JP2000076031A - Device and method for controlling printer and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce memory capacity required for setting various kinds of information. SOLUTION: Base image data Dp1, additional image data Dp2 and retrieval map data Dm are prepared at a printer driver 53 stored in a RAM 33. The base image data Dp1 show the main body part of a printer, and the additional image data Dp2 show an additional part excluding the main body part of the printer from the desired printer picture to be displayed. The additional image data Dp2 are prepared for plural kinds corresponding to the printing attributes (paper size and printing attribute) of the printer. A CPU specifies the file name of the data Dp1 from the retrieval map data Dm while using the input data showing the printing attributes as a key. Next, the data Dp1 and the data Dp2 based on the file name are read out of the RAM 33, both the data are synthesized and the desired picture is displayed on a CRT. Therefore, even when the quantity of information to be shown by the picture is increased, only the additional image data Dp are newly required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a display device and an input device, and displays a screen area for data input on the display device, based on input data from the input device in accordance with the contents of the screen area. A technology for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data created by the computer is to be printed on the printer, it is necessary to incorporate a device driver for the printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) into the computer. The printer driver is a computer program that controls various types of information about the printer, such as the functions and interfaces of the printer, font information, and control codes, in the computer, and controls the printer. The printer driver is prepared for each printer model to be printed.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper setting dialog box in a conventional printer driver.
The operator can operate the computer to activate a printer driver incorporated in the computer and set various information. The sheet setting for setting information relating to a sheet, which is one of such information, is performed in FIG. Open this dialog box.

As shown in FIG. 16, a dialog box includes an area A1 for setting a printing purpose such as for a word processor or a spreadsheet, an area A2 for setting a paper size, and
An area A3 of a pictorial diagram showing the outer shape of the printer three-dimensionally is displayed. The picture of the printer visually informs the operator of the paper direction, paper size, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG.
When "A4 210 x 297 mm" is selected, the picture of the printer in the area A3 is one in which the sheets are set in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When “A4 horizontal 297 × 210 mm” is selected, the area A
The picture of the printer No. 3 is one in which paper is set in the horizontal direction. The display using such a dialog box enhances the usability of the printer driver.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the first image data representing a printer in which paper is set in the vertical direction and the second image data representing a printer in which paper is set in the horizontal direction. As described above, it is necessary to prepare image data individually for each pattern of the pictorial diagram displayed in the area A3, and there is a problem that a large memory capacity for storing the image data is required. In particular, as the amount of information indicated by pictorial diagrams increases, the types of required image data increase, and the memory capacity for storing the image data becomes extremely large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to reduce the memory capacity required for setting various information.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve such problems, the device of the present invention comprises a display device and an input device, and displays a screen area for data input on the display device. A printer control device for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer based on the input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen area, and in the screen area according to the input data. A picture display control means for displaying an image showing at least a part of the contents of the various kinds of information with a picture, wherein the picture display control means is not changed by the change of the various kinds of information for printing in the picture. A base image data obtaining means for obtaining base image data representing an image of the base portion; and displaying an image of an incidental portion excluding the base portion in the pictorial diagram. Ancillary image data obtaining means for obtaining ancillary image data in accordance with various types of information according to the input data; and a pictorial image for forming image data of an image showing the pictorial image by combining the base image data and the ancillary image data Data forming means.

According to this configuration, when various information set according to the input data is changed, the image data corresponding to the base portion of the picture to be displayed may be one data, and the base part of the picture is excluded. It is sufficient to change only the additional image data corresponding to the additional part in accordance with the values of various information.
For this reason, even if the amount of information indicated by the pictorial diagram increases and the type of required image data increases, only the additional image data for the image of the additional portion in the pictorial diagram is newly required. Therefore, there is an effect that a memory capacity required for setting various information can be reduced.

In the printer control device having the above-mentioned configuration, the printer control device further includes a storage unit for storing bitmap data as the base image data in advance, and the base image data acquisition unit reads the base image data from the storage unit. Can be provided.

According to this configuration, the base image data can be obtained by reading the bitmap format base image data from the storage unit by the data reading unit.

In the printer control device having the above-mentioned configuration, the printer control device further comprises bitmap data storage means for storing a plurality of bitmap data as the additional image data in association with the contents of the various types of information. The means may include a selection means for selecting one bitmap data from the plurality of bitmap data in accordance with various information according to the input data.

[0012] According to this configuration, a plurality of auxiliary image data are stored in a bitmap format, and one bitmap data is selected from them according to various information according to the input data by the selection means. Can be obtained.

[0013] In the printer control device having the above-described configuration, the supplementary image data acquiring means includes a means for rendering the supplementary image data corresponding to the various information by executing a process according to a predetermined computer program. You can also.

According to this configuration, the accompanying image data can be drawn by the computer program. For this reason, the data amount required for forming the additional image data can be reduced. Therefore, the memory capacity required for setting various information can be further reduced.

In the above-described printer control device, the base image data may represent a printer main body.

The form of the printer body is unique depending on the type of the printer, and does not change depending on the contents of various information. Therefore, it is preferable that the base image data represents the printer body.

According to the method of the present invention, while displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, various information for printing in a predetermined printer is determined based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. A printer control method for setting, comprising: (a) displaying, in the screen area, an image showing at least a part of the contents of various information according to the input data with a pictorial diagram; (B) obtaining base image data representing an image of a base portion which does not change even when the various information for printing is changed in the pictorial diagram; and (c) ancillary portion excluding the base portion in the pictorial diagram. (C) obtaining supplementary image data representing the image of (c) according to various information according to the input data; and (d) combining the base image data and the supplementary image data. It is characterized by comprising a step of forming an image data of an image representing the pictorial and.

According to the method of this configuration, as in the case of the above-described apparatus, there is an effect that the memory capacity required for setting various information can be reduced.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, while displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, various types of information for printing in a predetermined printer are based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for setting the image data, wherein (a) an image showing at least a part of various information according to the input data with a pictorial diagram in the screen area; A function for displaying, wherein the function (a) includes: (b) a function of obtaining base image data representing an image of a base portion which does not change even when the various information for printing is changed in the pictorial diagram; Obtaining auxiliary image data representing an image of an auxiliary part excluding the base part in the picture according to various information according to the input data A computer-readable recording recording a computer program for causing a computer to implement the function and (d) forming the image data of the image showing the pictorial image by combining the base image data and the supplementary image data. Features a medium.

According to the recording medium having the above-described structure, the memory capacity required for setting various information can be reduced as in the apparatus and method of the present invention.

[0021]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. This aspect is an aspect as a program supply device that supplies a computer program for causing a computer to realize the functions of each step or each unit of the above-described invention via a communication path. In such an embodiment, the above-described method and apparatus can be realized by placing the program on a server or the like on a network, downloading the necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
This computer system includes a computer 10, and a CRT display 12 and a printer 14 as peripheral devices. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18 as an input device, and a mouse 20.
Is provided. The computer body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of the computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer body 16 includes a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a mouse interface 34, which are interconnected by a bus around a CPU 31 as a central processing unit.
Keyboard interface 35, FDC36, HDC3
7, a CRTC 38, a printer interface 39, and an I / O port 40.

The ROM 32 is a read-only memory for storing various built-in programs and the like. RAM
A read / write memory 33 stores various data. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that controls exchange of data and the like with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is a keyboard 18
It is an interface that controls key input from. FDC3
Reference numeral 6 denotes a floppy disk controller that controls a floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. HDC
A hard disk controller 37 controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41. CRTC38
Is a CRT display 12 for displaying necessary data and the like.
This is a CRT controller that controls signal output to the CRT. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 has a serial output port, and the modem 4
4 and via this modem 44 to a public telephone line 46. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44, and is connectable to a specific server 48.

In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41,
When power is supplied to the computer main body 16 in accordance with the loader written in the boot block of D41, the RAM
33 are loaded into a predetermined area. Also, the printer 14
Printer drivers prepared for each model are stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and are installed from the floppy disk drive 24 to the computer main body 16 by activating a predetermined installation program. This installed printer driver is H
The information is stored in the DD 41 and is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 33 together with the operating system when the computer main body 16 is powered on.

By executing the printer driver by the CPU 31, various components of the present invention are realized.
The software program of the printer driver is stored in the floppy disk 22 as described above, but may be replaced with another portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, or the like. (Portable recording medium). Further, the above-described software program can be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring the program data to the RAM 33 or the HDD 41. .

A description will now be given of how printing is performed by the computer system having the hardware configuration described above. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 to printing. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via a video driver 52 while processing the image by an application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. Also,
When the application program 51 issues a print command, a printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal that can be printed by the printer 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 5
3, a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and the printer 14 generates color in the image information (gradation data) converted into color information in dot units. A color correction module 55 for performing color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the above, a halftone that generates so-called halftone image information that expresses density in a certain area based on the presence or absence of ink in dot units from the image information after color correction A module 56 is provided. Further, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided inside the printer driver 53. Various types of information for printing include information on basic settings such as print resolution and color correction, and information on paper settings such as paper size and paper direction. The information of the color correction set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55. The information setting module 57 displays an image indicating the contents of the setting on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52.

Further, inside the information setting module 57, there are provided a base image data obtaining section 57a for obtaining base image data to be described later and an auxiliary image data obtaining section 57b for obtaining additional image data to be described later. Each image data obtained by both data acquisition units 57a and 57b is also sent to the video driver 52, and the video driver 52 displays an image formed from the base image data and the auxiliary image data on the CRT display 12. The operation of each module except the information setting module 57 is well-known, and therefore, the description is omitted in principle, and the information setting module 5
7 will be described below.

The printer driver 53 can variously control printing by the printer 14 by changing the setting, but the operator needs to make such setting in advance. The information setting module 57 performs the operation of setting various kinds of information for printing. Here, this information setting module 5
The operation performed by the operator by the operation of step 7 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (a trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is used as an operating system on which the printer driver 53 operates.
Will be described as an example. Further, the description will be made assuming that the name of the printer 14 is “XXX PR100”.

First, the operator operates the computer 10 as follows to open a dialog box for setting various information for printing. That is, [Start] →
Open [Printer] window by performing [Settings]-> [Printer]. Next, the window for the printer is opened by double-clicking the icon of the target printer on the window, here, the icon of “XXX PR100”. Then, from the window, operate [Printer] → [Properties] to display a dialog box for setting various information on the printer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB has six types of cards: "information", "details", "shared", "basic setting", "paper setting", and "utility". The operator selects the “paper setting” card and sets various information on the paper.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB in which a “paper setting” card is opened. As shown in the figure, the "paper setting" card has data input fields E1, E2, E for setting "paper size", "number of copies", "print direction", and "printable area", respectively.
3 and E4, and a picture display field E5 that shows the contents of these settings in a three-dimensional picture of the printer 14.

The "paper size" data input field E1 is used to set the paper size to be used together with the paper type.
For example, “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “A4 horizontal 2
10 × 297 mm ”,“ Western envelope 120 × 235 ”,
“Postcard 100 × 147 mm” and the like are prepared as options.

The "number of copies" data input field E2 is for setting the number of copies to be printed. In addition to the number of copies, whether the printing order is to be printed in units of copies or not, in either normal or reverse order. You can also specify whether to print by clicking the check box.

The "print direction" data input field E3 indicates the direction of printing on paper, and includes "vertical" and "horizontal".
And can be selected. The “printable area” data input field E4 is for setting a printable area on the paper, and “normal” and “centering” can be selected. “Normal” refers to the printable area A such that a large margin is left at the lower end and the right end of the sheet P as shown in FIG.
R1 is defined, and "centering" is defined in FIG.
As shown in (b), the printable area AR2 is determined so that a blank space is equally provided in the four directions of up, down, left, and right of the sheet P. In FIG. 6A, the margins at the lower end and the right end of the paper P are blanks generated mechanically by the printer 14, and the lower end is not covered by the paper feed roller of the printer 14, and the right end is a carriage return. Occurs.

As described above, the picture display field E5 is an area in which a picture showing the external appearance of the printer 14 in a three-dimensional manner is displayed, and indicates the attributes of printing by the printer 14. Specifically, the picture is such that the following contents can be understood. Paper type and size Paper loading direction Paper transport path during printing Printing direction on paper Printable area on paper

The above-mentioned pictographs are changed each time the setting contents of the data input fields E1, E3, E4 are changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the data input column E1 of “paper size” is “A4 210 × 297 m”.
m ”, the picture in the picture display field E5 is
The paper is set in a size corresponding to A4 in the printer body in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the data input column E1 of "paper size" is "A4 landscape 2".
When “10 × 297 mm” is set, the flat image in the picture display field E5 is in a state where the paper is set in a size corresponding to A4 in the horizontal direction with respect to the printer main body.

The change of the picture in the picture display column E5 is as follows.
This is performed by the CPU 31 processing a predetermined routine in the information setting module 57 of the printer driver 53. Next, a display switching routine for changing the picture will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the display switching routine. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. As shown in the drawing, when the processing is started, the CPU 31 first determines whether or not the “paper setting” card is selected in the dialog box DB for the printer shown in FIG. 4, ie, the paper setting mode. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S100). Here, if it is determined that the mode is not the paper setting mode, the "return"
To end the processing of this routine once.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S100 that the mode is the paper setting mode, CPU 31 executes the following steps. That is, the CPU 31 sets data input fields E1, E3, and E3 for setting the “paper size”, the “print direction”, and the “printable area” in the “paper setting” card.
It is determined whether at least one of E4 has been changed (steps S110 to S130). If it is determined that there is no change in any of the data input fields E1, E3, E4, the process exits to "Return" and ends the processing of this routine once. On the other hand, the data input fields E1, E3,
If it is determined that at least one of E4 has changed,
CPU 31 causes the process to proceed to step S140.

In step S140, the CPU 31 performs a process of outputting image data (hereinafter, referred to as base image data) Dp1 serving as a base of the picture displayed in the picture display field E5 to the video driver 52. Here, the base image data Dp1 will be described first.

As described above, when the power of the computer main body 16 is turned on, the printer driver 53 is loaded in a predetermined area of the RAM 33. The printer driver 53 contains the base image data Dp1. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing various information provided in the printer driver 53 stored in the RAM 33. As shown, the printer driver 53 stored in the RAM 33 stores the base image data Dp1, the supplementary image data Dp2, and the search map data Dm. As shown in FIG. 9A, the base image data Dp1 represents a pictorial diagram showing the main body of the printer three-dimensionally. The base image data Dp1 is data in a bitmap format that shows such a picture as a group of dots.

In step S140, first, in detail,
The coordinate information indicating where the image represented by the base image data Dp1 is to be displayed on the screen of the CRT display 12 is specified to the video driver 52. That is, the origin of the image represented by the base image data Dp1 (for example,
The display position of the lower right corner P0 of the image in FIG. 9A on the screen is output to the video driver 52 using the coordinate points (X coordinate value, Y coordinate value) on the screen area. Then
A process of outputting the base image data Dp1 itself to the video driver 52 is performed.

Subsequently, the CPU 31 sets “paper size”,
"Print direction", "printable area" data input fields E1,
A process of selecting the supplementary image data Dp2 based on the contents of E3 and E4 is performed (step S150). here,
First, the accompanying image data Dp2 will be described.

The supplementary image data Dp2 is obtained by removing the image of the supplementary portion excluding the image portion (printer main body portion) corresponding to the base image data Dp1 from the illustrations of the printer illustrated in the illustration display field E5 in FIGS. It is the image data shown. FIG. 9C shows an example of a pictorial diagram represented by the accompanying image data Dp2. As shown in the drawing, the pictorial diagram represented by the supplementary image data Dp2 includes an image component m1 representing a sheet before transport and an image component m2 representing a sheet after transport.
And an image component m3 representing an arrow indicating a transport path, and an image component m representing a dashed rectangle indicating a printable area on a sheet.
4 and an image part m5 representing the character "A" indicating the printing direction on the paper. These image parts m1 to m5 represent the above-mentioned items representing the print attribute shown in the pictorial display section E5, and have different designs according to the setting contents of the data input sections E1, E3, E4. I have. In the RAM 33, a plurality of additional image data Dp2 having different designs are stored together with file names.

The processing in step S150 is composed of two steps in detail. First, the data entry field E
1, E3, E4, that is, data d1 for the paper size, data d3 for the printing direction,
By comparing the data d4 about the printable area with the search map data Dm stored in the RAM 33, one file name of the accompanying image data Dp2 is extracted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the search map data Dm stored in the RAM 33. As shown in the figure, the search map data Dm includes search conditions such as “paper size”, “print direction”, and “printable area”.
And one item of “file name” as a search result. The “paper size” item stores data corresponding to the “paper size” data input field E1 on the “paper setting” card.
10 x 297 mm "," A4 width 210 x 297 m
m ”,“ Western envelope 120 × 235 ”and the like. The “print direction” item stores data corresponding to the “print direction” data input field E3 on the “paper setting” card, and corresponds to “vertical” and “horizontal”. "Printable area"
Stores data corresponding to the data input field E4 of the “printable area” on the “paper setting” card, and corresponds to “normal” and “centering”. Then, "paper size", "print direction", "printable area"
Is associated with the file name of one piece of supplementary image data Dp2 stored in the item of "file name" for each combination of the contents of the items.

That is, one type of data stored in the item of “paper size” is combined with two types of “vertical” and “horizontal” as data regarding the printing direction.
For each of “vertical” and “horizontal”, two types of printable areas “normal” and “centering” are combined, so that one type of “paper size” is 1 × There are four combinations of 2 × 2, and the file names of the four incidental image data are associated with each other. Therefore, the “paper size” shown in FIG. 10 is “A4 210 × 297 mm” and “A4 width 210 × 2”.
Three types of data, ie, 97 mm ”and“ Western envelope 120 × 235 ”, are associated with 12 types of accompanying image data Dp2 from“ pic01 ”to“ pic12 ”.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show 12 types of auxiliary image data Dp2 from “pic01” to “pic12”.
The image represented by. FIG. 11 shows that the paper size d1 is “A4 210 × 297 mm” and “A4 landscape”.
This is an image represented by eight kinds of image data “pic01” to “pic08” in the case of “210 × 297 mm”. As shown in the figure, the image data “pic01” to “p
In all the images represented by “ic08”, the arrow (image part m3) indicating the paper transport path indicates the direction in which the paper is discharged from the rear of the printer to the front through the inside. The paper (image components m1 and m2) is divided into those drawn in the vertical direction and those drawn in the horizontal direction according to the setting direction of the paper indicated by "." Also, according to the “printing direction”, the character “A” is printed on the paper (image part m5).
Is divided into those drawn vertically and those drawn horizontally. Further, according to the “printable area”, a rectangle (image component m4) indicated by a broken line on the paper is divided into a rectangle at the center and a rectangle deviated from the center.

FIG. 12 shows an image represented by four kinds of image data “pic09” to “pic12” when the paper size d1 is “Western envelope 120 × 235 mm”. As shown, the image data “pic09” to
The image represented by “pic12” is the image data “pic
As in the case of “01” to “pic08”, the arrow (image component m3) indicating the paper transport path indicates the direction in which the paper is discharged from the rear of the printer to the front through the inside. In accordance with the sheet setting direction indicated by "size", the sheets (image components m1 and m2) are divided into those drawn in the vertical direction and those drawn in the horizontal direction. Also, according to the “printing direction”, the character “A” (image component m
5) is divided into those drawn vertically and those drawn horizontally. Further, according to the “printable area”, a rectangle (image component m4) indicated by a broken line on the paper is divided into a rectangle at the center and a rectangle deviated from the center.

From these "pic01" to "pic1"
Twelve types of image data up to 2 ”are attached image data Dp
2 is stored at least in the RAM 33. In step S150, as described above, the process of extracting one file name of the additional image data Dp2 using the search map data is executed, and the additional image data Dp2 corresponding to this file name is selected from the RAM 33. Execute the processing to be performed.

After execution of step S150, the CPU 31
Performs a process of outputting the selected incidental image data Dp2 to the video driver 52 (step S160).
More specifically, first, the video driver 52 is designated with coordinate information indicating at which position on the screen of the CRT display 12 the image represented by the accompanying image data Dp2 is to be displayed. That is, the origin (for example, the lower right corner Q of the image in FIG.
The display position on the screen of (0) is output to the video driver 52 using the coordinate points (X coordinate value, Y coordinate value) on the screen area. Next, a process of outputting the accompanying image data Dp2 itself to the video driver 52 is performed. Thereafter, the CPU 31 exits to “return” and ends the processing of this routine once.

According to the display switching routine having such a configuration, the base image data Dp1 and the auxiliary image data Dp2 are sent to the video driver 52.
Then, a picture is displayed in the picture display field E5 of the card of "paper setting" based on both image data DP1 and DP2. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing how the pictorial diagram is displayed. As shown in the figure, the video driver 52 converts the image represented by the base image data Dp1 into its origin P0.
Is a coordinate point PP on the screen area of the CRT display 12.
The image is displayed so as to be located at (x0, y0), and the image represented by the accompanying image data Dp2 has its origin Q0 set to CR.
The coordinate point PP (x0,
y0). Note that the coordinate point PP
(X0, y0) varies depending on the position on the screen of the dialog box DB having the picture display field E5.
This is a value determined by converting the position on the screen of the dialog box DB.

As described above, the supplementary image data Dp2 is obtained by removing the image portion corresponding to the base image data Dp1 from the illustrations of the printer illustrated in the illustration display field E5 in FIGS. The positional relationship between the picture in the image data Dp2 and the origin Q0 corresponds to the positional relationship between the picture in the base image data Dp1 and the origin P0. Therefore, the base image data Dp
By making the origins P0 and Q0 coincide with the coordinate point PP, the base image data Dp1
And the picture of the accompanying image data Dp2 can be overlapped well. The pictures thus synthesized are shown in FIGS.
Is a pictorial diagram representing the print attributes of the printer as exemplified in the pictorial display field E5 of FIG.

As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the picture display field E5 provided on the "paper setting" card has
When displaying a pictorial diagram representing the attributes of printing by the printer, one base image data Dp1 representing a pictorial diagram representing the main body of the printer and a plurality of auxiliary image data Dp2 representing printing attributes are prepared in the RAM 33 in advance. , The base image data Dp1 and the accompanying image data Dp2 of 1
Are combined with each other to display the picture in the picture display field E5. For this reason, even if the amount of information indicated by the pictorial diagram increases and the type of required image data increases,
What is newly required is only the additional image data for the image of the additional portion, and the base image data Dp1 indicating the printer main body may be one data. Therefore, the RAM 33
This has the effect of reducing the required memory capacity inside.

In the first embodiment, the base image data Dp1 and the auxiliary image data Dp2 are stored in the RAM 33.
Since the printer driver 53 is included in the printer driver 53 installed in the RAM 33, the printer driver 53 exists in the RAM 33. In this case, the base image data Dp1 and the auxiliary image data Dp2 are fetched from the HDD 41. By applying the present invention to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the required memory capacity in the HDD.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, bitmap image data is prepared in advance as the additional image data Dp2. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the additional image data Dp2 is prepared.
Is created each time by a computer program. With respect to other configurations, the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 shows the CPU 31 in the second embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a display switching routine executed by the CPU. As shown, when the process is started, steps S100 to S140, which are the same processes as in the first embodiment, are executed. This step S140 is a process for outputting the base image data Dp1 serving as the base of the picture displayed in the picture display field E5 to the video driver 52, as described above. An image represented by the image data Dp1 is displayed on the CRT display 12.

After execution of step S140, the CPU 31
Means "paper size", "print direction", "printable area"
Using the contents of the data input fields E1, E3, and E4 as parameters, a process of drawing an image of the accompanying portion is performed (step S200). Here, the image of the supplementary portion is an image indicated by the supplementary image data Dp2 of the first embodiment, and the image data “p” of the first embodiment depends on the parameter.
The same images as the images indicated by “ic01” to “pic12” are drawn on the CRT display 12. This drawing process is executed by a draw-based computer program. In detail, an image is drawn as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), the CPU 31 forms a rectangular image on the image of the base image data Dp1 displayed on the CRT display 12 such that the conveyed sheet is always contained therein. Define the area and set 4
The coordinates of the corner points W1, W2, W3, W4 on the screen are determined. Next, as shown in FIG.
In a region inside points W1, W2, W3, and W4, a line LN1 about a pictorial diagram representing a sheet portion after conveyance is drawn using a draw-based computer program. The picture drawn by this computer program differs depending on the above parameters. In this example, the data input fields E1 and E of “paper size”, “print direction” and “printable area” are used.
3 and E4, the image part m of the image data “pic01” to “pic12” of the first embodiment.
The same as 2, m4, and m5 is drawn. Then, using the draw-based computer program, as shown in FIG. 15C, an image part m1 representing the sheet before transport and an image representing the arrow representing the transport path, referring to the sheet portion after transport. Draw a line LN2 for the part m3. In this way, the desired picture is displayed in the picture display field E5, and thereafter, the process proceeds to "return", and this process is temporarily ended.

According to the second embodiment configured as described above, one sheet of the base image data Dp1 representing a pictorial diagram showing the main body of the printer is shared, and the "paper size" and "print direction" are used. In accordance with the contents of the data input sections E1, E3, E4 of the "printable area", the picture of the supplementary portion is drawn in accordance with the computer program to display the picture display section E5. For this reason, only one piece of base image data Dp1 is required, and the required memory capacity in the RAM 33 can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the four points W1, W2, W3, which serve as reference points for drawing the line LN1 indicating the picture,
It is necessary to store the coordinate data of W4. Alternatively, by configuring the corresponding point of the display image data with special color data, it is possible to have a configuration that does not need to have the coordinate data. . With this configuration, the memory capacity can be further reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. be able to. For example, in the first embodiment, the printer 14 is connected to the local computer 10.
Although the present invention is applied to a computer system directly connected to a cable, the present invention may alternatively be applied to a computer system in which a plurality of computers share a printer connected to a server on a LAN. Alternatively, the printer connected to the server connected to the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by a computer main body 16 to printing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB for setting various types of information about a printer.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB in which a “paper setting” card is opened.

FIG. 6 shows a case where “normal” is set and “centering”
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printable area when “” is set.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another state of the dialog box DB in which a “paper setting” card is opened.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a display switching routine executed by a CPU 31;

FIG. 9 shows a printer driver 53 stored in a RAM 33.
It is explanatory drawing which shows various information provided in.

FIG. 10 shows search map data D stored in a RAM 33;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of m.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a pictorial diagram represented by image data from “pic01” to “pic08”.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a pictorial diagram represented by image data from “pic09” to “pic12”.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of displaying a pictorial diagram by the video driver 52.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a display switching routine executed by a CPU 31 in a second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for drawing an image of an incidental portion in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper setting dialog box in a conventional printer driver.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when the contents of the dialog box are changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 14 ... Printer 16 ... Computer main body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk drive 24 ... Floppy disk drive 31 ... CPU 32 ... ROM 33 ... RAM 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 36 ... FDC 37 ... HDC 38 ... CRTC 39 ... printer interface 40 ... I / O port 41 ... HDD 44 ... modem 46 ... public telephone line 48 ... server 51 ... application program 52 ... video driver 53 ... printer driver 54 ... rasterizer 55 ... color correction module 56 ... halftone module 57 ... information setting module 57a ... base image data acquisition unit 57b ... incidental image data acquisition unit Dp1 ... base image data D 2 ... incidental image data

Claims (7)

[Claims] A display device configured to display a data input screen area on the display device and to perform a predetermined printer operation based on input data from the input device in accordance with the content of the screen area. A printer control device for setting various information for printing, wherein a pictorial diagram display control means for displaying, in the screen area, an image showing at least a part of the content of the various information according to the input data with a pictorial diagram. The pictorial image display control means includes: base image data obtaining means for obtaining base image data representing an image of a base portion which does not change even when the various information for printing is changed in the pictorial image; A supplementary image data acquisition method for acquiring supplementary image data representing the image of the supplementary portion excluding the above in accordance with various information according to the input data. When the printer controller and a pictorial image data forming means for forming an image data of an image representing the pictorial by combining with the base image data and the supplementary image data. 2. The printer control device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing bitmap data as said base image data in advance, wherein said base image data acquisition means comprises: A printer control device including data reading means for reading image data. 3. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap data storage means stores a plurality of bitmap data as the additional image data in association with the contents of the various types of information. A printer control device comprising: a selection unit that selects one bitmap data from the plurality of bitmap data according to various information according to the input data. 4. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein said supplementary image data acquiring means executes a process according to a predetermined computer program, so that the supplementary image data according to the various information is obtained. A printer control device comprising a unit for drawing an image. 5. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the base image data represents a printer main body. 6. A printer control for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer based on input data from an input device according to the contents of the screen area while displaying a screen area for data input on a display device. The method
(A) displaying, in the screen area, an image showing at least a part of the contents of various types of information according to the input data with a pictorial diagram, wherein the step (a) includes: Obtaining base image data representing an image of a base portion which does not change even when various information for printing is changed; (c)
A step of obtaining additional image data representing an image of the additional part excluding the base part in the picture according to various information according to the input data; and (d) synthesizing the base image data and the additional image data Forming image data of an image showing the picture. 7. A method for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer based on input data from an input device according to the contents of the screen area while displaying a screen area for data input on a display device. A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, comprising: (a) a function of displaying, in the screen area, an image showing at least a part of contents of various types of information according to the input data with a pictorial diagram. The function (a) includes: (b) a function of obtaining base image data representing an image of a base portion that does not change even when the various information for printing is changed in the pictorial diagram;
(D) combining the base image data and the additional image data with a function of obtaining additional image data representing an image of the additional portion excluding the base portion in the picture according to various information according to the input data. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program for causing a computer to realize the function of forming image data of the image showing the picture is recorded.