JP7600682B2 - Printer and computer program for the printer - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a printer that can store print setting information.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system that includes a communication device and an MFP (short for Multi-function Peripheral). When a registration operation is performed, the communication device sends a print preset registration request conforming to IPP (short for Internet Printing Protocol) to the MFP. In response, the MFP registers the print preset.

JP 2019-119089 A

In the technology of Patent Document 1, a user needs to perform a registration operation on a communication device to register a print preset in an MFP. This specification provides a technology that can improve the convenience of printer users.

The printer disclosed in this specification includes a print execution unit, a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the memory, a communication interface, a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, causes the memory to store count information indicating the number of times a print request including the M setting values has been received, in association with reception information indicating the M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, and a second storage control unit that, when the first count information is stored in association with the first reception information and the first count information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, causes the memory to store first print setting information indicating the M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information, and the first storage control unit that stores the first print setting information indicating the M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information. The printing device may further include a printing setting information sending unit that sends to the external device, via the communication interface, one or more pieces of printing setting information including the first printing setting information stored in the memory when a first predetermined command is received from the external device via the communication interface after the printing setting information is stored in the memory; a printing request receiving unit that receives from the external device, via the communication interface, a specific printing request including specific information for identifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first printing setting information when the first printing setting information is selected in the external device from the one or more pieces of printing setting information after the one or more pieces of printing setting information are transmitted to the external device; and a printing control unit that causes the printing execution unit to print an image to be printed according to the plurality of setting values identified by the specific information included in the specific printing request when the specific printing request is received from the external device.

According to the above configuration, each time a print request is received, the printer stores the number of times information in association with the reception information. Then, when the first number of times information associated with the first reception information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the printer stores the first print setting information as new print setting information. In this way, the printer can automatically store the first print setting information that has been used multiple times by the user, even if the user does not perform an operation on the external device to register the first print setting information. This can improve user convenience.

Another printer disclosed in this specification includes a print execution unit and a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the memory, a communication interface, and, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, a printer that indicates the number of times a print request including the M setting values has been received, in association with reception information indicating the M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request. a first storage control unit that stores number information in the memory; a query transmission unit that transmits, when the first number information is stored in the memory in association with first reception information and the first number information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, to a first external device via the communication interface, a query to inquire of a user whether or not to store first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information in the memory as new print setting information; and a query transmission unit that transmits, from the first external device via the communication interface, the first print setting information as new print setting information. a second storage control unit that stores the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory is received; a print setting information transmission unit that transmits one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the second external device via the communication interface when a first predetermined command is received from a second external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory; When the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the second external device, a print request receiving unit receives a first print request from the second external device via the communication interface, the first print request including specific information for identifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information, and a print control unit causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed according to the plurality of setting values identified by the specific information included in the first print request when the first print request is received from the second external device.

According to the above configuration, the printer stores the number of times information in association with the reception information each time a print request is received. Then, when the first number of times information associated with the first reception information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the printer transmits an inquiry to the first external device. This allows the user to know that the first print setting information can be stored as new print setting information. Also, when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored as new print setting information is received from the first external device, the printer stores the first print setting information as new print setting information. In this way, the user can easily store the first print setting information that has been used by the user multiple times in the printer in response to the inquiry. This can improve user convenience.

A computer program for implementing the above-mentioned printer, and a computer-readable medium storing the computer program, are also novel and useful. A method performed by the above-mentioned printer is also novel and useful. A system including the above-mentioned printer and an external device is also novel and useful.

1 shows the configuration of a communication system. Each table is shown. 1 shows a flowchart of a printer process. 1 shows a flowchart of a printer process. A sequence diagram of case A is shown. 5. A sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 5 is shown. 7 shows a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. A sequence diagram of case B is shown. A sequence diagram of case C is shown. A sequence diagram of case D is shown. 10 shows a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. 13 shows a transition diagram of each table in the second embodiment. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed on a PC. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed on a PC. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed on a PC. A sequence diagram of the third embodiment is shown. A sequence diagram of the fourth embodiment is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system 2; FIG. 1)
1, the communication system 2 includes a printer 10 and a plurality of PCs 100A to 100D. The printer 10 and the PCs 100A to 100D belong to the same LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) 4, and can communicate with each other via the LAN 4.

(Configuration of Printer 10)
The printer 10 is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device of the PCs 100A to 100D) capable of executing a printing function. Note that the printer 10 may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a FAX function, etc. in addition to the above functions. The printer 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a print execution unit 16, a communication interface (hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I/F") 20, and a control unit 30.

The operation unit 12 has a number of keys. By operating the operation unit 12, the user can input various instructions to the printer 10. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., an operation unit). The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet type or laser type. The communication I/F 20 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I/F 20 may be a wireless I/F or a wired I/F.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. The memory 34 stores a user table 38, a preset table 40, a setting value table 42, and a count table 44.

(Configuration of PC100A to 100D)
Each of the PCs 100A to 100D is used by a user of the printer 10. Each of the PCs 100A to 100D stores a user name U1 to U4 that identifies the user who uses that PC.

Each of PCs 100A, 100B, and 100D has a first type of OS (short for Operating System). The first type of OS is an OS capable of sending a Get-Print-Attributes command (hereinafter referred to as "GPA") that includes a preset request, such as macOS (registered trademark). The GPA command is a command that conforms to IPP (short for Internet Printing Protocol) and is a command that requests the transmission of capability information of the printer 10. The preset request is a command that requests the transmission of preset information stored in the printer 10. PC 100C has a second type of OS. The second type of OS is an OS capable of sending a GPA that does not include a preset request, such as Windows (registered trademark).

Each of the PCs 100A to 100D has an IPP program (not shown) installed from a server on the Internet. The IPP program is a program for generating commands (such as the above-mentioned GPA command) that comply with HTTP (short for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) and sending the commands to the printer 10. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned server is provided by a business entity other than the vendor of the printer 10. However, in a modified example, the above-mentioned server may be provided by the vendor of the printer 10. Note that each of the PCs 100A to 100D may already have the IPP program installed, without having to install the IPP program from the server.

(Contents of tables 38, 40, 42, and 44; FIG. 2)
Next, the contents of the tables 38 to 44 stored in the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the user table 38, the user name, password, registered preset name, preset request flag, and SPA (short for Set-Print-Attributes) flag are stored in association with each other. The user name and password are information used for user authentication and are registered by the administrator of the printer 10. The registered preset name is a preset name that identifies the preset information available to the user. The preset request flag is set to one of two values: "ON" indicating that a GPA including a preset request has been received, and "OFF" indicating that a GPA including a preset request has not been received. The SPA flag is set to one of two values: "ON" indicating that an SPA command has been received, and "OFF" indicating that an SPA has not been received. The SPA command is a command that requests the printer 10 to register or delete preset information.

The preset table 40 stores one or more pieces of preset information PI1 to PI5. The preset information is information in which the preset name and the print setting information are associated. The print setting information is information indicating four setting values corresponding to four print setting items (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "items"). Specifically, the print setting information includes a setting value corresponding to the item "paper size" (e.g., "A4", "B5", etc.), a setting value corresponding to the item "number of colors" (e.g., "monochrome" or "color"), a setting value corresponding to the item "print side" (e.g., "single-sided" or "double-sided"), and a setting value corresponding to the item "quality" (e.g., "Max", "High", or "Low"). In a modified example, the print setting information does not need to include all of the four setting values corresponding to the above four items, and may include, for example, three or less setting values corresponding to three or less of the above four items. The print setting information may also include a setting value corresponding to an item other than the above four items (e.g., paper type, etc.). Note that the preset information PI1, which includes the preset name DPR, is default preset information that is pre-registered at the time of shipment of the printer 10.

The setting value table 42 is a table showing the relationship between items, setting values, and code values. A code value is a value expressed as a 4-bit binary number. For example, the setting value "A3" of the item "paper size" corresponds to the code value "0000", and the setting value "A4" of the item "paper size" corresponds to the code value "0001". Also, for example, the setting value "monochrome" of the item "number of colors" corresponds to the code value "0000", and the setting value "color" of the item "number of colors" corresponds to the code value "0001".

In the count table 44, the user name, reception information, and number of times information are stored in association with each other. The reception information includes four code values corresponding to the above four setting values included in the CJ (short for Create-Job) command according to IPP. That is, the reception information includes a 16-bit (i.e., 4 bits x 4) value. The code value of the first 4 bits (e.g., "0001" in the top row) indicates the setting value corresponding to the item "paper size" (e.g., "A4"). The code value of the next 4 bits (e.g., "0001" in the top row) indicates the setting value corresponding to the item "number of colors" (e.g., "color"). The code value of the next 4 bits (e.g., "0000" in the top row) indicates the setting value corresponding to the item "print side" (e.g., "single-sided"). The code value of the last 4 bits (e.g., "0000" in the top row) indicates the setting value corresponding to the item "quality" (e.g., "Max"). In this way, since the count table 44 stores code values corresponding to the setting values, rather than the setting values themselves (i.e., text), the memory capacity for storing the count table 44 can be compressed. The CJ command is a command that requests the generation of a print job. The number information is information that indicates the number of times a CJ command containing the four setting values indicated by the reception information has been received.

(Printer processing; Figure 3)
Next, the process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The process of Fig. 3 is triggered by the reception of a GPA from any PC (e.g. 100A). In the following, the PC that sent the GPA will be referred to as the "target PC". Note that all of the following communications executed by the printer 10 are executed via the communication I/F 20. Therefore, the phrase "via the communication I/F 20" will be omitted below.

In S10, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the user name and password are included in the GPA. If the CPU 32 determines that the user name and password are included (YES in S10), it proceeds to S12, and if it determines that the user name and password are not included (NO in S10), it proceeds to S20.

In S20, the CPU 32 sends an authentication information request to the target PC to cause the target PC to display an authentication screen. The authentication screen is a screen for inputting a user name and password. When the processing of S20 ends, the CPU 32 ends the processing of FIG. 3. When a user name and password are input on the authentication screen, a GPA including the user name and password is sent from the target PC to the printer 10, and the processing of FIG. 3 is started again.

In S12, the CPU 32 executes user authentication. If the combination of the user name and password in the GPA is registered in the user table 38, the CPU 32 determines that the user authentication has been successful (YES in S12) and proceeds to S14. Hereinafter, a user name for which user authentication has been successful will be referred to as an "authenticated user name." On the other hand, if the above combination is not registered in the user table 38, the CPU 32 determines that the user authentication has failed (NO in S14) and proceeds to S50.

In S50, the CPU 32 sends authentication error information to the target PC. When the processing of S50 ends, the CPU 32 ends the processing of FIG. 3.

In S14, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a preset request is included in the GPA. If the CPU 32 determines that a preset request is included (YES in S14), it proceeds to S16, and if it determines that a preset request is not included (NO in S14), it proceeds to S40.

In S16, the CPU 32 refers to the user table 38 and determines whether the preset request flag associated with the authenticated user name is OFF. If the CPU 32 determines that the preset request flag indicates OFF (YES in S16), it proceeds to S18, and if the preset request flag indicates ON (NO in S16), it skips S18 and proceeds to S30.

At S18, the CPU 32 changes the preset request flag associated with the authenticated user name from OFF to ON.

In S30, the CPU 32 transmits capability information including preset information associated with the authenticated user name to the PC. Specifically, the CPU 32 first refers to the user table 38 to identify one or more preset names (e.g., DPR, RPR1) associated with the authenticated user name (e.g., U1). Next, the CPU 32 refers to the preset table 40 to identify one or more pieces of preset information (e.g., PI1, PI2) including the identified one or more preset names. Next, the CPU 32 transmits capability information including all printing conditions available to the printer 10 (i.e., all setting values corresponding to each item (see the setting value table 42 in FIG. 2)) and the identified one or more pieces of preset information to the PC. When the process of S30 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 3.

The process of S40 is the same as the process of S30, except that the capability information does not include preset information. When the process of S40 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 3.

(Printer processing; Figure 4)
Next, other processing executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The processing in Fig. 4 is triggered by the reception of a CJ from any PC (e.g., 100A). In the following, the PC that sent the CJ is referred to as the "target PC." The CJ also includes a user name stored in the target PC (hereinafter referred to as the "target user name").

In S100, the CPU 32 first refers to the user table 38 to determine whether the preset request flag associated with the target user name is ON. If the CPU 32 determines that the preset request flag is ON, it further refers to the user table 38 to determine whether the SPA flag associated with the target user name is OFF. If the preset request flag indicates ON and the SPA flag indicates OFF, the CPU 32 determines YES in S100 and proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if the preset request flag indicates OFF or the SPA flag indicates ON, the CPU 32 determines NO in S100, skips the processing of S102, and proceeds to S110.

In S102, the CPU 32 updates the count table 44. Specifically, the CPU 32 first identifies four setting values corresponding to the above four setting items (i.e., paper size, number of colors, print surface, and quality) from among a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items included in the CJ. The CPU 32 uses the setting value table 42 to identify a code value corresponding to each of the identified four setting values. The CPU 32 generates reception information by arranging the identified four code values in order. Next, the CPU 32 determines whether a combination of the target user name and the reception information has already been stored in the count table 44. If the CPU 32 determines that the combination has already been stored, it increments the number of times information associated with the combination by "1". On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines that the combination has not yet been stored, it associates the combination with the number of times information "1" and newly stores it in the count table 44.

In S110, the CPU 32 executes the print process according to a plurality of setting values for a plurality of setting items included in the CJ. Specifically, the CPU 32 receives image data representing the image to be printed from the target PC, converts the image data according to a plurality of setting values, and generates print data that can be interpreted by the print execution unit 16. The CPU 32 then supplies the print data to the print execution unit 16. As a result, printing is executed by the print execution unit 16.

The process of S120 is the same as the process of S100. In S122, the CPU 32 determines whether or not there is received information (hereinafter referred to as "target received information") associated with the number information indicating the predetermined threshold value "5" in the count table 44. If the CPU 32 determines that the target received information exists (YES in S122), it proceeds to S124, and if it determines that the target received information does not exist, it determines NO in S122 and ends the process of FIG. 4. Note that in a modified example, the threshold value used in S122 does not have to be "5", but may be any value from 2 to 4, or may be 6 or more.

In S124, the CPU 32 generates preset information. Specifically, first, the CPU 32 uses the setting value table 42 to reproduce four setting values from the four code values included in the target reception information. Then, the CPU 32 newly stores preset information including the preset name and the four reproduced setting values in the preset table 40. Here, the preset name is generated by the CPU 32. The CPU 32 further associates the preset name with the target user name and stores the preset name in the user table 38 as a registered preset name.

Note that the CPU 32 may skip the process of S102 in FIG. 4 if there is received information associated with the number of times information "5". That is, if the number of times information associated with the combination of the target user name and received information is "5" in S102, the CPU 32 skips the process of S102 in FIG. 4 (i.e., does not increment the number of times information to "6") and proceeds to S110. This is because the preset information corresponding to the combination has already been registered, so there is no need to increment the number of times information.

In S126, the CPU 32 sends a preset generation notification to the target PC, indicating that the preset information has been newly stored. The preset generation notification is a PrintStateMessage (hereinafter, referred to as "PSM") according to the IPP. When the process of S126 ends, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

(Specific cases: Figures 5 to 11)
Next, specific cases A to D realized by the processing in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Case A; Figures 5 to 7)
5, only the default preset information PI1 is stored in the preset table 40 of the printer 10. Therefore, in the user table 38, only the preset name DPR that identifies the preset information PI1 is associated with each user name as a registered preset name. Also, in the user table 38, the preset request flag and the SPA flag associated with the user name U1 each indicate "OFF".

When PC 100A accepts an IPP print operation to execute printing according to IPP at T10, it sends a GPA including a preset request to printer 10 at T12.

When the printer 10 receives the GPA from the PC 100A at T12 (triggering the processing in FIG. 3), it determines that the user name and password are not included in the GPA (NO at S10) and sends an authentication information request to the PC 100A at T14 (S20).

When the PC 100A receives an authentication information request from the printer 10 in T14, it displays an authentication screen in T16. When the PC 100A accepts input of the user name U1 and password P1 in T18, it sends a preset request and a GPA including the user name U1 and password P1 to the printer 10 in T20.

When the printer 10 receives a GPA from the PC 100A in T20 (triggering the process in FIG. 3), it determines in T22 that user authentication using the user name U1 and password P1 has been successful (YES in S10, YES in S12). Next, the printer 10 changes the preset request flag associated with the user name U1 in the user table 38 to "ON" in T24 (YES in S14, YES in S16, S18).

Next, the printer 10 identifies the preset name DPR associated with the user name U1 in the GPA from the user table 38, and identifies the preset information PI1 including the identified preset name DPR from the preset table 40. Then, in T26, the printer 10 sends the capability information including the identified preset information PI1 to the PC 100A (S30).

When the PC 100A receives the capability information from the printer 10 in T26, the PC 100A displays the print setting screen D1 in T30. The screen D1 on the left of FIG. 13 is the screen D1 in the initial state displayed on the PC 100A. The screen D1 includes a preset name selection field for selecting a preset name, a paper size selection field for selecting a paper size, a group of check boxes for selecting the number of colors, etc., and a number of copies selection field for selecting the number of copies to be printed. In the initial state of the screen D1, the preset name selection field displays the preset name DPR in the preset information PI1 included in the capability information of T26. The paper size selection field and the group of check boxes display the print setting information in the preset information PI1 (see "A4", "monochrome", "single-sided", and "Low" in the preset information PI1 in FIG. 2). Specifically, "A4" is displayed in the paper size selection field, and check boxes corresponding to "monochrome", "single-sided", and "Low" are checked. The number of copies selection field displays the predetermined default value "1".

In T32, PC 100A accepts the selection of "Color" instead of "Monochrome," the selection of "Max" instead of "Low," and the selection of the number of copies "2" (see screen D1 on the right in Figure 13). After that, in T40, PC 100A accepts the selection of the OK button, and in T50, sends a Validate-Job command (hereinafter referred to as "VJ") according to IPP to printer 10. The VJ command includes the user name U1 and the five setting values selected on screen D1 (i.e., "A4," "Color," "Single-sided," "Max," and "2 copies").

When printer 10 receives VJ from PC 100A at T50, it sends 200OK to PC 100B at T52.

When PC 100A receives 200OK from printer 10 at T52, it sends a CJ to printer 10 at T54. The CJ contains the same information as the information in the VJ.

When the printer 10 receives a CJ from the PC 100A at T54 (triggering the process in FIG. 4), it generates a job ID "J1" at T56, and sends a 200OK including the job ID "J1" to the PC 100A at T58.

In T60, the printer 10 updates the count table 44 (YES in S100, S102). Specifically, the printer 10 identifies four setting values other than the number of copies "2" (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", and "Max") from the five setting values included in the CJ. The printer 10 uses the setting value table 42 to identify four code values corresponding to the identified four setting values, and generates the reception information "0001 0001 0000 0000". The printer 10 then associates the user name U1, the reception information, and the number of times information "1" and stores them in the count table 44.

When PC 100A receives 200OK from printer 10 in T58, it sends a Send-Document command (hereinafter referred to as "SD") conforming to IPP to printer 10 in T62. The SD includes image data representing the image to be printed and the job ID "J1" in 200OK in T58.

When printer 10 receives the SD from PC 100A in T62, it executes printing in T64 (S110). Specifically, printer 10 converts the image data in the SD in accordance with the five setting values in the CJ to generate print data, and executes printing in accordance with the print data. Then, printer 10 sends 200OK to PC 100A in T66. After that, printer 10 determines that there is no received information associated with the number information "5" in count table 44 (YES in S120, NO in S122), and does not generate preset information.

(Continuation of Figure 5; Figure 6)
As shown in Fig. 6, the PC 100A accepts a driver print operation for executing printing using a print driver in T70. The print driver is not a program for executing printing according to IPP, but is a program for executing printing according to, for example, a proprietary protocol of the vendor of the printer 10. In the driver print operation, the same five setting values (i.e., "A4", "color", "single-sided", "Max", and "2 copies") as those in T32 of Fig. 5 are selected. Then, in T72, the PC 100A transmits a print request including the user name U1, image data, and the above five setting values to the printer 10. The print request is a print request according to a protocol (i.e., a method) different from IPP.

When printer 10 receives a print request from PC 100A in T72, it executes printing in T74. Specifically, printer 10 converts the image data included in the print request in accordance with the above five setting values included in the print request to generate print data, and executes printing in accordance with the print data. Here, printer 10 does not update count table 44. That is, when printer 10 receives a CJ that complies with IPP (T60 in FIG. 5), it updates count table 44, but does not update count table 44 even if it receives a print request that complies with a method other than IPP. For this reason, printer 10 can appropriately update count table 44 based only on commands that comply with IPP.

After that, the same process as T10 to T66 in FIG. 5 is repeated four times. As a result, in the count table 44, the number information "5" is stored in association with the user name U1 and the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000". In this case, the printer 10 determines that there is received information associated with the number information "5" (YES in S122), and generates preset information PI2 in T80 (S124). Specifically, the printer 10 first reproduces four setting values (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", and "Max") from the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000" using the setting value table 42. Then, the printer 10 generates preset information PI2 including the preset name RPR1 and the four setting values, and registers the preset information PI2 in the preset table 40. Furthermore, in T82, the printer 10 updates the user table 38 (S124). Specifically, the printer 10 stores the preset name RPR1 as a registered preset name in association with the user name U1.

At T84, the printer 10 sends a PSM conforming to IPP to the PC 100A (S126). The PSM includes a message indicating that new preset information has been registered, and the preset information PI2. Although not shown, the message and the preset information PI2 in the PSM are displayed on the PC 100A, and as a result, the user can know that the preset information PI2, which includes the settings that the user frequently uses, has been newly registered on the printer 10.

(Continuation of Figure 6; Figure 7)
Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 7, the same processes as T10 to T22 in Fig. 5 are executed. In this case, the printer 10 specifies the preset names DPR and RPR1 associated with the user name U1 in the GPA from the user table 38, and specifies the preset information PI1 including the preset name DPR and the preset information PI2 including the preset name RPR1 from the preset table 40. Then, the printer 10 transmits capability information including the two specified preset information PI1 and PI2 to the PC 100A in T100 (S30 in Fig. 3).

When PC 100A receives capability information from printer 10 in T100, it displays screen D1 in T102. The initial state of screen D1 is the same as the initial state of screen D1 in T30 of FIG. 5 (see screen D1 on the left in FIG. 13). The leftmost screen D1 in FIG. 14 is the same as the left screen D1 in FIG. 13. Here, when PC 100A accepts a pull-down selection for the preset selection field in screen D1 in T104, it displays a pull-down image as shown in screen D1 in the center of FIG. 14. The pull-down image includes the names of each preset included in the capability information (i.e. DPR, RPR1) and the string "New Registration".

When the PC 100A accepts the selection of the preset name RPR1 in the pull-down image in T104, as shown in the rightmost screen D2 in FIG. 14, in T106, it displays a print setting screen D2 showing each setting value in the preset information PI2 corresponding to the selected preset name RPR1 (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", "Max"). After that, when the OK button in screen D2 is accepted in T110, the processes of T120 to T128 are executed. The processes of T120 to T128 are the same as the processes of T50 to T58 in FIG. 5, except that the job ID and the number of copies are different. Then, the printer 10 executes T130 to T134 without incrementing the number of times information from "5" to "6". The processes of T130 to T134 are the same as the processes of T62 to T66 in FIG. 5, except that the image data and job ID are different.

As shown in the above case A, each time the printer 10 receives a CJ, it stores the number of times information in association with the received information (T60 in FIG. 5). Then, when the number of times information associated with the received information indicates "5", the printer 10 newly stores the preset information PI2 (T80 in FIG. 6). In this way, the printer 10 can automatically store the preset information PI2 that has been used multiple times by the user, even if the user does not perform an operation on the PC 100A to register the preset information PI2. This improves user convenience. Thereafter, the user can cause the printer 10 to execute printing according to each setting value indicated by the preset information PI2 by selecting the preset name RPR1 from the screen D1 (T104 in FIG. 7).

(Case B; Figure 8)
Next, referring to FIG. 8, case B will be described. In the initial state of case B, the same process as case A has been executed, and preset information PI2 has been registered in the preset table 40. In addition, the same process as case A has been executed between the PC 100B and the printer 10, and preset information PI3 (see FIG. 2) including the preset name RPR2 has been registered in the preset table 40. For this reason, in the user table 38, the preset name RPR1 is registered in association with the user name U1, and the preset name RPR2 is registered in association with the user name U2. In this way, the printer 10 stores the received information for each user and registers the preset information for each user. For this reason, the printer 10 can appropriately register the preset information according to the user.

Processing similar to T10 to T22 in FIG. 5 is executed between PC 100A and printer 10. In this case, printer 10 transmits capability information to PC 100A at T210 that includes two pieces of preset information PI1, PI2 associated with user name U1, of the three pieces of preset information PI1 to PI3 registered in preset table 40, but does not include preset information PI3 associated with user name U2 (S30 in FIG. 3). Subsequent processing is similar to T30 to T66 in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, processes similar to T10 to T22 in FIG. 5 are executed between PC 100B and printer 10. In this case, printer 10 transmits capability information to PC 100B at T220 that includes two pieces of preset information PI1, PI3 associated with user name U2, of the three pieces of preset information PI1 to PI3 registered in preset table 40, but does not include preset information PI2 associated with user name U1 (S30 in FIG. 3). Subsequent processes are similar to those of T30 to T66 in FIG. 5.

As shown in case B above, printer 10 registers preset information for each user, so it can send capability information including preset information appropriate for each user to each of PCs 100A and 100B. For this reason, a pull-down image showing preset information PI3 for the user of PC 100B (see screen D1 in the center of FIG. 14) is not displayed in PC 100A. For this reason, the user of PC 100A can easily select preset information PI2 for himself/herself. Also, a pull-down image showing preset information PI2 for the user of PC 100A is not displayed in PC 100B. For this reason, the user of PC 100B can easily select preset information PI3 for himself/herself.

(Case C; Figure 9)
Next, case C will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In case C, a PC 100C having a second type of OS is used. As described above, the second type of OS transmits a GPA that does not include a preset request.

T310 is the same as T10 in FIG. 5. In T312, PC 100C sends a GPA that does not include a preset request to printer 10. T314 to T318 are the same as T14 to T18 in FIG. 5, except that the user name and password are different. In T320, PC 100C sends a GPA that includes user name U3 and password P3 but does not include a preset request to printer 10.

T322 is the same as T22 in FIG. 5. In T324, the printer 10 sends capability information that does not include preset information to the PC 100C (NO in S14, S40 in FIG. 3).

When PC 100C receives the capability information from printer 10 in T324, it displays a print setting screen in T330. This print setting screen differs from screen D1 on the left of FIG. 13 in that the preset name selection field is blank, the paper size selection field shows the default "A4", none of the check boxes are checked, and the number of copies selection field shows the default value "1".

In T332, PC 100C accepts the selection of "B5", "Monochrome", "Single-sided", "High", and "2 copies", and in T340 accepts the selection of the OK button. In T350, PC 100C sends a VJ including those setting values to printer 10. T352 to T358 are the same as T52 to T58 in FIG. 5, except that the setting values and job ID are different.

The printer 10 determines that the preset request flag associated with the user name U3 is "OFF" (NO in S100 in FIG. 4), so it does not update the count table 44. The subsequent processing in T362 to T366 is the same as T62 to T66 in FIG. 5, except that the image data and job ID are different.

As shown in Case C above, PC 100C cannot send a preset request to printer 10. In other words, PC 100C cannot receive and use preset information from printer 10. Therefore, there is no need to store received information for registering preset information corresponding to the user of PC 100C. In order to prevent storing such unnecessary received information, printer 10 does not store the received information even if it receives CJ from PC 100C. This makes it possible to compress the amount of data that must be stored in memory 34 of printer 10.

(Case D; Figures 10 and 11)
Next, case D will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In case D, a PC 100D is used. T410 to T430 are the same as T10 to T30 in Figure 5, except that the user name and password are different.

PC 100D accepts the selection of "Double-sided" in T432 (see screen D1 in the center of FIG. 15), and accepts the selection of "New registration" in the pull-down image in T434. In this case, PC 100D displays input image N1 in T440. As shown in screen D1 on the far right of FIG. 15, input image N1 includes an input field for inputting a preset name. PC 100D accepts input of preset name IPR in T442. When the OK button in input image N1 is selected, PC 100D again sends GPA to printer 10 in T450, and again receives capability information from printer 10 in T452.

Then, PC 100D generates new preset information PI4. Specifically, PC 100D generates preset information PI4 indicating each setting value (i.e., "A4", "Monochrome", "Double-sided", "Low") in screen D1 that is displayed when "New Registration" is selected in T434. Then, in T470, PC 100D sends an SPA to printer 10 that includes user name U4, password P4, preset information PI1 included in the capability information of T452, and the new preset information PI4.

When printer 10 receives SPA from PC 100D at T470, it determines that preset information PI1 in SPA has already been registered in preset table 40, and does not execute the process of newly registering preset information PI1. Printer 10 also determines that preset information PI4 in SPA has not already been registered in preset table 40, and at T472 newly registers preset information PI4 in preset table 40.

Next, the printer 10 updates the user table 38 at T474 and T476. Specifically, the printer 10 changes the SPA flag associated with the user name U4 in the SPA from "OFF" to "ON" at T474. Also, the printer 10 stores the preset name IPR included in the preset information PI4 as a registered preset name in association with the user name U4 in the SPA at T476.

(Continuation of Figure 10; Figure 11)
T510 to T522 in Fig. 11 are the same as T410 to T422 in Fig. 10. In T526, the printer 10 transmits capability information including two pieces of preset information PI1 and PI4 to the PC 100D.

When PC 100D receives the capability information from printer 10 in T526, it displays print setting screen D1 in T530 and accepts the selection of "Color," "Max," and "2 Copies" in T532. T540 to T558 are the same as T40 to T58 in FIG. 5, except that the job ID and setting values are different.

The printer 10 determines that the SPA flag associated with the user name U4 is "ON" (NO in S100 in FIG. 4), so it does not update the count table 44. The subsequent processing in T562 to T566 is the same as T62 to T66 in FIG. 5, except that the image data and job ID are different.

As shown in case D above, the user of PC 100D can operate PC 100 to register preset information PI4 in printer 10 (T434, T442, T472 in FIG. 10). For users with detailed knowledge of IPP, there is no need to store the received information for registering the preset information. In order to prevent storing such unnecessary received information, printer 10 does not store the received information even when it receives CJ from PC 100D. This makes it possible to compress the amount of data that needs to be stored in memory 34 of printer 10.

(Correspondence)
The preset information is an example of "print setting information". The four items of paper size, number of colors, printing surface, and quality are examples of "M setting items". The five items including these four items and the number of copies are an example of "multiple setting items". "5" is an example of "predetermined value". CJ is an example of "print request". GPA is an example of "first predetermined command" and "second predetermined command". SPA is an example of "third predetermined command". The preset request flag and the SPA flag are examples of "first flag information" and "second flag information", respectively. PSM is an example of "notification information". The user name U1 and the user name U2 are examples of "first user identification information" and "second user identification information", respectively. The received information and the preset information PI2 in the top row of the count table 44 in FIG. 2 are examples of "first received information" and "first print setting information", respectively. The second received information from the top and preset information PI3 are examples of "second received information" and "second print setting information", respectively.

The processes of S18 and S30 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by the "third storage control unit" and the "print setting information transmission unit", respectively. The trigger process, the process of S102, the process of S110, the process of S124, and the process of S126 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by the "print request receiving unit", the "first storage control unit", the "print control unit", the "second storage control unit", and the "notification transmission unit", respectively. The process of T474 in FIG. 10 is an example of a process executed by the "fourth storage control unit".

(Second embodiment; FIG. 12)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In the second embodiment, the method by which the printer 10 registers preset information is different from that in the first embodiment.

When S110 in FIG. 4 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process in FIG. 4 without executing S120 to S126. Note that when the CPU 32 receives a CJ including a certain user name and each setting value that is the same as each setting value indicated by the certain received information after the number of times information associated with the combination of the certain user name and the certain received information reaches "5" (triggering the process in FIG. 4), it executes the process in S102 and increments the number of times information. That is, in this embodiment, the number of times information may exceed "5".

The CPU 32 also executes a process for registering preset information at a specified time at the beginning of each month (i.e., the 1st). Specifically, the CPU 32 first deletes all preset names other than the default preset name DPR from the user table 38. The CPU 32 further deletes all preset information other than the default preset information PI1 from the preset table 40. Note that if preset information registered in accordance with SPA is stored in the preset table 40, the preset information is not deleted from the preset table 40, and the preset name included in the preset information is not deleted from the user table 38.

Then, the CPU 32 identifies one user name (e.g., U1) from the count table 44, and further identifies one piece of reception information associated with the maximum number of times information equal to or greater than "5" from among one or more pieces of reception information associated with the user name. The CPU 32 then registers preset information in the preset table 40 based on the identified piece of reception information. The CPU 32 further registers the preset name included in the preset information in the user table 38 as a registered preset name, in association with the user name.

The CPU 32 performs the same process for the other user names in the count table 44. When the CPU 32 has completed the process for all user names, it deletes all information from the count table 44 (i.e., initializes the count table 44). By performing the above process every month, preset information including the settings that were most used by the user last month is registered for each user.

Figure 12 shows an example of the count table 44 for February. In this example, three pieces of received information are stored in association with the user name U1, and one piece of received information is stored in association with the user name U2. In this case, the CPU 32 registers preset information including the preset name RPR1 for the user name U1 based on the received information associated with the number of times information "6". The CPU 32 also registers preset information including the preset name RPR2 for the user name U2 based on the received information associated with the number of times information "5". Therefore, each user can use the preset information registered here in March.

After that, the count table 44 for March is generated. In this example, three pieces of received information are stored in association with the user name U1, and two pieces of received information are stored in association with the user name U2. In this case, the CPU 32 registers preset information including the preset name RPR3 for the user name U1, instead of the preset information including the preset name RPR1, based on the received information associated with the number of times information "10". The CPU 32 also registers preset information including the preset name RPR4 for the user name U2, instead of the preset information including the preset name RPR2, based on the received information associated with the number of times information "10". Therefore, each user can use the preset information registered here in April.

According to this embodiment, the printer 10 can register preset information including each setting value that was most used in a month. In particular, the printer 10 automatically deletes the registered preset information from the preset table 40 every month. This makes it possible to compress the amount of data that the memory 34 of the printer 10 must store.

(Correspondence)
The month of February and the month of March are examples of the "first specified period" and the "second specified period", respectively. In the February count table 44, the received information associated with the user name U1 and the number of times information "6" is an example of the "first received information". Also, the preset information registered based on the received information is an example of the "first print setting information". In the March count table 44, the received information associated with the user name U1 and the number of times information "10" is an example of the "third received information". Also, the preset information registered based on the received information is an example of the "third print setting information".

(Third embodiment; FIG. 16)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that in a situation where preset information should be generated (i.e., a situation where reception information associated with the number information "5" exists), a user is asked whether or not to generate preset information.

In the third embodiment, first, the same process as in FIG. 5 is executed. As a result, in the count table 44, the number information "1" is stored in association with the user name U1 and the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000" (see T60 in FIG. 5). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inquiry flag "OFF" is stored in association with the user name U1, the received information, and the number information "1". The inquiry flag indicates either "ON", which indicates that an inquiry is sent to inquire whether or not to generate preset information when a GPA including the associated user name is received, or "OFF", which indicates that the inquiry is not sent.

Then, the same process as T10 to T66 in FIG. 5 is repeated four times. As a result, in the count table 44, the number information "5" is stored in association with the user name U1 and the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000". In this case, the printer 10 determines that there is received information associated with the number information "5", and in T610, changes the inquiry flag associated with that received information to "ON".

After that, the same process as T10 to T22 in FIG. 5 is executed. In this case, the printer 10 identifies the preset name DPR associated with the user name U1 in the GPA from the user table 38, and identifies the preset information PI1 including the preset name DPR from the preset table 40. The printer 10 also identifies that the inquiry flag associated with the user name U1, the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000", and the number of times information "5" indicates "ON". Then, in T620, the printer 10 transmits capability information including the identified preset information PI1 and inquiry screen data representing an inquiry image D3 for inquiring the user whether to register a preset to the PC 100A. The inquiry screen data includes the four setting values "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", and "Max" indicated by the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000". Then, in T622, in response to the transmission of capability information including the inquiry screen data, the printer 10 changes the inquiry flag associated with the user name U1, the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000", and the count information "5" to "OFF".

When PC 100A receives the capability information from printer 10 in T620, it displays, in T624, a query screen D3 represented by the query screen data included in the received capability information. Query screen D3 includes a message asking the user whether or not to generate a preset, each setting value included in the received query screen data, a YES button, and a NO button.

When PC 100A accepts the selection of the YES button in inquiry screen D3 from the user in T626, it sends a GPA including a preset request, user name U1, password P1, and YES selection information to printer 10 in T630. The YES selection information includes each setting value in inquiry screen D3 (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", and "Max").

When the printer 10 receives the GPA from the PC 100A in T630, it determines that the GPA contains YES selection information. In this case, the printer 10 executes the same process as T80 to T84 in FIG. 6. Specifically, the printer 10 generates preset information PI2 including the preset name RPR1 and each setting value included in the received YES selection information (see T80). Then, the printer 10 updates the user table 38 by storing the preset name RPR1 as a registered preset name in association with the user name U1 in the user table 38 (see T82). Then, the printer 10 transmits a PSM conforming to the IPP to the PC 100A (see T84). Subsequent processes are the same as those from T100 onward in FIG. 7. Note that, instead of the process of T626, if the NO button in the inquiry screen D3 is selected, a GPA including NO selection information is transmitted to the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 does not generate preset information PI2. Then, the printer 10 sends capability information including the preset information PI1 to the PC 100A in response to the GPA including the above NO selection information (see T26 in Figure 5).

According to the above configuration, the printer 10 stores the number of times information in association with the received information each time it receives a CJ. Then, when the number of times information associated with the received information indicates "5", the printer 10 transmits the capability information including the inquiry screen data to the PC 100A (T620 in FIG. 16). For this reason, the user can know that the preset information PI2 can be stored by looking at the inquiry screen D3 (see T624). Also, the printer 10 stores the preset information PI2 when information indicating that the preset information should be stored as the preset information PI2 is received from the PC 100A (T630). In this way, the user can easily store the preset information PI2 used by the user multiple times in the printer 10 in response to selecting the YES button in the inquiry screen D3. For this reason, the convenience of the user can be improved. The PC 100A is an example of a "first external device" and a "second external device". The five setting values (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", "Max", and "1 copy") included in the CJ sent at T124 in FIG. 7, which is cited in FIG. 16, are examples of "specific information". The process of T620 in FIG. 16 and the processes of T80 and T82 in FIG. 6, which are cited in FIG. 16, are examples of processes executed by the "query sending unit" and the "second storage control unit", respectively.

(Fourth embodiment; FIG. 17)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the timing at which the inquiry screen data is transmitted.

In the fourth embodiment, first, the same processes as T10 to T66 in FIG. 5 are repeated four times. Then, the same processes as T10 to T60 in FIG. 5 are executed. As a result, in the count table 44, the number information "5" is stored in association with the user name U1 and the received information "0001 0001 0000 0000". The processes of T710 to T712 are the same as the processes of T62 to T64 in FIG. 5. Then, in T714, the printer 10 sends 200OK including the inquiry screen data to the PC 100A.

The processing of T716 to T718 is the same as the processing of T624 to T626 in FIG. 16. Then, in T720, PC 100A sends YES selection information to printer 10. The YES selection information includes user name U1 and each setting value in inquiry screen D3 (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", "Max").

When the printer 10 receives YES selection information from the PC 100A in T720, it executes the same processing as T80 to T84 in FIG. 6. The specific processing is the same as the processing of T80 to T84 in FIG. 6 cited in the third embodiment. The processing of T714 in FIG. 17 is an example of processing executed by the "query transmission unit."

Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

(Variation 1) The received information does not have to be a code value in which the setting value is encoded, but may be the setting value itself.

(Variation 2) The printer 10 may not update the count table 44 if the target user name included in the CJ is associated with preset information (hereinafter referred to as "target preset information") including four setting values corresponding to four items included in the CJ (i.e., paper size, number of colors, print surface, and quality) and has already been registered in the user table 38 and the preset table 40. Specifically, before executing the process of S100 in FIG. 4, the CPU 32 determines whether the target user name and the target preset information have been associated with each other and registered in the user table 38 and the preset table 40. If the CPU 32 determines that the target user name and the target preset information have been registered, the CPU 32 may skip the processes of S100 and S102 and proceed to S110. A similar determination may also be performed between the processes of S110 and S120. In this case, if the CPU 32 determines that the target user name and the target preset information have been registered, the CPU 32 may skip the processes of S120 to S126 and end the process of FIG. 4. In this modified example, even if a CJ is received that includes the four settings (i.e., "A4", "Monochrome", "Single-sided", and "Low") included in the default preset information PI1 that is preregistered when the printer 10 is shipped, the count table 44 does not need to be updated. This is because the preset information that includes the four settings has already been registered, so there is no need to store the number of times information.

(Variation 3) In S102 of FIG. 4, the printer 10 may not store the reception information in the count table 44 in association with the user name. For example, when the printer 10 receives a CJ including a first user name and a certain set of setting values, the printer 10 may store the number of times information "1" in association with the certain set of setting values, and then, when the printer 10 receives a CJ including a second user name different from the first user name and the same set of setting values, the printer 10 may increment the number of times information associated with the certain set of setting values to "2". In this case, the printer 10 does not store the registered preset name in association with the user name in the user table 38. Then, when the printer 10 receives a GPA from a PC, it transmits capability information including all preset information stored in the preset table 40 to the PC. In this variation, the processes of S10, S12, and S20 of FIG. 3 can be omitted. Generally speaking, the "first storage control unit" does not need to store the reception information and the number of times information in memory in association with the user identification information. The "second storage control unit" may not store the print setting information in memory in association with the user identification information. In addition, the "print setting information transmission unit" may transmit all the print setting information to the external device when the first specified command is received.

(Variation 4) The user table 38 does not need to include a preset request flag. In this case, the printer 10 only needs to determine whether the SPA flag is OFF in S100 and S120 of FIG. 4. In this variation, the "third memory control unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 5) The user table 38 does not need to include the SPA flag. In this case, the printer 10 only needs to determine whether the preset request flag is ON in S100 and S120 of FIG. 4. In this variation, the "fourth memory control unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 6) The process of S126 in FIG. 4 is not limited to the transmission of the PSM (T84 in FIG. 6), and may be, for example, the following process. When the printer 10 receives a signal including a preset information request according to the MIB (abbreviation of Management Information Base) from a PC, the printer 10 may transmit a response signal including the preset information to the PC. As a result, the preset information is displayed on the PC, and the user can know that the preset information has been newly registered in the printer 10. In this variation, the process of transmitting the response signal to the PC is an example of a process executed by the "notification transmission unit". In another variation, when the printer 10 receives a login request from the PC to log in to the web server in the printer 10 and the authentication is successful, the printer 10 may transmit status screen data indicating a status screen including the preset information to the PC. As a result, the status screen including the preset information is displayed on the PC, and the user can know that the preset information has been newly registered in the printer 10. In this variation, the process of transmitting the status screen data to the PC is an example of a process executed by the "notification transmission unit". In another variation, the process of S126 in FIG. 4 does not need to be executed. In this variation, the "notification sending unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 7) When the printer 10 receives a print request that conforms to a method other than the IPP method (for example, the print request of T72 in FIG. 6), the printer 10 may update the count table 44. That is, when a print request that conforms to a method other than the IPP method is received, the "first storage control unit" may store the number information in association with the reception information.

(Variation 8) In T124 of FIG. 7, instead of sending a CJ including five setting values (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", "Max", and "1 copy") to the printer 10, the PC 100A may send a CJ including the preset name RPR1 and one setting value "1 copy" to the printer 10. In this case, when the printer 10 receives the CJ, it identifies the four setting values (i.e., "A4", "Color", "Single-sided", and "Max") corresponding to the preset name RPR1 from the preset table 40. Then, in T132, the printer 10 converts the image data according to the identified four setting values and the one setting value "1 copy" included in the CJ to generate print data, and executes printing according to the print data. In this variation, the combination of the preset name RPR1 and the one setting value "1 copy" is an example of "specific information".

(Modification 9) In the above third embodiment, when the printer 10 receives a GPA from the PC 100A and determines that the inquiry flag indicates "ON", it transmits capability information including inquiry screen data to the PC 100A (see T620 in FIG. 16). Alternatively, the printer 10 may transmit only the inquiry screen data to the PC 100A in the above situation. In this case, when YES is selected on the inquiry screen D3, the PC 100A may transmit YES selection information to the printer 10. Then, when the printer 10 receives YES selection information from the PC 100A, it may execute the same process as T80 to T84 in FIG. 6 to generate preset information PI2. Then, the printer 10 may transmit capability information including the two pieces of preset information PI1 and PI2 to the PC 100A as a response to the GPA already received from the PC 100A (see T100 in FIG. 7).

(Variation 10) In each of the above embodiments, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executes the program 36 (i.e., software) to realize the processes in FIGS. 3 to 12 and 16 to 17. Alternatively, any of the processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.
The following items are elements of the claims as filed:
(Item 1)
1. A printer comprising:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a second storage control unit that stores, in the memory, first number-of-times information associated with first reception information and, when the first number-of-times information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from an external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the external device, from the external device via the communication interface, a specific print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information;
a print control unit that, when the specific print request is received from the external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values specified by the specification information included in the specific print request;
A printer comprising:
(Item 2)
the first storage control unit, each time the print request including user identification information and the plurality of setting values is received, associates the number of times information with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request, and stores the number of times information in the memory;
The second storage control unit
the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first user identification information and the first reception information, and in a first case where the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information;
The printer described in item 1, wherein second number of times information is stored in the memory in association with second user identification information different from the first user identification information and second received information, and in a second case in which the second number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, second print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the second received information is stored in the memory as new print setting information.
(Item 3)
The second storage control unit
In the first case, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the first user identification information;
In the second case, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the second user identification information;
The print setting information transmission unit
when the first predetermined command including the first user identification information is received from the external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, transmitting to the external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory and not including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory;
3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein, after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, when the first specified command including the second user identification information is received from the external device, the printer transmits to the external device one or more pieces of print setting information including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory and not including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory.
(Item 4)
The printer further comprises:
a third storage control unit that, when a second predetermined command requesting transmission of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the second predetermined command including user identification information, stores first flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, stores the number of times information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
The printer described in item 2 or 3, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information that is not associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request.
(Item 5)
The printer further comprises:
a fourth storage control unit that, when a third predetermined command requesting registration of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the third predetermined command including user identification information, stores second flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information not associated with the second flag information and the plurality of setting values, stores the number of times information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
A printer described in any one of items 2 to 4, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information associated with the second flag information and the multiple setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request.
(Item 6)
The first storage control unit
storing in the memory, each time the print request is received within a first predetermined period, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request is received within the first predetermined period in association with the reception information;
storing in the memory, in association with the reception information, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request has been received within the second predetermined period after the first predetermined period has elapsed;
The second storage control unit
When the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first reception information within the first predetermined period and the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 5, wherein when third number of times information is stored in the memory in association with third reception information different from the first reception information within the second specified period, and the third number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the specified value, third print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the third reception information is stored in the memory as new print setting information instead of the first print setting information.
(Item 7)
The printer further comprises:
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 6, comprising a notification sending unit that sends notification information indicating that new print setting information has been stored to another device when the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information.
(Item 8)
the first storage control unit stores the number information in the memory in association with the reception information every time the print request conforming to the IPP (abbreviation of Internet Printing Protocol) method is received;
8. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein when a print request according to a method other than the IPP method is received, the reception information and the number information are not stored.
(Item 9)
1. A printer comprising:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a query sending unit that sends, when first number information is stored in the memory in association with first reception information and the first number information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, a query to a first external device via the communication interface to ask a user whether or not to store first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information in the memory as new print setting information;
a second storage control unit that stores the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received from the first external device via the communication interface;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from a second external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the second external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the second external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the second external device, a first print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information from the second external device via the communication interface;
a print control unit that, when the first print request is received from the second external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values identified by the identification information included in the first print request;
A printer comprising:
(Item 10)
10. The printer according to item 9, wherein the inquiry sending unit sends the inquiry to the first external device when the first specified command is received from the first external device after the first number information reaches the specified value.
(Item 11)
The printer according to item 9, wherein when the first number of times information reaches the predetermined value in response to receiving a second print request from the first external device via the communication interface, the query sending unit sends the query to the first external device after printing of the image to be printed in response to the second print request is executed.
(Item 12)
the first storage control unit, each time the print request including user identification information and the plurality of setting values is received, stores the number information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
The second storage control unit
storing the first number of times information in the memory in association with first user identification information and the first received information, and in a first case in which the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received, storing the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer described in any one of items 9 to 11, in which second number of times information is stored in the memory in association with second user identification information different from the first user identification information and second received information, and in a second case in which the second number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information is received indicating that second print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the second received information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information.
(Item 13)
The second storage control unit
In the first case, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the first user identification information;
In the second case, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the second user identification information;
The print setting information transmission unit
when the first predetermined command including the first user identification information is received from the second external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, transmitting to the second external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory and not including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory;
13. The printer of claim 12, wherein when the first specified command including the second user identification information is received from the second external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, the printer transmits to the second external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory and not including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory.
(Item 14)
The printer further comprises:
a third storage control unit that, when a second predetermined command requesting transmission of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the second predetermined command including user identification information, stores first flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, stores the number of times information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
A printer as described in item 12 or 13, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information that is not associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request.
(Item 15)
The printer further comprises:
a fourth storage control unit that, when a third predetermined command requesting registration of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the third predetermined command including user identification information, stores second flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information not associated with the second flag information and the plurality of setting values, associates the number of times information with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request, and stores the number of times information in the memory;
A printer described in any one of items 12 to 14, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information associated with the second flag information and the multiple setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request.
(Item 16)
The first storage control unit
storing in the memory, each time the print request is received within a first predetermined period, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request is received within the first predetermined period in association with the reception information;
storing in the memory, in association with the reception information, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request has been received within the second predetermined period after the first predetermined period has elapsed;
The second storage control unit
when the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first reception information within the first predetermined period, the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received, storing the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer described in any one of items 9 to 15, wherein when third number of times information is stored in the memory in association with third received information different from the first received information within the second specified period, the third number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the specified value, and information is received indicating that third print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the third received information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information, the third print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information instead of the first print setting information.
(Item 17)
The printer further comprises:
A printer according to any one of items 9 to 16, further comprising a notification sending unit that sends notification information indicating that new print setting information has been stored to another device when the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information.
(Item 18)
the first storage control unit stores the number information in the memory in association with the reception information every time the print request conforming to the IPP (abbreviation of Internet Printing Protocol) method is received;
18. The printer according to any one of items 9 to 17, wherein when a print request according to a method other than the IPP method is received, the reception information and the number information are not stored.
(Item 19)
A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer includes:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
A computer,
Equipped with
The computer program causes the computer to operate in the following manner:
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a second storage control unit that stores, in the memory, first number-of-times information associated with first reception information and, when the first number-of-times information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from an external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the external device, from the external device via the communication interface, a specific print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information;
a print control unit that, when the specific print request is received from the external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values specified by the specification information included in the specific print request;
A computer program that functions as a
(Item 20)
A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer includes:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
A computer,
The computer program causes the computer to operate in the following manner:
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a query sending unit that sends, when first number information is stored in the memory in association with first reception information and the first number information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, a query to a first external device via the communication interface to ask a user whether or not to store first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information in the memory as new print setting information;
a second storage control unit that stores the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received from the first external device via the communication interface;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from a second external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the second external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the second external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the second external device, a first print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information from the second external device via the communication interface;
a print control unit that, when the first print request is received from the second external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values identified by the identification information included in the first print request;
A computer program that functions as a

2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Printer, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 16: Print execution unit, 20: Communication interface, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program, 38: User table, 40: Preset table, 42: Setting value table, 44: Count table, 100A-100D: PC

Claims (20)

1. A printer comprising:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, causes the memory to store frequency information indicating a number of times a print request including the M setting values has been received in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, the first storage control unit storing the frequency information in the memory each time the print request according to a predetermined method is received or each time the print request is received in a situation in which it is set that the frequency information should be stored;
a second storage control unit that stores, in the memory, first number-of-times information associated with first reception information and, when the first number-of-times information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from an external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the external device, from the external device via the communication interface, a specific print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information;
a print control unit that, when the specific print request is received from the external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values specified by the specification information included in the specific print request;
A printer comprising: the first storage control unit, each time the print request including user identification information and the plurality of setting values is received, stores the number information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
The second storage control unit
the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first user identification information and the first reception information, and in a first case where the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information;
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein second number of times information is stored in the memory in association with second user identification information different from the first user identification information and second received information, and in a second case where the second number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, second print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the second received information is stored in the memory as new print setting information. The second storage control unit
In the first case, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the first user identification information;
In the second case, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the second user identification information;
The print setting information transmission unit
when the first predetermined command including the first user identification information is received from the external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, transmitting to the external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory and not including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory;
3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein when the first specified command including the second user identification information is received from the external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, the printer transmits to the external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory and not including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory. The printer further comprises:
a third storage control unit that, when a second predetermined command requesting transmission of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the second predetermined command including user identification information, stores first flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, stores the number of times information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
A printer as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information that is not associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request. The printer further comprises:
a fourth storage control unit that, when a third predetermined command requesting registration of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the third predetermined command including user identification information, stores second flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information not associated with the second flag information and the plurality of setting values, associates the number of times information with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request, and stores the number of times information in the memory;
A printer as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information associated with the second flag information and the multiple setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request. The first storage control unit
storing in the memory, each time the print request is received within a first predetermined period, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request is received within the first predetermined period in association with the reception information;
storing in the memory, in association with the reception information, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request has been received within the second predetermined period after the first predetermined period has elapsed;
The second storage control unit
When the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first reception information within the first predetermined period and the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when third number of times information is stored in the memory in association with third reception information different from the first reception information within the second specified period, and the third number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the specified value, third print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the third reception information is stored in the memory as new print setting information instead of the first print setting information. The printer further comprises:
A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a notification sending unit that sends notification information indicating that new printing setting information has been stored to another device when the first printing setting information is stored in the memory as new printing setting information. the first storage control unit stores the number information in the memory in association with the reception information every time the print request conforming to the IPP (abbreviation of Internet Printing Protocol) method, which is the predetermined method , is received;
8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when a print request is received according to a method other than the IPP method, the reception information and the number information are not stored. 1. A printer comprising:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a query sending unit that sends, when first number information is stored in the memory in association with first reception information and the first number information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, a query to a first external device via the communication interface to ask a user whether or not to store first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information in the memory as new print setting information;
a second storage control unit that stores the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received from the first external device via the communication interface;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from a second external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the second external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the second external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the second external device, a first print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information from the second external device via the communication interface;
a print control unit that, when the first print request is received from the second external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values identified by the identification information included in the first print request;
A printer comprising: The printer according to claim 9, wherein the inquiry sending unit sends the inquiry to the first external device when the first specified command is received from the first external device after the first count information reaches the specified value. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the inquiry sending unit sends the inquiry to the first external device when the first count information reaches the predetermined value in response to receiving a second print request from the first external device via the communication interface, after printing of the image to be printed in response to the second print request is executed. the first storage control unit, each time the print request including user identification information and the plurality of setting values is received, associates the number of times information with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request, and stores the number of times information in the memory;
The second storage control unit
storing the first number of times information in the memory in association with first user identification information and the first received information, and in a first case in which the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received, storing the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer as described in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein second number of times information is stored in the memory in association with second user identification information different from the first user identification information and second received information, and in a second case in which the second number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information is received indicating that second print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the second received information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information. The second storage control unit
In the first case, the first print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the first user identification information;
In the second case, the second print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information in association with the second user identification information;
The print setting information transmission unit
when the first predetermined command including the first user identification information is received from the second external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, transmitting to the second external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory and not including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory;
13. The printer according to claim 12, wherein when the first predetermined command including the second user identification information is received from the second external device after the first print setting information and the second print setting information are stored in the memory, the printer transmits to the second external device the one or more pieces of print setting information including the second print setting information associated with the second user identification information in the memory and not including the first print setting information associated with the first user identification information in the memory. The printer further comprises:
a third storage control unit that, when a second predetermined command requesting transmission of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the second predetermined command including user identification information, stores first flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, stores the number of times information in the memory in association with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request;
A printer as described in claim 12 or 13, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information that is not associated with the first flag information and the plurality of setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request. The printer further comprises:
a fourth storage control unit that, when a third predetermined command requesting registration of print setting information is received via the communication interface, the third predetermined command including user identification information, stores second flag information in the memory in association with the user identification information;
the first storage control unit, when receiving the print request including the user identification information not associated with the second flag information and the plurality of setting values, associates the number of times information with the user identification information and the reception information included in the print request, and stores the number of times information in the memory;
A printer according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein when a print request is received that includes user identification information associated with the second flag information and the plurality of setting values, the reception information and the number information are not stored in association with the user identification information included in the print request. The first storage control unit
storing in the memory, each time the print request is received within a first predetermined period, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request is received within the first predetermined period in association with the reception information;
storing in the memory, in association with the reception information, the number of times information indicating the number of times the print request has been received within the second predetermined period after the first predetermined period has elapsed;
The second storage control unit
when the first number of times information is stored in the memory in association with the first reception information within the first predetermined period, the first number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received, storing the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information;
A printer as described in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein when third number of times information is stored in the memory in association with third received information different from the first received information within the second specified period, the third number of times information indicates a number of times of reception equal to or greater than the specified value, and information is received indicating that third print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the third received information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information, the third print setting information is stored in the memory as new print setting information instead of the first print setting information. The printer further comprises:
A printer according to any one of claims 9 to 16, further comprising a notification sending unit that, when the first printing setting information is stored in the memory as new printing setting information, sends notification information indicating that the new printing setting information has been stored to another device. the first storage control unit stores the number information in the memory in association with the reception information every time the print request conforming to the IPP (abbreviation of Internet Printing Protocol) method is received;
The printer according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein when a print request according to a method other than the IPP method is received, the reception information and the number information are not stored. A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer includes:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
A computer,
Equipped with
The computer program causes the computer to operate in the following manner:
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, causes the memory to store frequency information indicating a number of times a print request including the M setting values has been received in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, the first storage control unit storing the frequency information in the memory each time the print request according to a predetermined method is received or each time the print request is received in a situation in which it is set that the frequency information should be stored;
a second storage control unit that stores, in the memory, first number-of-times information associated with first reception information and, when the first number-of-times information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information as new print setting information;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from an external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the external device, from the external device via the communication interface, a specific print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information;
a print control unit that, when the specific print request is received from the external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values specified by the specification information included in the specific print request;
A computer program that functions as a A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer includes:
A print execution unit,
a memory capable of storing print setting information, the print setting information being information indicating M setting values corresponding to M setting items (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1);
A communication interface;
A computer,
The computer program causes the computer to operate in the following manner:
a first storage control unit that, each time a print request including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including the M setting items is received via the communication interface, stores in the memory, in association with reception information indicating M setting values corresponding to the M setting items among the plurality of setting values included in the print request, frequency information indicating a number of times the print request including the M setting values has been received;
a query sending unit that sends, when first number information is stored in the memory in association with first reception information and the first number information indicates a number of receptions equal to or greater than a predetermined value greater than 1, a query to a first external device via the communication interface to ask a user whether or not to store first print setting information indicating M setting values indicated by the first reception information in the memory as new print setting information;
a second storage control unit that stores the first print setting information in the memory as new print setting information when information indicating that the first print setting information should be stored in the memory as new print setting information is received from the first external device via the communication interface;
a print setting information transmission unit that transmits, when a first predetermined command is received from a second external device via the communication interface after the first print setting information is stored in the memory, one or more pieces of print setting information including the first print setting information stored in the memory to the second external device via the communication interface;
a print request receiving unit that receives, when the first print setting information is selected from the one or more print setting information in the second external device after the one or more print setting information are transmitted to the second external device, a first print request including specification information for specifying a plurality of setting values including the M setting values indicated by the first print setting information from the second external device via the communication interface;
a print control unit that, when the first print request is received from the second external device, causes the print execution unit to print an image to be printed in accordance with the plurality of setting values identified by the identification information included in the first print request;
A computer program that functions as a

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