JP2006085253A - Information processor and print control method and computer-readable storage medium with program stored and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assign an icon which is excellent in visibility for easy understanding of each print setting set through a printer driver to each registered print setting. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of print setting selected from a print setting picture by a printer driver are stored on an external memory 11 as a print setting file, and a prescribed icon for recognizing print setting contents is assigned and set to each stored print setting file, and the assigned prescribed icon is arranged on a picture displayed by a display device 101 by a CPU 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communicable printing apparatus, a printing control method, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program.

  Conventionally, on an information processing device with a printer driver installed, a printer driver shortcut is created on the desktop, and the file created by the application is dragged and dropped onto the printer driver shortcut icon on the desktop. It is configured to be able to execute printing.

  However, the print settings in that case are the default settings set by the user in advance, and it is possible to create shortcut icons each time the default settings are changed and place multiple icons on the desktop. The print setting is the default setting set last.

  Therefore, if there are multiple frequently used print settings, the print settings are stored in the printer driver as “Favorites”, and when printing, the detailed settings are opened and the settings you want to use are selected from the “Favorites” list. There was a need to make a selection.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 has a system in which a similar icon is created for each print setting, and printing is started by dragging and dropping a file to be printed on any of the icons. In this system, a predetermined icon is set for the created icon so that the printing condition can be understood according to the set printing condition.
JP 2001-337765 A

  In the previous example, there is only one printer driver shortcut placed on the desktop, and the print setting is only the setting specified as the initial setting. Therefore, a convenient printing procedure such as drag and drop printing is performed with the initial setting. It can only be executed on files, and the user cannot take advantage of its convenience.

  Further, even if a plurality of print settings can be arranged as icons on the desktop, the information that can be displayed on the icons with a limited size is limited with predetermined icons, and the print settings are 2in1, double-sided, short. There was a problem that it became difficult to distinguish when the edges became finer.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned patent document 1, since only print icons for which print conditions are set in advance are displayed, a plurality of icons having similar print conditions are arranged on the same screen. Therefore, there is a problem that the print setting is made with the incorrect setting by dragging and dropping the file icon to be printed on the icon having the wrong print setting. In particular, the visibility of icons with similar print conditions is further reduced.

  In addition, since only the set print conditions are implied icons, the user visually recognizes the contents of the set print conditions even when used in an environment where a specific file is printed. In some cases, it is necessary to perform an operation, and it is not possible to easily issue a print instruction.

  Such a problem is because only print conditions are iconified, and other conditions added to the print conditions, such as file attributes and printer attributes (appearance diagram of the printer device, etc.), are not considered at all. The improvement was eagerly desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store a plurality of print settings selected from a print setting screen by a printer driver as a print setting file, and to store each of the stored settings. Each print set through the printer driver by assigning and setting a predetermined icon for recognizing the print setting contents in the print setting file and placing the assigned predetermined icon on the screen displayed by the display device Stores information processing device and print control method that can be assigned to each registered print setting and easy-to-understand easy-to-understand icons with excellent visibility, print control method, and computer-readable program Storage medium and program.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communicable printing apparatus, and storing a plurality of print settings selected from a print setting screen by the printer driver as a print setting file Means, a setting means for assigning and setting a predetermined icon indicating print setting contents to each print setting file stored in the storage means, and a specific icon for identifying the print setting based on the icon assigned by the setting means It comprises an icon creating means to be created and an arranging means for placing the specific icon created by the icon creating means on a screen displayed on a display device.

  The printing control method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communicable printing apparatus, wherein a plurality of print settings selected from a print setting screen by the printer driver are stored in a storage unit as a print setting file A registration step for registration, a setting step for assigning and setting a predetermined icon indicating print setting contents to each print setting file registered in the storage means, and a print setting can be identified based on the icon assigned by the setting step An icon creation step for creating a specific icon, and an arrangement step for placing the specific icon created in the icon creation step on a screen displayed on a display device.

  According to the present invention, an icon having excellent visibility that allows easy understanding of each print setting set via the printer driver is freely assigned to each registered print setting, and is created by an application that is displayed. An intended print result can be easily obtained by a simple operation of overlaying on a predetermined icon characterized by print settings to which a file icon or the like is assigned.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. For example, a host computer PC and a printer 106 are connected via a predetermined interface cable 105. This is an example of a system capable of bidirectional communication.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a display device, which is composed of a CRT device or an LCD display, for printing an operation screen by an application and information created by executing the application under an OS stored in an external storage device. A print setting screen or the like by a printer driver 2003, which will be described later, can be displayed under the control of a CPU or the like.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a control unit, which accesses an FD drive, a CD-ROM drive, a keyboard 103, and an input / output device such as a pointing device 104 connected via a bus on a control board including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. (not shown). I have control. Reference numeral 105 denotes an interface cable such as a USB.

  The control unit (controller unit) 102 includes an external storage device such as a hard disk, and an operating system and a print control program such as a printer driver 2003 are installed, and a print request from an application via the printer driver 2003 is installed. The print information is transferred to the printer 106 in accordance with the above.

  The print information includes a raster image drawn on a host basis and PDL data in a predetermined page description language. The present invention can be applied to any system.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the printing system shown in FIG. 1, and this system has a configuration in which a host computer PC and a printer 106 are connected to be communicable. Note that whether the communication connection mode is a predetermined interface or a network is not limited to the application of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the host computer PC includes a CPU 1. The CPU 1 executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 3 program ROM or the external memory 11, and the system. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the bus 4.

  The ROM 3 program ROM or external memory 11 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program of the CPU 1, and the ROM 3 font ROM or external memory 11 stores the above-mentioned document processing. Font data to be used and the like are stored, and various data used when performing the document processing and the like are stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 103 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on the display device 10 such as a CRT. A disk controller (DKC) 7 is an access to the external memory 11 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as printer driver 2003), and the like. To control. The external memory 11 is configured by a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk (FD), or the like.

  A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 106 via an interface cable 105 that is a predetermined bidirectional interface, and executes communication control processing with the printer 106. The CPU 1 executes, for example, processing (rasterization) of display information set in the RAM 2 into an outline font, thereby enabling WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor or the like displayed on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. As a result, when printing is performed, the user can open a window related to print settings, and can set the print processing method for the printer driver 2003 including setting of the printer 106 and selection of a print mode.

  On the other hand, the printer 106 includes a printer CPU (CPU) 12. The CPU 12 outputs an image as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Output a signal. Further, a control program for the CPU 12 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information, and the data ROM of the ROM 13 is a computer PC in the case of the printer 106 that does not use the external memory 14 such as a hard disk. The information used in is stored.

  The CPU 12 can communicate with the computer PC via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the computer PC of information in the printer 106. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

  The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the hard disk (HD) and external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 151 denotes an operation panel on which operation switches, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

  Further, at least one external memory 14 described above is provided, and is configured to be able to connect a plurality of external memories storing an optional font card and a program for interpreting printer control languages having different language systems in addition to the built-in font. May be. Further, a non-volatile NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 151.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a module configuration used for a typical printing process in the computer PC shown in FIG. 2. A printing apparatus such as the printer 106 is directly connected to the computer PC or via a network. It is connected.

  In FIG. 3, an application 2001, a graphic engine 2002, a printer driver 2003, and a system spooler 2004 exist as files stored in the external memory 11, and are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the operating system (OS) and other modules. It is a program module.

  The application 2001 and the printer driver 2003 can be added to the external memory 11 (HD) via an FD, a CD-ROM, or a network (not shown).

  The application 2001 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing from the application 2001 by the printer 106, the application 2001 can be executed by being similarly loaded into the RAM 2. The graphic engine 2002 is used for output (drawing).

  The graphic engine 2002 similarly loads a printer driver 2003 prepared for each printer from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2, and converts the output of the application 2001 into a control command for the printer 106 using the printer driver 2003. The converted printer control command is output to the printer 106 via the interface cable 105 via the system spooler 2004 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of the RAM 2 shown in FIG. 2, and corresponds to a state in which, for example, a printing-related module including a printing program in this embodiment is loaded into the RAM 2 on the computer PC and becomes executable. .

  In FIG. 4, 3001 is a printing application, 3002 is a free memory, 3003 is printing-related data, 3004 is a printing-related program, 3005 is an OS, and 3006 is BIOS. The printing control program in this embodiment is a printing-related program. It exists as part of 3004. This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  A procedure for creating a shortcut printer will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a procedure for executing shortcut printer creation by the printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. 3 from the “Add to Favorites” window. Corresponding to Reference numerals (201) to (206) denote steps, which are executed by the CPU of the control unit 102 of the computer PC.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed by the printer driver 2003 displayed on the display device 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is an example of display contents of a “print setting” tab.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 302 denotes a pull-down menu for selecting the type of paper to be printed. A radio button 303 is used to select a print quality (for example, “clean”, “standard”, or “fast”). A pull-down menu 304 is used to select the size of paper to be printed (currently “A4” selected state). Reference numeral 305 denotes an OK button which is pressed to confirm the current setting contents. A cancel button 306 is pressed to delete this setting screen. Reference numeral 307 denotes an add to favorites button, which is pressed when setting for adding to favorites shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a favorite addition setting screen by the printer driver 2003 displayed on the display device 101 shown in FIG. 1, and an add to favorites button 307 is displayed on the print setting screen shown in FIG. When pressed, the image is displayed on the display device 101 under the control of the CPU of the control unit 102.

  In FIG. 7, 401 is an add to favorites window, which is displayed on the display device 101 when an add to favorites button 307 is pressed. A favorite list 402 displays a list of currently registered favorite names.

  A setting content 403 displays the setting content selected in the favorite list 402. Reference numeral 404 denotes a name box, which is a text box for inputting a setting name to be displayed in the favorite list 402, and is configured such that a user can input a specific name (for example, for mail printing) for the favorite icon. ing.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes an icon, which may be anything that can assist the user in recognizing the settings registered in the favorite list 402 (for example, 2in1, double-sided, short-edge binding) A list of icons that can be assigned visually identifiable icons) is displayed, and the user selects an appropriate icon from the icon library by clicking the icon that the user wants to use.

  The icons themselves are standardized with a predetermined matrix size, and can be registered by a user created by image processing (not shown).

  In FIG. 6, when creating a shortcut printer, the user first displays a paper type 302, a print paper size 304, print quality on a “print setting” window 301 displayed on the display device 101 by the printer driver 2003. The user selects a favorite setting for 303 and the like (201), and selects an add to favorites button 307 by operating the pointing device 104 (202).

  Then, a name to be given to the currently selected setting is input from the keyboard 103 in the name field 404 of the “Add to Favorites” window 401 (203). Next, an icon for identifying the currently selected setting (setting selected by the user from the combinations that can be set in the print setting shown in FIG. 6) is selected from the icon 405 (204).

  Here, when an icon other than the icon displayed in the icon 405 is used, it is possible to select a reference button 406 and select a file created in a format that can be used as an icon. When all the settings are completed, the “Create Shortcut” button 409 is selected (205).

  Here, the printer driver 2003 creates a shortcut printer according to the flow shown in FIG.

  When the OK button 407 is pressed (206), this process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the shortcut printer creation procedure by the printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. Reference numerals (501) to (503) denote steps, which are executed by the CPU of the control unit 102 of the computer PC.

  The printer driver 2003 stores the currently selected setting in the form of a DEVMODE structure based on the steps (201) to (204) shown in FIG. 5 (501). Then, a favorite icon is created by combining an icon representing a file for identifying the selected currently selected setting and an icon representing the target printer (502).

  Then, the icon is shortcut-saved on the desktop screen of the display device 101 (503), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a favorite icon created by the printer driver 2003 of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is an example of an icon combining an icon for identifying a favorite and an external view of the printer.

  In FIG. 9, IF is a file icon part, and it can be identified that the file type is an image. IP is a printer icon part, and it is possible to identify the appearance of a printer as a printer candidate to which a file specified by the file icon part IF is to be output.

  In this embodiment, the file icon part IF and the printer icon part IP are created as favorite icons OIC (shortcut printers) arranged with a specific positional relationship.

  FIG. 10 shows the processing in the shortcut printer when the user designates a file to be printed by dragging and dropping the shortcut device (favorite icon OIC) assigned on the desktop screen by operating the pointing device 104. The description will be given with reference.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the drag and drop processing procedure to the shortcut printer by the printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. Reference numerals (601) to (603) denote steps, which are executed by the CPU of the control unit 102 of the computer PC.

  The shortcut printer file acquires from the system the path and file name of the file dragged and dropped by the user by operating the pointing device 104 (601). Next, the print settings stored in the DEVMODE structure are set in the printer driver 2003 (602). Then, the system instructs the system to open the dragged and dropped file with the “print” option specified (603), and the process ends.

  In response, the system opens the file with the application associated with the file designated to open and starts printing.

  As a result, it is possible to perform a print instruction operation with excellent convenience in which an icon with excellent visibility that allows easy understanding of each print setting set via the printer driver 2003 can be assigned to each registered print setting. An icon that matches a print setting condition can be selected with high visibility as an icon of a file created by the user.

  In the above embodiment, the shortcut printer file is described as a favorite icon OIC in which the file icon part IF and the printer icon part IP are arranged with a specific positional relationship. However, the file icon part IF and the printer name part are described. It may be a favorite icon OIC arranged with a specific positional relationship with IN.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a shortcut printer file in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a favorite icon OIC in which a file icon part IF and a printer name part IN are arranged with a specific positional relationship.

  This makes it possible to assign convenient icons (including device icons) that are easy to understand each print setting set via the printer driver 2003 to each registered print setting. Since the instruction operation can be performed, an icon that matches the print setting condition can be selected with high visibility from the icon of the file created by the user while easily understanding the output target device.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, in step (501) shown in FIG. 8, the currently selected setting is filed in the form of a DEVMODE structure based on steps (201) to (204) shown in FIG. However, it may be configured such that the icon is arranged on the desktop in a state where the print setting can be specified by both the GUI and the command line. The embodiment will be described below.

  Since the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the shortcut creation procedure by the printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. Reference numerals (901) to (903) denote steps, which are executed by the CPU of the control unit 102 of the computer PC.

  Based on steps (201) to (204) shown in FIG. 5, the printer driver 2003 sets the currently selected setting as an argument of a command for starting the printer driver 2003, starts the printer driver 2003, and prints. A file that receives the desired file name as an argument by drag and drop is created (901). Since the format of the file is determined by the system, a file suitable for the format is created.

  Next, an icon is created by combining the selected icon with the appearance of the printer or the printer name (902). Then, the icon information created in step (902) is added to the file created in step (901), and the file is saved in a location determined by the system as a location for saving the file to be displayed on the desktop ( 903), the process is terminated.

  According to each embodiment, when there are a plurality of frequently used print settings, a file to be printed can be dragged and dropped onto the desktop icon without opening the detailed settings and changing the settings of the printer driver 2003. It is possible to start printing simply by doing.

  Further, by providing a means for setting a user-created icon, it is possible to obtain an effect that the print settings stored in the file can be easily identified.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the image processing system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 10, and 12 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification by those skilled in the art.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 14 will be described.

[Embodiment 1]
An information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communicable printing apparatus, and printing selected from a print setting screen by the printer driver (for example, the printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. 3) A storage unit (for example, the external memory 11 shown in FIG. 2) that stores a plurality of settings as print setting files, and a predetermined icon for recognizing the print setting contents are assigned and set to each print setting file stored in the storage unit. Setting means (for example, according to the setting screen shown in FIG. 7) and arrangement means for arranging a predetermined icon assigned by the setting means on a screen (for example, a desktop screen on the display device 101 shown in FIG. 1) displayed on the display device. (For example, in FIG. 2, the CPU 1 performs the arrangement processing under the management of the operating system). The information processing apparatus according to claim.

  As a result, it is possible to assign an icon with excellent visibility that facilitates understanding of each print setting set via the printer driver to each registered print setting.

[Embodiment 2]
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined icon includes a specific symbol for recognizing the contents of each print setting.

  As a result, it is possible to assign a specific symbol that makes it easy for the user to understand the print settings, and the degree of freedom of symbol selection when selecting an icon is increased.

[Embodiment 3]
Instructing means (such as pointing device 104 shown in FIG. 1) for instructing the printer driver to execute printing by dragging and dropping a file icon created by the application onto the predetermined icon arranged on the screen displayed on the display device The printer driver (printer driver 2003 shown in FIG. 3) prints a file created by the application in accordance with a print setting file set in the predetermined icon based on a drag and drop instruction by the instruction unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing is started.

  Accordingly, a print result based on the print setting set to the predetermined icon can be obtained by an operation of dragging and dropping the icon of the file to be printed on the predetermined icon assigned by the user.

[Embodiment 4]
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the print setting file together with an input setting file name.

  This makes it possible to reliably select a print setting file to which a predetermined icon is assigned from among a plurality of print setting files.

[Embodiment 5]
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined icon can be combined with text data indicating a printer name or image data indicating an appearance of the printer.

  This allows you to see the relationship between the print-set icon and the device at the same time, so even in a system environment where there are multiple output destinations, you can issue a print start instruction without error while checking the output destination. Yes.

[Embodiment 6]
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific symbol is configured by a symbol which is an assist for recognizing a print type, print quality, paper size, print direction, number of copies, and the like.

  As a result, various setting contents set for printing are reflected, and an easy-to-understand icon can be assigned to the print setting file.

[Embodiment 7]
A print control method in an information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of print conditions for a communicable printing apparatus, wherein a print setting selected from a print setting screen by the printer driver is used as a print setting file A registration step for registering a plurality of items in the storage unit, a setting step for assigning and setting a predetermined icon indicating print setting contents to each print setting file registered in the storage unit, and a predetermined icon assigned by the setting step And a placement step of placing on a screen to be displayed.

  As a result, it is possible to assign an icon with excellent visibility for easy understanding of each print setting set via the printer driver to each registered print setting.

[Embodiment 8]
The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined icon includes a specific symbol for recognizing the contents of each print setting.

  As a result, it is possible to assign a specific symbol that makes it easy for the user to understand the print settings, and the degree of freedom of symbol selection when selecting an icon is increased.

[Embodiment 9]
An instruction step for instructing the printer driver to execute printing by dragging and dropping a file icon created by an application onto the predetermined icon arranged on a screen displayed on a display device, the printer driver including the instruction 8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein print processing for a file created by the application is started in accordance with a print setting file set for the predetermined icon based on a drag-and-drop instruction in steps.

  Accordingly, a print result based on the print setting set to the predetermined icon can be obtained by an operation of dragging and dropping the icon of the file to be printed on the predetermined icon assigned by the user.

[Embodiment 10]
The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit stores the print setting file together with an input setting file name.

  This makes it possible to reliably select a print setting file to which a predetermined icon is assigned from among a plurality of print setting files.

[Embodiment 11]
8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined icon can be combined with text data indicating a printer name or image data indicating an appearance of the printer.

  This allows you to see the relationship between the print-set icon and the device at the same time, so even in a system environment where there are multiple output destinations, you can issue a print start instruction without error while checking the output destination. Yes.

[Embodiment 12]
8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the specific symbols are configured as symbols to assist in recognizing print type, print quality, paper size, print direction, number of copies, and the like.

  As a result, various setting contents set for printing are reflected, and an easy-to-understand icon can be assigned to the print setting file.

[Embodiment 13]
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the printing control method according to any one of embodiments 7 to 11.

  Thereby, there exists an effect of Embodiments 7-12.

[Embodiment 14]
A program that causes a printing control method according to any one of embodiments 7 to 11 to be executed.

  Thereby, there exists an effect of Embodiments 7-12.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the printing system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration used for typical print processing in the computer shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a RAM illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen by a printer driver displayed on the display device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a favorite addition setting screen displayed by the printer driver displayed on the display device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the favorite icon produced by the printer driver of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the shortcut printer file in the information processing apparatus which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the printing system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Display Device 102 Control Unit 103 Keyboard 104 Pointing Device 106 Printer PC Computer

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communicable printing apparatus,
Storage means for storing a plurality of print settings selected from the print setting screen by the printer driver as print setting files;
Setting means for assigning and setting a predetermined icon for recognizing the print setting contents in each print setting file stored in the storage means;
Arrangement means for arranging a predetermined icon assigned by the setting means on a screen displayed by a display device;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined icon includes a specific symbol for recognizing the contents of each print setting. Instructing means for instructing the printer driver to execute printing by dragging and dropping a file icon created by the application onto the predetermined icon arranged on the screen displayed by the display device,
The printer driver starts print processing for a file created by the application in accordance with a print setting file set for the predetermined icon based on a drag-and-drop instruction by the instruction unit. The information processing apparatus described.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the print setting file together with an input setting file name.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined icon can be combined with text data indicating a printer name or image data indicating an appearance of the printer.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific symbol is configured by a symbol that assists in recognizing a print type, print quality, paper size, print direction, number of copies, and the like. A printing control method in an information processing apparatus having a printer driver capable of setting a plurality of printing conditions for a communication printing apparatus,
A registration step of registering a plurality of print settings selected on the print setting screen by the printer driver in a storage means as a print setting file;
A setting step of assigning and setting a predetermined icon indicating the print setting contents to each print setting file registered in the storage means;
An arrangement step of arranging a predetermined icon assigned by the setting step on a screen displayed by a display device;
A printing control method characterized by comprising:   The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined icon includes a specific symbol for recognizing the contents of each print setting. An instruction step of instructing the printer driver to execute printing by dragging and dropping a file icon created by the application onto the predetermined icon arranged on the screen displayed on the display device;
8. The printer driver according to claim 7, wherein the printer driver starts print processing for a file created by the application according to a print setting file set for the predetermined icon based on a drag and drop instruction in the instruction step. The printing control method as described.   The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit stores the print setting file together with an input setting file name.   8. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined icon can be combined with text data indicating a printer name or image data indicating an appearance of the printer.   The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the specific symbol is configured as a symbol that assists in recognizing a print type, print quality, paper size, print direction, number of copies, and the like.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the printing control method according to claim 7.   A program for executing the printing control method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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