Information processing apparatus and method for information processing apparatus for executing print driver maintenance operations

Abstract

An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus includes a database configured to associate and manage a command identifier and a maintenance command, an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising:
 a database configured to associate and manage a command identifier and a maintenance command;   an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file.   
     
     
         2 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, by using a model identifier acquired from the printing apparatus and the command identifier, the acquisition unit acquires a corresponding maintenance command from the database. 
     
     
         3 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein, by using only the command identifier if the database does not manage a maintenance command by model, the acquisition unit acquires a corresponding maintenance command from the database. 
     
     
         4 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit error data to the printing apparatus to enable the printing apparatus to make an error notification, if the acquisition unit fails to acquire the maintenance command. 
     
     
         5 . An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a Universal Serial Bus cable, the information processing apparatus comprising:
 a database configured to associate and manage a command identifier and a maintenance command;   an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus via the Universal Serial Bus cable according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file,   wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit error data to the printing apparatus to enable the printing apparatus to make an error notification, if the acquisition unit fails to acquire the maintenance command.   
     
     
         6 . A method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus, the method comprising:
 associating and managing in a database a command identifier and a maintenance command;   acquiring from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file; and   transmitting the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file.   
     
     
         7 . A method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a Universal Serial Bus cable, the method comprising:
 associating and managing in a database a command identifier and a maintenance command;   acquiring from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file;   transmitting the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus via the Universal Serial Bus cable according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file; and   transmitting error data to the printing apparatus to enable the printing apparatus to make an error notification, if the maintenance command fails to be acquired.   
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to execute a method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printer, the method comprising:
 associating and managing in a database a command identifier and a maintenance command;   acquiring from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file; and   transmitting the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file.   
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to execute a method for an information processing apparatus connected to a printer via a Universal Serial Bus cable, the method comprising:
 associating and managing in a database a command identifier and a maintenance command;   acquiring from the database the maintenance command corresponding to a command identifier designated by an application and acquired via a spooler according to a port monitor that functions based on an expansion file;   transmitting the acquired maintenance command to the printing apparatus via the Universal Serial Bus cable according to the port monitor that functions based on the expansion file; and   transmitting error data to the printing apparatus to enable the printing apparatus to make an error notification, if the maintenance command fails to be acquired.