Abstract: An apparatus stores a setting value for each print setting item as a basic print setting for a print job according to an instruction of operation from an operator entered via a print setting screen, and sets a setting value for one specific print setting item as exception setting, according to an instruction of operation from the operator entered via an exception page setting screen for designating a setting value for the exception setting different from the setting value for the basic print setting of the print job, with respect to the print setting item, which is entered according to the operation instruction to the one specific print setting item of plural print setting items displayed on the print setting screen. The apparatus defines switching of the print setting for the print job, according to the basic print setting and the exception setting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling printing including setting a print attribute to a specific page or a specific page range in a print job, permitting an application to produce print data, analyzing the print data and searching for a page break code in a case where the application is permitted to produce the print data and the print attribute in the print job is set, and inserting, into the print data, a print attribute command to specify the print attribute, wherein the print attribute command is inserted according to the result of the search for the page break code.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a mechanism which gives an output result desired by the user when printing a document comprising a plurality of paper sizes in mixture. In the information processing unit disclosed in the embodiments, when paper sizes are mixed, a printing job having job attributes including standard paper information for primarily specifying a direction of paper feeding as to the paper sizes placeable in longitudinal and lateral directions in a printing control unit. In the printing control unit, it is determined from which of a plurality of paper feeding means permitting both longitudinal and lateral paper arrangement the paper is to be fed, regarding the standard paper information and the paper sizes placeable longitudinally and laterally.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which includes a setting unit for setting parameters of a plurality of print properties to be assigned to file data stored in a folder, and for setting changeability information indicating whether the respective parameters are allowed to be changed when file data is stored in the folder; and a storage unit for storing the parameters and the changeability information in association with the folder.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, connectable to an information forming system having plural devices corresponding to plural processing stages including at least a printing stage and a bookbinding stage. Function information indicating abilities regarding plural function items of the plural devices are held, and a user interface for function selection is provided by displaying options based on contents of the function items of plural devices corresponding to one processing stage in accordance with the held function information. Then, available devices are narrowed down based on the selection of the options, and a device to be used in the processing stage is determined.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus displays a screen for enabling an operator to select settings for controlling a print output from an image forming apparatus and post-processing applied to a printed product by an independent post-processing apparatus. The post-processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain post-processing information from the post-processing apparatus and a display control unit configured to change contents of the setting screen based on obtained function information and display a changed setting screen. The image forming apparatus includes a determining unit configured to determine based on obtained function information whether the image forming apparatus can execute a print output accompanied by post-processing using the post-processing apparatus, and control a display unit to display a setting screen for controlling the post-processing function when the image forming apparatus can execute the print output accompanied by post-processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus having ability information of an available finisher, including a detection unit which detects the stop state of post-processing by the first finisher, a search unit which, when the detection unit detects the stop of the first finisher, searches a finisher that can alternatively perform processing to be executed by the first finisher based on the ability information, and a generation unit which generates post-processing setting information for the second finisher found by the search unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus comprises: a loading unit which loads function information representing a function of the post-printing processing device; an identification unit which identifies a printing function processible by the printing device and a post-processing function processible after printing by the post-printing processing device; a display control unit which displays a setting window for setting the printing function and post-processing function; a data generation unit which generates printing data to be printed by the printing device; and a setting information generation unit which generates post-processing setting information subjected to post-printing processing by the post-printing processing device, wherein the printing data is transmitted to the printing device, and the post-processing setting information is transmitted to the post-printing processing device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a technique for eliminating adverse influences when a mismatch between the firmware version of a printer and the driver version has occurred. A printer driver acquires the ID and version information of firmware from a printer. If acquisition is successful, the printer driver searches a firmware management table on the basis of the acquired firmware related information so as to check if the firmware is compatible to a new function. If the firmware is compatible to the new function, the printer driver provides a user interface that allows a setup associated with the new function; otherwise, it masks a setting control of the new function.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a mechanism which gives an output result desired by the user when printing a document comprising a plurality of paper sizes in mixture. In the information processing unit disclosed in the embodiments, when paper sizes are mixed, a printing job having job attributes including standard paper information for primarily specifying a direction of paper feeding as to the paper sizes placeable in longitudinal and lateral directions in a printing control unit. In the printing control unit, it is determined from which of a plurality of paper feeding means permitting both longitudinal and lateral paper arrangement the paper is to be fed, regarding the standard paper information and the paper sizes placeable longitudinally and laterally.

Abstract: The invention provides a printing system capable of fully utilizing plural printing apparatus, in printing data by dispersion to the plural printing apparatus. For this purpose, the printing system selects two or more printers to be used, according to the set print environment, then generates a specification describing file by constructing a virtual printer from the selected printing apparatus, and generates an image for setting the print attribute based on such file.

Abstract: In systems for purchasing products through a network, when purchasers makes a group for purchasing products in bulk, a system is provided that makes it easy for each member of the bulk purchase group and the seller of the products to use the group bulk purchase. For this purpose, when a person makes a request for a group bulk purchase, ID for the group bulk purchase is issued. When the purchase using this ID satisfies a predetermined condition, a special favor is given to each person who has requested the purchase.

Abstract: A network scanner system and original reading method, which can efficiently use time and hardware resources, and can efficiently input originals consisting of a plurality of pages. When a personal computer (100) reads originals using N scanners (200) to which are connected via a LAN and each of which has an automatic document feeding facility, for example, 100 pages of originals are divided into three groups in correspondence with three scanners (200) used for reading, a re-arranging order of three bundles of divided originals set on the three scanners is input to the personal computer (100), and thereafter, a reading instruction for reading the divided originals is supplied to the three scanners (200). In accordance with this instruction, the scanners are controlled to read the set originals.