An information processing apparatus includes a printer driver configured to generate a print command compliant with a predetermined printing protocol based on print data obtained from a data generation application, one or more extension modules configured to generate a print command compliant with another printing protocol different from the predetermined printing protocol, a storage unit configured to store information associating the one or more extension modules to be used for generating the print command compliant with said another printing protocol with the printer driver, and an output unit configured to output the print command compliant with said another printing protocol, the print command being obtained through processing of the print data obtained by the printer driver, and the processing being performed by the one or more modules indicated by the information.

An information processing apparatus includes a printer driver configured to generate a print command compliant with a predetermined printing protocol based on print data obtained from a data generation application, one or more extension modules configured to generate a print command compliant with another printing protocol different from the predetermined printing protocol, a storage unit configured to store information associating the one or more extension modules to be used for generating the print command compliant with said another printing protocol with the printer driver, and an output unit configured to output the print command compliant with said another printing protocol, the print command being obtained through processing of the print data obtained by the printer driver, and the processing being performed by the one or more modules indicated by the information.

When a general-use printing program receives a print instruction to cause a printer to execute printing of an image, a supporting program receives a print parameter used for processing intermediate image data. When the print parameter includes a setting of image combining of combining a watermark with an image subjected to printing in accordance with the print instruction, the supporting program causes a PC to generate a watermark to be combined with the image subjected to printing.

Devices, systems, and methods for managing a print preview receives a first preview request; configures a filter pipeline; obtains a job flow; generates a first parts list based at least on the first preview request and the job flow; determines whether the filter pipeline is clear of parts; processes one or more parts listed in the first parts list using the filter pipeline; receives a second preview request; determines whether the one or more parts listed in the first parts list of the first preview request can be used in the second preview request; generates a second parts list based on the second preview request; determines whether the filter pipeline is clear of the one or more parts listed in the first parts list; and processes one or more parts listed in the second parts list using the filter pipeline.

A print output control device operably connected to a printer, is configured to periodically check a first buffer sequentially storing print data received from the printer; accumulate, when the print data is stored in the first buffer, the stored print data in a second buffer; store, when status information on the printer is included in the print data, the status information in a status storage unit; store, when a first function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the first function; and store, when a second function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer from when the second function is executed to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the second function.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a first processing stage device to process data, a second processing stage device to process the processed data, and a control device. The control device may access first performance information of the first processing stage device, determine, from the accessed first performance information, an operational state of the first processing stage device, and determine whether a countermeasure is to be taken based on the determined operational state of the first processing stage device, in which the countermeasure is to improve the operational state of the first processing stage device. The control device may also, based on a determination that a countermeasure is to be taken, output an instruction for the countermeasure to be implemented.

When a general-use printing program receives a print instruction to cause a printer to execute printing of an image, a supporting program receives a print parameter used for processing intermediate image data. When the print parameter includes a setting of image combining of combining a watermark with an image subjected to printing in accordance with the print instruction, the supporting program causes a PC to generate a watermark to be combined with the image subjected to printing.

An apparatus for configuring a printer filter pipeline is provided. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The processor executes the instructions to drive a printer filter pipeline manager to load a custom printer filter manager based on a printer filter configuration file provided by a printer driver and to drive the custom printer filter manager to load a custom printer filter based on custom printer filter configuration information comprising information related to a custom printer filter defined by a user.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a first processing stage device to process data, a second processing stage device to process the processed data, and a control device. The control device may access first performance information of the first processing stage device, determine, from the accessed first performance information, an operational state of the first processing stage device, and determine whether a countermeasure is to be taken based on the determined operational state of the first processing stage device, in which the countermeasure is to improve the operational state of the first processing stage device. The control device may also, based on a determination that a countermeasure is to be taken, output an instruction for the countermeasure to be implemented.

When a general-use printing program receives a print instruction to cause a printer to execute printing of an image, a supporting program receives a print parameter used for processing intermediate image data. When the print parameter includes a setting of image combining of combining a watermark with an image subjected to printing in accordance with the print instruction, the supporting program causes a PC to generate a watermark to be combined with the image subjected to printing.