paper feed operation mode set in the printer and the state of the printer are visualized and output. In the power supply state C, since various LEDs are lit, it is possible to determine the main body state such as the paper feed switching setting from the appearance of the printer, and the main body paper feed switching setting using the paper feed switch 206. It is also possible to change.

  When the power cord plug is connected to the outlet in the power state A, the hard power is turned on and the power state B is changed. In addition, when the power cord is unplugged from the outlet in the power state B, the hard power is turned off and the power state A is entered. In the hard power ON state, the soft power state of the printer 108 can be turned ON / OFF by pressing the power button 204 for switching ON / OFF of the soft power. That is, when the power button 204 is pressed in the power state B, the soft power is turned on and the power state C is changed. When the power button 204 is pressed in the power state C, the soft power is turned off and the state is changed to the power state B.

  As described above, it is assumed that the soft power ON / OFF switching is performed in the hard power ON state. Therefore, hereinafter, the power state A is referred to as “hard power OFF state”, the power state B is referred to as “soft power OFF state”, and the power state C is referred to as “soft power ON state”.

  Further, as described above, the printer 108 has an automatic power ON function for automatically turning on the soft power and executing printing when data is received in the soft power OFF state. Further, the printer 108 is provided with a power LED 205 for expressing the ON / OFF state of the soft power. The LED 205 is lit only in the soft power ON state. The paper feed switching setting display LED 207 also presents the paper feed port switching setting state only when the soft power is on.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 2, that is, a portion of the paper feed changeover switch 206 and the paper feed changeover setting display LED 207. In this example, the cassette setting LED 2072 is lit as the paper feed setting setting display LED, which means that the paper feed switching setting of the main body is “setting to use the cassette 202”. Every time the paper feed changeover switch 206 is pressed, “setting to use ASF” and “setting to use cassette” are switched, and the lighting of the LED 2071 and the LED 2072 is switched accordingly. Needless to say, only one of the LED 2071 and the LED 2072 is lit, and both are not lit at the same time.

  Table 1 below collectively shows the operation states of the respective units in the power states, “hard power OFF state”, “soft power OFF state”, and “soft power ON state” of the three printers described above.

<About DeviceID>
The printer 108 transmits device identification information (hereinafter referred to as “DeviceID”) to the host device 107. This DeviceID includes body state information as a part thereof. Further, the main body status information includes consumables status such as the remaining amount of ink, presence or absence of a paper jam or the like, printer status such as power status, and paper feed port settings. It also includes information on the presence / absence of options such as an automatic duplex unit. Here, the main body state information includes, for example, information on whether the power state of the printer 108 described above is a soft power ON state or a soft power OFF state. Information on whether the automatic power ON function is enabled or disabled is also included. The status acquisition unit 104 of the printer driver 101 can acquire these pieces of information by directly accessing the printer 108 via the I / F of the host device 107 and acquiring a DeviceID.

  When the automatic power ON function is enabled, the I / F (USB I / F, etc.) with the host is kept in the ON state where power is supplied even in the soft power OFF state. In this case, even in the soft power OFF state, the DeviceID and status are returned (that is, the DeviceID and status can be acquired from the host device). However, the device does not shift to the soft power ON state due to a DeviceID or status inquiry from the host device 107. That is, DeviceID and status are returned while maintaining the soft power OFF state.

  Note that the setting of whether the automatic power ON function is enabled or disabled is stored, for example, in the EEPROM of the printer 108.

  The contents of DeviceID notified from the printer 108 to the host device 107 are shown in Table 2 below. In response to the inquiry from the host device 107, the printer 108 notifies the host device of information as shown in Table 2. However, as described above, the DeviceID is returned when the status of the printer 108 is “soft power ON” or “soft power OFF and when the automatic power ON function is enabled”. Limited to certain cases.

  Table 2 shows an example of the data structure of DeviceID.

* 1 About STATUS parameters:
For example, it changes as follows according to the power state of the printer and the setting of the automatic power ON function.
0010… Soft power ON state
1000… Automatic power ON function enabled and soft power OFF
0000 ... Auto power ON function disabled and soft power OFF * 2 OPTION parameters:
In order from the low-order bit, “with / without ASF”, “with / without automatic duplex unit”, “with / without memory card slot”, and “with / without cassette paper feeding” are shown. Therefore, “1001” in the table means that the ASF is present, the automatic duplex unit is absent, the memory card slot is absent, and the cassette is fed.

  Note that the DeviceID in Table 2 collectively includes the printer status and printer option information, but it may be divided into a plurality. For example, the printer status is the first DeviceID, the printer option information is the second DeviceID, and the printer responds to these DeviceIDs continuously in response to requests from the host or each time in response to multiple requests from the host. Also good.

  Further, information that can be indirectly identified by the software on the host side may be used instead of directly indicating the status of the printer or optional information. In other words, any information relating to the printer status or information relating to the option status can be applied. For example, when the power status of the printer is identified on the host device side, the printer may notify the host device of information relating to the power status and cause the host device to identify information relating to the power status.

<Description of print settings by driver>
FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a print setting screen displayed by the UI control unit 103 of the driver 101 according to the first embodiment. As described above, by using the print setting screen 401, the user can make settings for various items such as the type of paper to be used, the paper size, the paper feeding method, and the print quality. A portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 4A is a portion for making a setting relating to a paper feeding method. A list of paper feed method settings provided by the driver 101 is displayed using a pull-down menu 402 as shown in FIG. 4B, and the paper feed method is set by the user selecting an arbitrary paper feed method. Table 2 shows the relationship between the paper feeding method selected using the pull-down menu 402 of the printer driver 101 and the paper feeding operation of the printer.

  On the print setting screen 401, a button 403 for performing a setting of “enable automatic power ON function” is provided. When the user clicks this button 403, a command for “validating the automatic power ON function” is sent from the printer driver 101 to the printer 108, and this function becomes valid. This setting state is stored in a recording unit (not shown) inside the printer 108, and the printer driver 101 can determine whether this function is enabled by acquiring the DeviceID of the printer 108.

The print data generation unit 105 generates print data by adding a paper feed method designation command representing the paper feed method selected on the print setting screen 401 to the header portion of the print data. The printer 108 performs a paper feed operation (see Table 3) according to the paper feed method setting made on the driver by referring to the paper feed method designation command added to the header portion of the print data when printing is performed. . In particular,
(1) When “ASF” is selected as the paper feed method on the print setting screen 401, the printer 108 feeds paper from the ASF during printing.
(2) When “cassette” is selected on the print setting screen 401, the printer 108 feeds paper from the cassette.
(3) When “switch on the main body” is selected, the printer 108 determines the paper feed port to be used based on the main body paper feed switching setting stored in itself, and feeds from the determined paper feed port. Do paper.

<Flow of printing process>
Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 108 is in a hard power ON state, and a possible power state is either a soft power OFF state or a soft power ON state.

  When the application 102 selects the printer 108 and executes printing, the printer driver 101 of the selected printer 108 is activated and the processing shown in FIG. 5 is started. First, in step S <b> 501, the UI control unit 103 displays a print setting UI for performing detailed print settings of the printer 108. In the present embodiment, a print setting screen 401 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. When the user changes the setting value of each print setting item on the print setting screen 401 and presses the print button, execution of printing is instructed. When print execution is instructed, in step S502, the UI control unit 103 stores the confirmed print setting information in the print setting storage unit 106, and notifies the print data generation unit 105 that the print execution has been instructed.

  In step S <b> 503, the print data generation unit 105 that has received a print execution instruction loads print setting information from the print setting storage unit 106, and refers to the setting method of the paper feeding method from the loaded information. If “ASF” or “cassette” is selected as the paper feeding method, the process proceeds from S503 to S510, and a “paper feeding method designation command” corresponding to the set paper feeding method is added to the header portion. Generated print data. In step S511, the print data generated in step S510 is transmitted to the printer 108, and printing is executed.

  On the other hand, if the printer operation mode setting (in the case of S503, the paper feeding method) is set to “switch on the main body” in S503, the process proceeds to S504. In step S <b> 504, the print data generation unit 105 notifies the UI control unit 103 that the paper feed method is set to be switched in the main body before entering the print data generation process. Upon receiving this notification, the UI control unit 103 acquires information relating to the main body state of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104, in this case, DeviceID. DeviceID is as described above.

  If the DeviceID cannot be acquired by the DeviceID acquisition process in S504, the process proceeds to S512, and printing is canceled as it is. The case where the DeviceID cannot be acquired is “when the soft power OFF state and the automatic power ON function are invalid” or “hard power OFF state”.

  On the other hand, if the DeviceID can be acquired, the process proceeds to S506, and the UI control unit 103 determines “automatic power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” from the acquired DeveID parameter (STATUS). If the automatic power ON function is valid and the soft power is OFF, the process proceeds to S507. In step S <b> 507, the UI control unit 103 acquires the status of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104, and obtains information about whether the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is the ASF 201 or the cassette 202. In step S <b> 508, the UI control unit 103 displays a dialog for notifying the user of information about the paper feed port to be used. When the automatic power ON function is valid, the printer automatically shifts to the software ON state by printing data transmission and starts printing. Therefore, when “switch by main body” is set, the user is notified of the setting state on the main body side so that the user can confirm whether or not it is right.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of a dialog displayed by the UI control unit 103 in S508 in the first embodiment. The dialog display 601 notifies the user of which paper feed port is used when printing is continued with the current settings, and “If the printing is continued with this setting, the“ OK ”button is canceled. Click "Cancel" button if you want to. " Further, the dialog display 601 has an “OK” button and a “Cancel” button.

  The UI control unit 103 notifies the print data generation unit 105 of the result of the user operation on the dialog 601. The print data generation unit switches processing according to this notification. In other words, if “OK” is selected, the process advances from S509 to S510, and the print data generation unit 105 uses a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to “switch in the main body” that is the current paper feed method setting in the header portion. Generate added print data. In step S511, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing. On the other hand, if “cancel” is selected, the process advances from step S509 to step S512, and the print data generation unit 105 ends the job without generating print data.

  In S506, if at least one of “automatic power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” is negative, the process proceeds to S510. In S510, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to the paper feed method setting “switch on the main body” is added to the header portion, and transmits the data to the printer in S511. Execute printing with.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 108 when the soft power OFF state and the automatic power ON function are valid. In step S1001, the printer 108 determines whether any data has been received from the host device. If the received data is a request for DeviceID, the process proceeds from S1002 to S1003, and the DeviceID is returned to the host device. If the received data is a status request, status information including the setting state on the main body side of the paper feed port described above is returned to the host device. If the received data is print data (a print job), the process advances from step S1006 to step S1007, shifts to a soft power ON state, and printing according to the print data is started. At this time, the paper feed port is selected according to the paper feed method set in the header. In other words, if “ASF” or “cassette” is set, this is followed, and if “switch on main body” is set, the paper feed port is selected according to the setting state of the main body.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it has been described that each step is executed in response to a print instruction. However, some steps can be executed asynchronously with the print instruction. For example, the acquisition processing in S504 and S507 is performed in advance before a print instruction is issued. As an advance acquisition method, acquisition by periodic polling can be mentioned. When the acquisition processing in S504 and S507 is executed in advance, the same effect as the flowchart in FIG. 5 can be obtained by replacing S504 and S507 in FIG. 5 with processing that refers to information acquired in advance. Obtainable. In addition, the above acquisition process may be executed in advance in FIGS.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent a decrease in usability while maintaining efficient power saving in the printer. That is, it is possible to efficiently suppress the execution of a print job by the printer in response to a case where it is determined to be necessary. In addition, when the automatic power ON function is enabled in the soft power OFF state, the user can set the currently set paper feed port before sending print data to the printer even if the paper feeding method is the main body switching. I can know. Therefore, the user can re-set the paper and select the paper feed port before transmitting the print data to the printer, or can temporarily stop printing, thereby reducing the occurrence of printing errors.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, when the printer is in the automatic power-on function enabled state and the soft power-off state at the time of print data transmission, and “switch in the main body” is set for the paper feed port, the feed is displayed in the dialog display 601. A message for confirming the paper mouth is displayed. However, in the first embodiment, when a paper feed port different from the paper feed port displayed on the dialog display 601 is selected, the job is temporarily canceled and the paper feed method is displayed on the print setting screen 401 shown in FIG. Must be set again. In the second embodiment, such troublesomeness is eliminated.

  The system configuration in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The configuration of the driver 101 and the printer 108, the configuration of the print setting screen 401, the relationship between the paper feed method setting in the driver 101 and the paper feed operation of the printer, and the like are also described in the first embodiment (FIGS. 2 to 4 and Table 1 above). To 3).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the hard power of the printer 108 is in the ON state. Therefore, the processing of the second embodiment will be described assuming that the power state that can be taken is either the soft power OFF state or the soft power ON state.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, but the processes up to the storage of the print setting information in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, S701 and S702 are the same as S501 and S502 (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment.

  In step S <b> 703, the print data generation unit 105 that has received a print execution instruction loads the print setting information from the print setting storage unit 106, and refers to the setting details of the paper feed method from the loaded print setting information. Here, if “switch on main unit” is not set, that is, if “ASF” or “cassette” is selected, the process proceeds to S709. In step S709, print data is generated by adding a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to the set paper feed method to the header portion. In step S710, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing.

  On the other hand, if “switch on main body” is selected in the paper feed method setting, the process advances from S703 to S704. In step S <b> 704, the print data generation unit 105 notifies the UI control unit 103 that “switch on the main body” has been selected before entering the print data generation process. Upon receiving this notification, the UI control unit 103 acquires the Device ID of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104. In step S <b> 705, it is determined whether the “automatic power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” from the acquired Device ID parameter (STATUS). If the automatic power ON function is valid and the soft power is OFF, the process proceeds to S706. In step S <b> 706, the UI control unit 103 acquires the status of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104, and acquires information indicating whether the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is the ASF 201 or the cassette 202. In step S <b> 707, a dialog for notifying the user of information on the paper feed port to be used is displayed.

  An example of a dialog display displayed by the UI control unit 103 of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. The dialog display 611 notifies the user which paper feed port is used when printing is continued with the current settings. The dialog display 611 has an “OK” button and a “Change” button. Along with the notification of the paper feed port, the dialog display 611 prompts the user to ““ OK ”button to continue printing with this setting, or“ Change ”to continue printing after changing the paper feed port. Prompt to click 'button'.

  Then, the UI control unit 103 notifies the print data generation unit 105 of the result of the user operation on the dialog 611. The print data generation unit 105 performs processing according to the notified contents. That is, if “OK” is selected, the process proceeds from S708 to S709. In step S <b> 709, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to “switch on the main body” that is the current paper feed method setting is added to the header portion. In step S710, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer to execute printing.

  If “change” is clicked in the dialog 611, the process proceeds from S708 to S711. In step S <b> 711, the print data generation unit 105 issues a paper feed port designation command for designating a paper feed port that is not the paper feed port set as “paper feed port to be used” in the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108. Generate the added header. Then, print data is generated using this header. That is, print data (print job) whose setting state has been changed is generated. In step S710, the print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing. In the example of the dialog display 611 in FIG. 6B, the “use cassette” setting is set in the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108. Therefore, the selection of “change” means “change to paper feeding from ASF and continue printing”. In that case, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data by adding a paper feed port designation command corresponding to the changed paper feed method “ASF”. The relationship between the main body paper feed switching setting and the paper feed port is as illustrated in Table 3.

  If it is determined in step S705 that at least one of the “automatic power ON function is enabled” and “soft power OFF state” is negative, the process advances from step S705 to step S709. In step S <b> 709, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to the paper feed method setting “switch on the main body” is added to the header portion. In step S <b> 710, printing is executed by transmitting 108 the generated print data to the printer.

  The operation when the printer 108 in the second embodiment is in the soft power OFF state and the automatic power ON function is valid is as shown in FIG. In step S1007, the process shifts to the soft power ON state, and the print data is printed by the designated paper feeding method.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the conditions of steps S703 and S705 are satisfied, the execution of the print job is suppressed, and the dialog display 711 regarding the paper feed port selection is presented. In other words, the user can select whether to change the paper feed port or to print as it is, via the dialog display 711 displayed before the print data is transmitted. As described above, since the paper feed port designation command added to the print data generated by the print data generation unit can be changed according to the user selection, even when the printer is in the soft power OFF state when transmitting the print data. It can be changed so that paper is fed from a desired paper feed port.

  In the second embodiment, a header that specifies the changed paper feeding method is generated and print data is generated using the header. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is obvious that the print data may be generated first, and the header may be corrected (correct the print data) according to the changed paper feeding method.

<Third Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the paper feed port is set to “switch on the main body”, and this can be changed from the dialog display shown in FIG. In this change, in the second embodiment, the currently selected paper feed port is selected, the print job setting is changed so as to designate the selected paper feed port, and the print data is transmitted. . That is, the print job is changed so that the paper feed method is set to either “ASF” or “cassette” from “switch on main body”. However, the change of the setting state is not limited to such a method. In the third embodiment, a command for changing the paper feed port is transmitted to change the setting on the printer side, and the same effect as that of the second embodiment is realized without changing the setting of the print job.

  The system configuration in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first and second embodiments (FIG. 1). Further, the configurations of the driver 101 and the printer 108, the configuration of the print setting screen 401, the relationship between the paper feed method setting in the driver 101 and the paper feed operation of the printer, and the like are also described in the first and second embodiments (FIGS. 2 to 4, described above). Tables 1 to 3) are the same.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment as well, as in the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the printer 108 is in the hard power ON state. Accordingly, the processing of the third embodiment will be described assuming that the power state that can be taken is either the soft power OFF state or the soft power ON state.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8, but the processes up to the storage of the print setting information in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, S801 and S802 are the same as S501 and S502 (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment.

  In step S <b> 803, the print data generation unit 105 that has received a print execution instruction loads the print setting information from the print setting storage unit 106, and refers to the setting contents of the paper feeding method from the loaded information. If “ASF” or “cassette” is selected, the process advances from S803 to S809. In step S <b> 809, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to the set paper feed method is added to the header portion. In step S810, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing.

  On the other hand, if “switch on the main body” is selected as the paper feed method setting in S803, the process proceeds to S804. In step S <b> 804, the print data generation unit 105 notifies the UI control unit 103 that “switch on the main body” is selected before entering the print data generation process. In step S <b> 804, the UI control unit 103 that has received this notification acquires the Device ID of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104. In step S <b> 805, the UI control unit 103 determines whether the “auto power ON function is valid” and the “soft power OFF state” from the parameter of the DeveID. If the automatic power ON function is valid and the soft power is OFF, the process proceeds to S806. In step S <b> 806, the UI control unit 103 acquires the status of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104 and obtains information indicating whether the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is the ASF 201 or the cassette 202. In step S <b> 807, a dialog for notifying the user of information on the paper feed port to be used is displayed.

  The dialog display displayed by the UI control unit 103 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment. That is, a dialog display 611 shown in FIG. 6B is displayed to notify the user which paper feed port is used when printing is continued with the current settings. In addition, the dialog display 611 prompts the user to “click the“ OK ”button to continue printing with this setting, or click the“ change ”button to continue printing after changing the paper feed port” ”. Prompt.

  Then, the UI control unit 103 notifies the print data generation unit 105 of the result of the user operation on the dialog 611. The print data generation unit 105 performs processing according to the notified contents. The process when “OK” is selected is the same as in the second embodiment. That is, the process proceeds from S808 to S809, and the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feeding method designation command” corresponding to “switching with the main body” that is the current paper feeding method setting is added to the header portion. . In step S810, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing.

  On the other hand, if “change” is selected in the dialog 611, the process advances from S808 to S811. In step S 811, the print data generation unit 105 transmits a “main body paper feed switching setting change command” for changing the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 (from the host device 107) to the printer 108. The printer 108 changes the main body paper feed switching setting in accordance with the main body paper feed switching setting change command. In the example of the dialog 611 in FIG. 6B, the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is set to “use cassette”. Therefore, when the printer 108 receives the main body paper feed switching setting change command, the printer 108 changes the main body paper feed switching setting to the “use ASF” setting and newly stores the setting.

  In step S809, the print data generation unit 105 adds the “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to “switch in the main body” that is the paper feed method set by the print setting dialog 401 in steps S801 and S802 to the header portion. Is generated. In step S910, the print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing. As a result, paper feeding is performed according to the “main body paper feed switching setting” changed by the main body paper feed switching setting change command transmitted from the print data generation unit 105. In this example, since the main body paper feed switching setting is changed to ASF, paper feeding is performed from the ASF. In this way, paper can be fed from the paper feed port according to the operation selected by the user in the dialog 611.

  If it is determined in S805 that at least one of the “automatic power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” is negative, the process proceeds from S805 to S809. In step S <b> 809, the print data generation unit 105 generates a print file in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to the paper feed method setting “switch on the main body” is added to the header portion. In step S810, the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing.

  The operation when the printer 108 according to the third embodiment is in the soft power OFF state and the automatic power ON function is valid is the same as that in the first and second embodiments (FIG. 10). However, in step S1006, upon receipt of a “paper feeding method designation command” or print data, the process proceeds to step S1007 and shifts to the soft power ON state. When the printer 108 shifts to the soft power ON state by the paper feed method designation command, the printer 108 changes the setting state of its paper feed port according to the paper feed method designation command.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the conditions of steps S803 and S805 are satisfied, the execution of the print job is suppressed and the dialog display 711 regarding the paper feed port selection is presented. That is, the user can select whether to change the paper feed port or to print as it is, via the dialog display 711 displayed at the stage before sending the print data. A command to change the setting is sent. As a result, it is possible to execute printing after changing the paper feed switching setting of the main body, and paper is fed from a desired paper feed port even when the printer is in the soft power OFF state when sending print data. Can be changed as follows. In addition, the “switch on the main body” state is maintained.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the second and third embodiments, before the printer 108 is set to the soft power ON state, the paper feed port is determined by the dialog shown in FIG. 6B and the print data is transmitted. In the fourth embodiment, when the selection of the paper feed port is set to “switch on main body”, the printer 108 is set in the soft power ON state before sending print data, and the paper feed changeover switch 206 of the printer 108 is set. Enables switching by the user using.

  The system configuration in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first to third embodiments (FIG. 1). Further, the configurations of the driver 101 and the printer 108, the configuration of the print setting screen 401, the relationship between the paper feed method setting in the driver 101 and the paper feed operation of the printer, and the like are also described in the first to third embodiments (FIGS. 2 to 4, described above). Tables 1 to 3) are the same.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment as well, as in the first to third embodiments, it is assumed that the hard power of the printer 108 is in the ON state. Therefore, the processing of the fourth embodiment will be described assuming that the power state that can be taken is either the soft power OFF state or the soft power ON state.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9, but the processes up to storing the print setting information in the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. That is, S901 and S902 are the same as S501 and S502 (FIG. 5).

  In step S <b> 903, the print data generation unit 105 instructed to execute printing loads the print setting information from the print setting storage unit 106, and refers to the setting contents of the paper feeding method from the obtained print setting information. If “ASF” or “cassette” is selected as the paper feeding method, the process advances from S903 to S909, and a “paper feeding method designation command” corresponding to the set paper feeding method is added to the header portion. Generated print data. In step S910, the print data generated in step S509 is transmitted to the printer 108, and printing is executed.

  On the other hand, if “switch on the main body” is selected in the paper feed method setting, the process advances from S903 to S904. In step S <b> 904, the print data generation unit 105 notifies the UI control unit 103 that “switch on the main body” has been selected before entering the print data generation process. Upon receiving this notification, the UI control unit 103 acquires the Device ID of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104. The process advances to step S905 to determine whether the “auto power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” from the acquired DeveID parameter. If the automatic power ON function is valid and the soft power is OFF, the process proceeds from S905 to S906. In step S <b> 906, the UI control unit 103 acquires the status of the printer 108 via the status acquisition unit 104, and obtains information indicating whether the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is the ASF 201 or the cassette 202.

  In step S907, for example, a “job start command” and an “end command” are continuously sent to the printer 108 to prompt the host device 107 to turn on the soft power of the printer 108. Since the automatic power-on function of the printer 108 is enabled, the soft power is turned on when the “job start command” is received, and the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 is changed by operating the paper feed switch 206. The user can perform a user operation. In step S <b> 908, a dialog for notifying the user of information about the paper feed port to be used is displayed.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of dialog display according to the fourth embodiment. A dialog 621 displayed by the UI control unit 103 in the fourth embodiment notifies the user which paper feed port is used when printing is continued with the current settings. When the printing is continued with the setting as it is, the user is prompted to click the “OK” button as it is. Further, when the printing is continued by changing the paper feed port, it is urged to operate the paper feed changeover switch 206 of the printer 108 to change the main body paper feed changeover setting and then click the “OK” button.

  If “OK” is clicked on the dialog 621, the process proceeds to S909. In step S909, the print data generation unit 105 generates print data in which a “paper feed method designation command” corresponding to “switch in the main body” which is the paper feed method setting set and stored in steps S901 and S902 is added to the header portion. . In step S910, the print data is transmitted to the printer to execute printing. As described above, in the third embodiment, the printer 108 can be set in the soft power ON state before “OK” in the dialog display 621 is clicked. Therefore, the user can change the main body paper feed switching setting by operating the printer paper feed changeover switch 206 before sending the print data to the printer 108.

  If it is determined in S905 that at least one of “automatic power ON function is valid” and “soft power OFF state” is negative, the process directly proceeds to S909. In step S909, print data is generated by adding a “paper feeding method designation command” corresponding to the paper feeding method setting “switch on main body” to the header portion. In step S910, the print data is transmitted to the printer 108 to execute printing.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the conditions of steps S903 and S905 are satisfied, the execution of the print job is suppressed and the dialog display 712 regarding the paper feed port selection is presented. That is, according to the fourth embodiment, the printer 108 is turned on by the data transmitted from the driver 108 before the print data is transmitted (while the execution of the job is suppressed). Therefore, before sending print data, the user can change the main body paper feed switching setting for the job by operating the paper feed switch 206 of the printer 108. Then, by performing paper feeding according to the main body paper feed switching setting of the printer 108 when “OK” is clicked, paper feeding from a paper feeding port desired by the user is realized.

  The operation when the printer 108 of the fourth embodiment is in the soft power OFF state and the automatic power ON function is valid is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 10).

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, by continuously sending a job start command and an end command (sending an insubstantial job to the printer 108), only the soft power ON is prompted without performing actual printing. The method was adopted. However, the method for turning on the printer soft power from the driver 101 side may be other methods. For example, a method for defining a command for encouraging soft power ON and transmitting the command from the driver 101 to the printer 108 to cause the printer 108 to be soft powered ON may be used.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the first to fourth embodiments, the example relating to paper feeding has been described as the operation mode of the printer. However, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to modes other than the operation mode related to paper feeding. That is, setting using the print setting screen shown in FIG. 4A is possible, and setting of the operation mode in which the setting content from the operation unit of the printer main body is stored and held in the printer main body as the operation mode of the printer. If so, it is applicable. In the fifth embodiment, a specific example will be described.

  First, you can switch settings such as print quality (setting whether to prioritize image quality or prioritize speed reduction) and color / monochrome settings (setting whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing) on the printer. Stored in the printer body as a setting. The setting for performing the switching process in the main body is the same as that described in Table 3.

  When the setting of “print quality: according to main body setting” is confirmed via the print setting screen of the printer driver 101 (for example, corresponding to the determination of S503 in FIG. 5), the main body setting is acquired (for example, processing of S507) Equivalent). Note that the condition determination as to whether or not to acquire the body setting is the same as in the above-described embodiments (S506 in FIG. 5, 705 in FIG. 7, S805 in FIG. 8, S905 in FIG. 9, etc.).

  Then, the acquired setting of the printer main body is displayed (S508 in FIG. 5), or the setting of the print job is changed (corresponding to S711 in FIG. 7). Further, the setting of the printer main body may be changed (S811 in FIG. 8), or the printer setting may be changed by prompting the operation of the printer main body (S908 in FIG. 9).

  By doing so, the same effects as those in the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained in the operation modes other than the paper feed operation mode.

  According to each of the embodiments described above, in the case of a specific setting (that is, when “switch in main body” is set), an inquiry as shown in FIG. 6 is performed before printing. On the other hand, a mode is also assumed in which various statuses and setting statuses are always acquired from the printer before printing, and the user is inquired (confirmed) whether the various statuses and setting statuses are acceptable. The However, there is a problem that the operation becomes troublesome for each user when an inquiry is issued each time. In each of the above embodiments, execution of a print job is suppressed in the case of the specific setting, and an inquiry (confirmation) as shown in FIG. 6 is performed. For this reason, the troublesomeness as described above can be eliminated, the display processing of the useless print request issuer apparatus can be omitted, and an efficient mechanism as a printing system can be realized.

  Further, in a general application, there is a case where a print request is made without opening a setting screen for performing detailed settings for a printer and a print job, and the print is output as it is. In this case, printing is performed with the print settings already set at that time. According to each of the embodiments described above, even in such a case, when a specific setting (“switch on the main body”) is set, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a printing error due to the paper feed port selection.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, execution of a print job is suppressed under a predetermined condition. In this “suppression”, in each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in S507 to S510 in FIG. 5, S706 to S709 in FIG. 7, S806 to S809 in FIG. 8, and S906 to S909 in FIG. Presents a dialog for changing settings. The predetermined condition refers to a case where an item performing an operation in accordance with the setting on the main body side is in a state where the setting state cannot be confirmed, that is, a power state in which at least the soft software power is OFF. Further, in the suppression of the execution of a print job, in each of the above embodiments, the generation of print data is stopped and the user is prompted for confirmation / selection. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The confirmation / selection by the user may be performed at any stage before the transmission of the print data, and the confirmation / selection by the user may be prompted while generating the print data. In this case, transmission of print data is prohibited until the confirmation / selection by the user is completed, which is also a category of “suppression”. In other words, “suppression” is a process of stopping execution of a print job (generation and / or transmission of print data) in order to perform final confirmation in response to detection of a possibility of a print result unintended by the user. Point to.

<Other embodiments>
In the embodiments described so far, the description has been given by using the example of the printer having two paper feed ports of ASF and cassette. However, the configuration of the printer to which the present invention is applied has two paper feed ports. It is not limited to things. That is, the present invention can be applied even to a printer having three or more paper feed ports. For example, in the second and third embodiments, when a printer having three paper feed ports is used, the dialog display shown in FIG. 6B for notifying the user of the paper feed port information is as follows. Can be transformed into In other words, the “change” button is changed to “continue after changing to paper feed port B” and “continue after changing to paper feed port C” button, and printing is continued after changing to another paper feed port. Provide a button to indicate. Then, in S711 of FIG. 7, a configuration may be adopted in which print data is generated by adding a paper feed port designation command for designating a paper feed port corresponding to the selected button to the header. Further, in S811 in FIG. 8, a command for designating a paper feed port corresponding to the button selected as the “main body paper feed switching setting change command” may be transmitted.

  Note that the control of each of the above embodiments is applicable to any printer having a plurality of paper feed ports, and any printing method may be used. For example, it can be applied regardless of the printing method such as an ink jet printer or a laser beam printer.

  In the above-described embodiment, information indicating whether the automatic power-on function is enabled and the power state of the printer (whether it is a soft power-on state) is acquired from the device ID of the printer. The method was adopted. However, the method of acquiring the power supply state is not limited to this, and for example, a method of acquiring from the status information returned by inquiring the printer status may be used.

  In addition, the configuration of the driver and the processing for realizing the printing operation according to the user selection made on the above dialog are not limited to these embodiments, and various without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that various changes and modifications are made.

  It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus. Here, the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. This includes a case where an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  Furthermore, the present invention realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments by writing the program code read from the storage medium into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. This includes cases where In this case, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Become.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit and a relationship between a host device and a printer in the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an appearance of a printer according to a first embodiment. It is a figure showing the paper feed change switch and paper feed change setting display LED of a printer in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the print setting screen in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a printer driver in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the paper feed opening confirmation dialog in 1st-4th embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a printer driver in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a printer driver according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a printer driver according to a fourth embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in a case where the soft power OFF state of the printer 108 and the automatic power ON function are valid.

Claims (14)

The first paper feed operation mode according to the designated paper feed port and the second paper feed operation mode according to the paper feed port determined by the printing apparatus main body without specifying the paper feed port can be operated. A control method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating a paper feed operation mode in a second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating a paper feed operation mode in a first power supply state,
A first acquisition step in which a first acquisition unit acquires information on a power state from the printing apparatus;
When the setting of the paper feed operation mode is the second paper feed operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power supply state, the suppression unit executes the print job. An information processing apparatus control method comprising: a suppressing step of suppressing. The second acquisition means further includes a second acquisition step of acquiring a setting of a paper feed operation mode from the printing apparatus;
In the suppression step, when the acquired paper feed operation mode setting is the second paper feed operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power supply state, The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification step of notifying a state relating to the setting of the paper feed operation mode acquired in the second acquisition step. In the suppression step, the suppression is performed when the setting of the paper feed operation mode is the second paper feed operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power supply state. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of causing the display unit to display an inquiry that can indicate whether to cancel and continue the printing process and / or to interrupt the printing process. Method for controlling the information processing apparatus. In the suppression step, the sheet feeding operation mode is set when the setting of the sheet feeding operation mode is the second sheet feeding operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power supply state. control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 changes of mode setting, characterized in that it comprises a step of causing the display unit a setting change display possible instructions. When the sheet feed operation mode through the setting change displayed is changed, the print job generating unit, and a print job generating step of generating a print job based on the sheet feeding operation mode after the change,
5. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 4 , wherein the output control unit further includes an output control step of causing the output unit to output the print job generated in the print job generation step. When the sheet feed operation mode through the setting change displayed is changed, the job modifying means comprises a print job correcting step for correcting the print job based on the sheet feed operation mode after the change,
5. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the output control means further includes an output control step of causing the output unit to output the print job corrected in the print job correction step. The setting instruction unit further includes a setting instruction step for setting the changed sheet feeding operation mode in the printing apparatus main body when the sheet feeding operation mode is changed via the setting change display. 5. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to 4. It is possible to operate in either a first operation mode for performing an operation in accordance with a setting designated by an external information processing apparatus when a print job is input, or a second operation mode for performing an operation based on the determination of the printing apparatus main body. A control method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating the operation mode in a second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating the operation mode in a power supply state,
A first acquisition unit that acquires a state relating to a power state from the printing apparatus;
A suppression step in which the suppression unit suppresses execution of a print job when the operation mode is set to the second operation mode and the information acquired in the first acquisition step is identified as the first power state. And a method of controlling the information processing apparatus. For a printing apparatus having two or more sheet feeding mechanisms and storage means for storing information relating to the sheet feeding mechanism as main body sheet feeding related settings, the original data is converted into print data that can be processed by the printing apparatus. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that outputs the
A paper feed method setting means for allowing a user to set a paper feed method of a sheet as a print medium;
Paper judging means, the paper feed method feed method set in the setting step, or is intended to specify any one of the paper feeding mechanism of the printing device, based on the main body feeding associated set and feeding method determination step of determining in whether that specifies that the paper feed mechanism to be used have Dzu said printing apparatus to determine,
Notification means, a notification process according to the determination result of the paper feeding method determining step, and notifies the information of the main feeding associated set to the connected host device of said printing apparatus,
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus converting means, characterized by comprising a changing step of converting the original data while applying the set feed method in the paper feeding method setting process in the print data. The first paper feed operation mode according to the designated paper feed port and the second paper feed operation mode according to the paper feed port determined by the printing apparatus main body without designating the paper feed port can be operated. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating the sheet feeding operation mode in the second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating the sheet feeding operation mode in the first power supply state,
First obtaining means for obtaining a state relating to a power state from the printing apparatus;
Suppression means for suppressing execution of a print job when the paper feed operation mode is set to the second paper feed operation mode and the information acquired by the first acquisition means is identified as the first power state. And an information processing apparatus. It is possible to operate in any one of a first operation mode for performing an operation according to a setting designated by an external information processing apparatus when a print job is input, and a second operation mode for performing an operation based on the determination of the printing apparatus main body. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that performs visualization output indicating the operation mode in the second power supply state without performing visualization output indicating the operation mode in the power supply state,
First obtaining means for obtaining a state relating to a power state from the printing apparatus;
And a suppression unit that suppresses execution of a print job when the operation mode is set to the second operation mode and the information acquired by the first acquisition unit is identified as the first power state. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above. For a printing apparatus having two or more sheet feeding mechanisms and storage means for storing information relating to the sheet feeding mechanism as main body sheet feeding related settings, the original data is converted into print data that can be processed by the printing apparatus. A print control device for outputting
A paper feed method setting means for setting a paper feed method of a sheet as a print medium;
Or Paper set in the paper feed method setting means is used to designate any one of the paper feeding mechanism of the printing device, the paper feed mechanism to be used based on the said main body feeding associated set A paper feed method determination means for determining whether the printing apparatus is to be determined;
Means for notifying the main body paper feed related setting information to the host device connected to the printing device in accordance with the determination result of the paper feed method determination means;
A printing control apparatus comprising: a conversion unit that converts the original data into the print data while applying the sheet feeding method set by the sheet feeding method setting unit. Program for executing the control method according to the computer in any one of claims 1 to 9. Computer readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control method according to the computer in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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