Printing system and printing method

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a printing system includes an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a memory device that stores information on an application program and information on a default print profile in association with each other. The information processing apparatus obtains, where printing is to be executed by the image forming apparatus, from the memory device, the information on the default print profile in association with the application program used to generate printable data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A printing system, comprising:
 an information processing apparatus; and   an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network,   the information processing apparatus including
 a first communication interface, 
 a memory device that stores information on an application program and information on a default print profile in association with each other, and 
 a first processor that
 where data generated by using an application program is to be printed by the image forming apparatus, 
 obtains, from the memory device, the information on the default print profile in association with the information on the application program used to generate the data, and 
 sends a print job to the image forming apparatus via the first communication interface, the print job including the obtained information on the default print profile and the data, 
 
   the image forming apparatus including
 a second communication interface, 
 a printer device that forms an image on a sheet, and 
 a second processor that receives the print job from the information processing apparatus via the second communication interface, and then controls the printer device to form an image based on the data on the sheet on the basis of the default print profile. 
   
     
     
         2 . The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the information on the application program includes a name indicating the application program, and   the memory device stores the name of the application program and the information on the default print profile in association with each other.   
     
     
         3 . The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first processor
 checks information on the application program used to generate the data against the information on the application program stored in the memory device, and 
 obtains from the memory device, where the information on the application program used to generate the data matches the information on the application program stored in the memory device as a result of the check, the information on the default print profile in association with the matching information on the application program. 
   
     
     
         4 . The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first processor determines whether to edit the default print profile is allowed or not.   
     
     
         5 . The printing system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the memory device stores a printer driver program, the printer driver program including the information on the default print profile in association with the information on the application program, and   the first processor
 updates the default print profile, and 
 transmits the printer driver program to another information processing apparatus connected to the network via the first communication interface, the printer driver program including information on the updated default print profile. 
   
     
     
         6 . The printing system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the information processing apparatus further includes a display, and   the first processor
 starts the printer driver program, and thereby displays a default print profile setting window on the display, the default print profile setting window being used to input a print profile for each application program, and 
 stores in the memory device, the print profile input by using the default print profile setting window displayed on the display, as the default print profile, in association with the information on the application program. 
   
     
     
         7 . The printing system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the first processor
 where data generated by using an application program is to be printed by the image forming apparatus, 
 starts a printer driver program, and thereby obtains, from the memory device, the information on the default print profile in association with the information on the application program used to generate the data, 
 displays a print instruction window on the display, the print instruction window including the default print profile of the obtained information, and 
 sends, in response to a print start instruction input by using the print instruction window displayed on the display, a print job to the image forming apparatus via the first communication interface, the print job including the obtained information on the default print profile and the data. 
   
     
     
         8 . A printing method of a printing system, the printing system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network, the printing method comprising:
 storing, in a memory device of the information processing apparatus, information on an application program and information on a default print profile in association with each other;   by the information processing apparatus, where data generated by using an application program is to be printed by the image forming apparatus,
 obtaining, from the memory device, the information on the default print profile in association with the information on the application program used to generate the data, and 
 instructing the image forming apparatus via the network to print the data on the basis of the default print profile of the obtained information; and 
   forming, by the image forming apparatus, an image based on the data on a sheet on the basis of the default print profile.   
     
     
         9 . The printing method according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the step of obtaining the information on the default print profile includes
 checking information on the application program used to generate the data against the information on the application program stored in the memory device, and 
 obtaining from the memory device, where the information on the application program used to generate the data matches the information on the application program stored in the memory device as a result of the check, the information on the default print profile in association with the matching information on the application program. 
   
     
     
         10 . The printing method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 storing a printer driver program in the memory device, the printer driver program including the information on the default print profile; and   transmitting the printer driver program to another information processing apparatus connected to the network, the printer driver program including information on the default print profile.