JP2004234449A - Information processor, information input processing method, and information input processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an intuitive and easy input for a desired number of printing by a user, without requiring reversing work for a printing number input box value, clearing work therefor and moving work for a cursor and a focus. <P>SOLUTION: Whether an input is the first input after display of a screen or after cleared or not is determined, and a numerical value in the present in a printing number input box is substituted with an input numerical value when the input value is first one and when the input value is a numerical value other than '0'. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for performing setting and control relating to printing on a printing apparatus via a communication unit, and relates to a function of setting the number of copies, and an information processing apparatus relating to input control for an input value. The present invention relates to a processing method and an information input processing program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the case of setting the number of print copies, for example, when “1” is displayed in the current print copy number input box and the user's desired value is “50”, usually “5”, “0” Input in order. However, when the user inputs “5”, the number of copies input box is set to “15” in order to reflect and display the numerical value input in the numerical value in the box conventionally, and when “0” is subsequently input, “150” is input. ".
[0003]
In another conventional input method, a numerical value is selected or inverted by using an input (operation) device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and then erased and then input. There was also a method of inputting a numerical value or selecting a desired value using a spin button. (For example, Patent Document 1)
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-08-320781 (page 5, FIG. 5)
However, the input item frame is generally small with respect to the screen, and it is difficult to select or reverse the numerical value of the input item or to set the cursor, and to change the numerical value requires a lot of trouble. Was something.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the present invention, the user can intuitively and easily input a desired number of print copies without the necessity of reversing work of the value of the print copy number input box, clearing work, and work of moving a cursor or focus as described above. it can.
[0005]
Means and Action for Solving the Problems
The present invention, in order to achieve the above object,
A numeric key for inputting the number of copies of the image on the screen of the display device, comprising a clear key, to determine whether the input by the numeric key is the first time, the determination result is the first time,
In addition, when the input value is other than “0”, by replacing the current print copy number setting value with the input value, the print copy number can be set more intuitively.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic connection diagram between an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that constitute a printing system embodying the present invention.
[0007]
The information processing apparatus 101 has a device driver (printer driver) 104 for the printing apparatus 102 which can be seen on the screen. The information processing apparatus 101 and a color card printer as the printing apparatus 102 are connected by an interface cable 103. I have. The printing device 102 is, for example, a business card printing device capable of printing a business card on a recording medium.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 101.
[0009]
The system bus of the main CPU (201) includes a PCI bus 205 as a local bus (and an ISA bus (not shown)) and a hierarchical bus via a host / PCI bridge 203 and the like, and is connected to each hardware. Is done.
[0010]
The system bus of the main CPU 201 has a high-speed memory using an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) called a cache 201 and stores codes and data that the main CPU 201 frequently accesses.
[0011]
The main memory 204 is a temporary storage area of an execution program such as an operating system (OS), an application according to the present invention (see 401 in FIG. 4), a printer driver module 104 for the printing apparatus 102, and a work for executing each program. It is also used as a memory area. These execution programs are, for example, read from the hard disk drive HDD 217 via the IDE controller 216 and loaded into the main memory 204.
The main memory 204 also temporarily stores the RGB display data edited by the application program and the print data converted from RGB to CMYK signals by the printer driver for the printing apparatus (100). The display signal is written to a VRAM (Video-RAM) 224 via the video controller 223.
[0012]
The main memory 204 also temporarily stores commands and print data (described later with reference to FIG. 4) generated by an application program for transmission to the printing apparatus.
Each command and recording data are sent to the printing apparatus 102 via a communication interface, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 219.
[0013]
The video controller 223 continuously and continuously reads the RGB display data written in the VRAM 224, and continuously transfers the data as a video signal to a display 225 such as a CRT, LCD, or PDP.
[0014]
The communication interface with the printing apparatus 102 is connected to the PCI bus 205, and the interface used is USB, bidirectional Centronics (IEEE1284), IEEE1394, network, and the like.
[0015]
The ROM 206 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program for controlling input / output devices such as the keyboard 213, the mouse 214, the CDD 218 and the FDD 215 connected via the KB & M controller 212, an initialization at power-on, a self-diagnosis program, and the like. The EEPROM 207 is a nonvolatile memory for storing various parameters used permanently.
[0016]
The CPU 201 also manages the date and time using the RTC (Real Time Clock) 208. Recently, an audio controller 209 and an input microphone 210 and an output speaker 211 have become common.
Note that the CPU 201 executes processing for rasterizing the outline font in the main memory 204 based on, for example, display information set in the main memory 204, and executes WYSIWYG (display contents and print contents) on the display 225. (A function to match): What You See Is What You Get.
[0017]
The printer driver controls display control (FIG. 6) described later, for example, a numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on the screen of the display 225 and a clear key for clearing the input number of copies.
[0018]
The CPU 201 opens various windows registered on the screen of the display 225 based on commands specified by a mouse cursor (609 in FIG. 6, 609) on the display 225 and executes various data processing.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 102.
The internal CPU 301 reads out the output of the sheet leading edge detection sensor 307 and the like based on the control program and the like stored in the ROM 303, and each recording head 312: K <black>, 313: C <cyan>, 314: M <magenta. > And 315: Y <yellow>, a head U / D motor 321 for moving up and down, a capping motor 322 for moving a capping mechanism for capping (sealing) the recording heads 312 to 315 in a standby state to the left and right, An actuator such as a pump motor 324 that supplies ink from the ink tank (not shown) to the recording heads 312 to 315 and the transport motor 323 that transports the ink is generally controlled.
[0020]
The CPU 301 also analyzes the command received by the interface controller 302 and writes the received print data into the image memory 310 corresponding to the print colors of the recording heads 312 to 315, respectively.
The EEPROM 305 stores serial numbers of the recording heads 312 to 315. And a non-volatile memory for storing registration between printheads (fine print position adjustment value) and the like. The CPU 301 also uses a RAM 304 as a working memory.
[0021]
The printing apparatus 102 also has a function of reading the current temperatures of the recording heads 312 to 315 by the temperature sensor 309 via the AD converter 131 and reflecting the current temperatures on recording control.
At the time of printing, the print data stored in the image memory 310 is read out in synchronization with the movement of the conveyed paper (print medium), and transferred to the print head control circuit 311 to each of the print heads 31 to 315 to perform color printing. Is done.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of software modules executed by the internal CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 101.
[0022]
The application 401, the graphic engine 402, the printer driver 104, and the system spooler 403 exist as files stored in an external memory such as a CDD (Compact Disk Drive) 218 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 217 shown in FIG. In this case, the program module is loaded into the main memory RAM 204 and executed by the OS (Operating System) or the application program 401 (see FIG. 2).
[0023]
The application 401 and the printer driver 104 can be added to an FDD 215, a CDD 218, or a server (not shown) via the communication adapter 222 to the network.
[0024]
When a print instruction is issued from the application 401 stored in the external memory to the printing apparatus 102, output (drawing) is similarly performed using the graphic engine 402 which is loaded into the main memory 204 and is executable.
[0025]
The graphic engine 402 converts the output of the application 601 into a control command of the printing apparatus 102 by the printer driver 104 similarly loaded on the main memory 402.
[0026]
The converted printer control command is output from the system spooler 403 loaded into the main memory 204 by the OS to, for example, an interface such as the USB port 219 to the printer 102.
[0027]
The screen realized by the user interface (UI) unit 104a of the printer driver 104 for setting a desired value for an item that can be set by the user is described later (see FIG. 6).
[0028]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a setting screen of the user interface (UI) unit 104a.
[0029]
On this screen, the operator can set the number of copies.
The operator sets the desired number of copies in the number-of-prints input box 601 as an input item. The input method is such that the mouse cursor 609 is moved to the number-of-copies input box 601 using an input device such as the mouse 214 and a numerical value is input.
The numerical value may be input by using the keyboard 213, the spin button 602 on the right side of the input box 601, or the numerical value input key 604 on the screen.
[0030]
If the number of copies is incorrect, the cursor 609 can be moved to the number-of-copies input box 601 and the numerical value can be erased with the erase key of the keyboard 213 or the like.
[0031]
In the present invention, by pressing (clicking) the clear key 603 provided on the right side of the input box 601, the numerical value can be returned to the minimum number of print copies (for example, 1) of the printing apparatus.
[0032]
The printing apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment is a business card dedicated printing machine, and the minimum number of prints set in a predetermined area of the main memory 204 is 1. Therefore, when the clear key 603 is pressed, the default value becomes “1”.
[0033]
An OK button 605 reflects the screen settings and closes the screen. A cancel button 606 and an “X” button 608 close the screen without reflecting the screen settings. An apply button 607 is a button that reflects the settings but does not close the screen.
The operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the operator opens a user interface screen of the printer driver (step 501).
[0034]
Then, when changing the number of copies input box displayed on the display 225, such as when setting the current number of copies, the numeric key 404 provided on the screen is pressed. The CPU 201 detects pressing of the numerical key 404 on the screen, and determines whether the input is the first input in the main memory 204 (step 502).
[0035]
If it is the first input (step 502-Yes), it is determined whether the input numerical value is "0" (step 503).
[0036]
If "0" (step 503-Yes), the number of print copies input box set in a predetermined area on the main memory 204 is multiplied by 10 (step 504).
[0037]
For example, if 1 is set as the default value, the number of print copies is 10, and if, for example, 2 remains in the previous set value, the number of print copies is 20.
[0038]
If the input value is a numerical value (for example, 3) other than “0” (step 503 —No), the CPU 201 replaces the print copy number input box value set in the predetermined area on the main memory 204 with the new input value ( For example, it is replaced with 3) (step 505).
[0039]
If the input operation is not the first time in step 502 (step 502-No), the CPU 201 sets the print copy number input box value (for example, 3) set in a predetermined area on the main memory 204 to 10 as in step 504. The value is updated to a value (for example, 34) obtained by adding the newly input value (for example, 4) (step 506).
[0040]
The values changed in steps 504, 505, and 506 are displayed in the print copy number input box 401 as updated values (step 507).
[0041]
Thereafter, while waiting for input of the OK button 405, the cancel button 406, or the “X” button 408, when the press is detected (step 508-Yes), the screen is closed (step 509), and the process is terminated.
With the above configuration and procedure, designation and change of the number of print copies can be easily performed.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the value of the input box is multiplied by 10 and added to the input value when the initial input value is “0” and when the input is not the first time, but as another form, the value of the input box is shifted by one digit. Then, a new input value may be added.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a numerical value other than “0” is input at the beginning of the print copy setting, the operator replaces the current setting value with the input value to set the desired print copy number. Can be set in an intuitive way.
[0044]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic connection diagram of a printing system embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a hierarchical block diagram of a software module according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart when setting the number of print copies according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print copy setting screen of the printer driver according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 information processing device 102 printing device 103 interface cable 104 printer (device) driver 201 CPU (central processing unit)
213 Keyboard 217 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
219 USB port 225 Display 301 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
302 Interface controller 310 Image memory 401 Application 402 Graphic engine 403 Spooler

Claims (9)

In an information processing apparatus that displays input items on a screen of a display device and inputs information to a selected input item,
A numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on the screen of the display device, comprising a clear key, determining means for determining whether the input by the numerical key is the first time,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that replaces a current set number of print copies with an input value when a result of the determination by the determination unit is a first time and the input value by the numeric key is other than “0”. In an information input processing method of displaying input items on a screen of a display device and inputting information to a selected input item,
A numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on the screen of the display device, comprising a clear key, a determining step of determining whether the input by the numerical key is the first time,
A control step of replacing the current print copy setting value with the input value when the result of the determination step is the first time and the input value by the numeric key is other than “0”. . In an information input processing program for displaying input items on a screen of a display device and inputting information to a selected input item,
A numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on the screen of the display device, comprising a clear key, a determining step of determining whether the input by the numerical key is the first time,
A control step of replacing the current print copy setting value with the input value when the result of the determination step is the first time and the input value by the numeric key is other than “0”. . In an information processing apparatus that displays input items on a screen of a display device and inputs information to a selected input item,
Display means for displaying a numeric key for inputting the number of copies of an image on a screen of the display device,
Determining means for determining whether the input by the numerical keys is the first time,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that replaces a current setting value of the number of print copies with an input value when a result of the determination by the determination unit is a first time and an input value by the numeric key is other than “0”. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a storage unit that stores “1” as an initial value of the number of copies of the input item. In an information input processing method of displaying input items on a screen of a display device and inputting information to a selected input item,
A display step of displaying a numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on a screen of the display device,
A determining step of determining whether the input by the numerical keys is the first time,
A control step of replacing a current set value of the number of copies with an input value when the result of the determination step is the first time and the input value by the numerical keys is other than “0”. Method. 7. The information input processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a storage step of storing "1" as an initial value of the number of copies of the input item. In an information input processing program for displaying input items on a screen of a display device and inputting information to a selected input item,
A display step of displaying a numerical key for inputting the number of copies of an image on a screen of the display device,
A determining step of determining whether the input by the numerical keys is the first time,
A control step of replacing a current setting value of the number of print copies with an input value when the result of the determination by the determination unit is the first time and the input value by the numeric key is other than “0” . 9. The information input processing program according to claim 8, further comprising a storage step of storing 1 as an initial value of the number of copies of the input item.

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