JP2007299325A - User interface control method, apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface control method, apparatus and program eliminating the need to modify a program for extracting preset data when changes such as addition or deletion of set items are made. <P>SOLUTION: When set items "color mode," "media" and "print quality" are selected, the requirements for specifying a combination of set items 1, 2 and the like to be automatically set is expressed using a logical formula. Logical valuables used in the logical formula are logical variables X1 to Xn (n is an integer of 2 or more) which become true when selected and false when unselected, and logical variables X1<SP>-</SP>to Xn<SP>-</SP>which become true when unselected and false when selected. If the logical valuable related to a setting mode among the logical valuables is Xp, the logical is expressed as ((first logical expression)ΛXp)V((second logical)ΛXp<SP>-</SP>.) A CPU calculates the logical expression E of a prohibition requirement and extracts the preset data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface control method, a user interface control device, and a program for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that selection of a plurality of setting items can be selected when setting printing conditions, for example, according to an input from the input unit About.

  For example, printing by a printer is performed by setting print setting information such as print size and paper type. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that can select print setting information using an input device on an input screen displayed on the display screen of a stand-alone printer. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a printer driver that displays a setting screen on which a user can set print setting information using an input device on the screen of a display device of a host computer. In the technique of Patent Document 2, a prohibition process is performed such that a paper tray with insufficient paper cannot be selected on the setting screen.

  Also, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, on the setting screen (user interface), a plurality of options are prepared for each of a plurality of setting items such as paper size, paper type, and printing speed, and the user desires for each setting item. The print setting information can be set by selecting the option.

  By the way, setting items that can be selected in this type of user interface include color / monochrome, high-speed printing (low-resolution printing) / photo printing (high-resolution printing), and no border, in addition to the above-described paper size and paper type. Various setting items such as printing / printing with borders can be selected.

  Also, in recent years, in the user interface displayed on the screen by the printer driver, even if the user does not set many options for setting items one by one, appropriate printing conditions are preset, and the user can perform the selection simply by performing a simple selection operation. A function for automatically setting various printing conditions has been provided. For example, if the main printing conditions desired by the user such as color mode (color / monochrome), media (plain paper / matte paper / glossy paper / ...), print quality (text / draft) are determined, The options of other detailed setting items prepared in advance are automatically set so that the print image quality and the like are as high as possible. A plurality of preset data of this type are prepared, and a user can set an appropriate printing condition automatically by a simple operation. There were two methods for the selection, for example. One is that when a preset number is selected on the user interface, preset data corresponding to the preset number is assigned, and appropriate printing conditions are automatically set. In the other one, a normal setting mode and a preset setting mode are prepared in the user interface. In the preset setting mode, options for main setting items such as the color mode, media, and print quality are selected. Then, preset data indicating a combination of options of detailed setting items determined to be appropriate when the option is set is assigned, and this is automatically set.

  Conventionally, a table in which preset data is associated with each preset number or each combination of choices of main setting items is provided, and an appropriate printing condition is assigned by referring to the table.

Even when the user selects setting item options and sets printing conditions, the combination of a certain setting item option A1 and another setting item option B1 is not suitable for obtaining an appropriate print image quality. In this case, when the option A1 is selected, the option B1 of other setting items is invalidated (hidden or grayed out). For example, when “Draft”, which gives priority to print speed over print quality, is selected in the print quality setting item, the “bidirectional print” setting item allows printing in only one direction of the carriage reciprocating scan. The option of bidirectional printing “off” is invalidated so that “unidirectional printing” having a low printing speed cannot be selected. In order to avoid such inappropriate combinations of options, it is determined from the prohibition conditions whether each setting item should be validated or invalidated, and options that cannot be set are invalidated. Is configured to control the user interface.
JP 2001-312491 A JP 2004-5455 A JP 2005-165713 A

  However, in the above two conventional methods, if the table format rule is changed later because the setting items are added or deleted later, the program on the driver side needs to be changed, which is vulnerable to the format change. was there. Further, the logic on the driver side that reads and sets the preset data cannot be shared with other logic such as logic for processing prohibited data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is a user interface control method that does not require a change in a program for extracting preset data when a setting item is added or deleted, etc. It is to provide a user interface control device and a program.

  The present invention is a user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that options can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit, and should be set in the plurality of setting items A logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable is stored in a storage unit as a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options, and a selection corresponding to the preset data from the input unit is stored. When there is input of information, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression and set by performing the logical expression after the application The setting item is a combination of a calculation step for acquiring information and a choice determined from the setting information acquired in the calculation step. And summarized in that and a processing step of setting a.

  According to this, when selection information is input from the input means, in the calculation step, the information in which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression and The setting information is obtained by calculating the logical expression after application. In the processing step, the setting item is set by a combination of options determined from the setting information acquired in the calculation step.

  In other words, by inputting the selection information, a specific option related to a specific setting item in the preset data is determined, and information in which this specific option is selected is applied (substitute) to the logical expression. Then, from the setting information obtained as a calculation result of the logical expression after application, combinations of options in the remaining setting items other than the setting item to which the specific option belongs in the preset data corresponding to the selection information are determined. Preset data is set by setting a combination of options relating to the remaining setting items as setting items together with setting of specific options. Therefore, according to this method, it is only necessary to have data of a logical expression expressing conditions for extracting preset data, and there is no need to have a table for extracting preset data as in the prior art. Therefore, when a change such as addition / deletion of setting items is made, there is no need to change the program for extracting the preset data because there is no format change that occurs in the configuration having the conventional table. Note that the selection information may be information that indicates that a specific option is selected, and may be information that the user has selected a specific option with a specific setting item using an input unit. Further, it may be information such as a preset number associated with a specific option.

  Further, in the user interface control method of the present invention, the logical expression is a logical variable that becomes true when the option is selected and becomes false when the option is not selected. Is defined for all options of all setting items, and is negated of the logical variables X1,..., Xn, and becomes true when no option is selected, and false when selected. Is preferably a logical expression that expresses a condition for specifying the preset data by defining logical variables X1…,..., Xn￣ and combining the logical variables by logical sum and logical product.

  According to this, if a sub-logical expression (Xa∧Xb∧Xc) is incorporated by a logical variable (for example, Xa, Xb, Xc) corresponding to an option determined from the selection information, a combination of this option is selected from the selection information. (Xa∧Xb∧Xc) = true (eg, “1”), and in the case of a combination of unselected options, (Xa∧Xb∧Xc) = false (eg, “−1”). . Further, if the sub logical expression of the preset data main body corresponding to the selection information is (Xd￣∨Xe￣∨Xf￣∨g￣∨...), The choices d, e, f, g,... need to be selected, and represents a combination of preset data options. Then, ((Xa ∧ Xb ∧ Xc) ∨ (Xd ￣∨ Xe ￣∨ Xf ￣∨ Xg ￣∨...)) Is set as one logical formula unit, and the logical formula units for each type of selection information are combined with a logical sum. Thus, for example, it becomes possible to construct a logical expression of a prohibition condition. Of course, it is possible to set the condition to permit the setting instead of the prohibition condition. In that case, the logical formula units are in the form of (Xa∧Xb∧Xc) ∨ (Xd∧Xe∧Xf∧Xg∨...), And logical formula units for each type of selection information are combined by logical sum, for example, It becomes possible to construct a logical expression of conditions for permission. Thus, by defining the logical variables X1, X2,..., Xn and the logical variables X1Ｘ, X2￣,..., Xn￣, it is possible to construct a logical expression that can specify preset data.

  In the user interface control method of the present invention, the plurality of setting items include a preset selection setting item for which an option is selected as the selection information, and a true / false of a logical variable corresponding to the option selected as the selection information. Corresponds to each option of the setting item for preset selection, false is divided into the setting item that becomes the preset data body part that specifies the option from the operation result of the logical expression applied to the corresponding logical variable in the logical expression Logical variables to be combined with logical products to form a first sub-logical expression (Xa1∧... Xan) (n is a natural number), and negation of logical variables corresponding to each option of the setting item as the preset data body portion To form a second sub-logical expression (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ∨Xbn￣) (n is a natural number) and express one preset data Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) ∨ (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ∨Xbn￣) is used as one logical expression unit, and a plurality of logical expression units expressing each preset data are combined with a logical sum to obtain the logical expression. Are preferably constructed.

  According to this, when a selection item of a specific setting item is selected as selection information, the portion of the first sub logical expression serving as selection information in the logical expression is (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) = 1 ( True) Other than this, the portion of the first sub-logical formula for which no option is selected is (Xa1∧... Xan) = − 1 (false). Therefore, in the plurality of logical expression units in the logical expression, the portion of the first sub logical expression serving as the selection information remains that includes (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) = 1 (true), and the other (Xa1 ∧ ... ∧Xan) = those containing -1 disappear. That is, the part of (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) functions as a switch. Then, (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨... ∨Xbn￣) in the logical expression unit including the first sub logical expression that functions as a switch is the calculation result. (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ∨Xbn￣) means that selection other than the options corresponding to these logical variables is prohibited. In other words, these options must be selected. Means. As a result, a combination of one option is specified, and a combination of options in the preset data body portion is specified. The logical formula units (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) ∨ (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ∨Xbn￣) indicate logical formula structures, and are Xa1, Xan, Xb1￣, Xb2￣, ... Xbn￣. Appropriate logical variables are arranged for each logical formula unit.

  Further, in the user interface control method of the present invention, the user interface is based on a preset setting mode in which the selection information is inputted and the setting item options are automatically set, and the setting item options are input based on the input of the input means. Other setting item options that are controlled so as to be switched to a normal setting mode in which selection is made and the combination of the setting items should be prohibited when the setting item option is selected in the normal setting mode A logical expression obtained by combining a second logical expression expressing a condition for specifying an option to be invalidated in order to invalidate the selection and a first logical expression that is the preset logical expression by a logical sum. It is preferably stored in the storage means.

  According to this, an integrated logical expression is used by combining a first logical expression that expresses preset data and a second logical expression that expresses a condition for specifying an option for which selection should be prohibited by a logical sum. . Therefore, the logic for reading, calculating, and setting data can be shared between the processing in the normal setting mode and the processing in the preset setting mode, and the program can be shared.

  The present invention is a user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit, wherein the user interface is in a plurality of setting modes. The mode information is controlled to be switchable, includes the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode, and indicates that one of the setting modes is selected. Then, one of the first logical expression and the second logical expression is valid according to the selected setting mode, and the other logical expression according to the other non-selected setting mode is invalid. Data of a logical expression on which a logical operation is performed is stored in a storage unit, and when input information related to setting is input from the input unit, the input information and the mode information are converted into the logical expression. A calculation step of acquiring setting information by performing calculation of the logical expression, and a processing step of performing a predetermined process according to the selected setting mode based on the setting information acquired in the calculation step. The summary is provided.

  According to this, when input information related to the setting is input from the input means in one of the plurality of setting modes, the mode information indicating that the setting mode is selected and the input information are applied to the logical expression in the calculation step. Then, setting information is acquired by performing the operation of the logical expression. In the calculation of this logical expression, if mode information indicating that the setting mode is selected is applied, the sub logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid and the non-selected sub logical expression becomes invalid. When the sub-logical expression that is not selected is invalidated, the same operation result (setting information) as that obtained when the operation is performed based only on the sub-logical expression corresponding to the setting mode at that time is obtained. In the processing step, a predetermined process corresponding to the selected setting mode is performed based on the setting information acquired in the calculation step. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of setting modes, operations for each setting mode can be performed using a common logical expression. For example, it is possible to use a common operation program between setting modes, which is necessary. Software resources can be reduced. The setting information includes setting information in a narrow sense for setting a predetermined option for a setting item, and prohibition information for specifying an option that can be set or cannot be set for the setting item.

  The present invention is a user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit, wherein the user interface is in a plurality of setting modes. A first logical expression that is switchable and that can acquire preset information that defines a combination of options to be set for each setting item based on first input information that is input when the user interface is in the first setting mode; A second logical expression capable of acquiring prohibition information that can determine whether the option for each setting item is valid or invalid based on second input information that is input when the user interface is in the second setting mode, and Mode information indicating that one of the first setting mode and the second setting mode is selected is appropriate. As a result, a logical expression in which one of the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid and the other corresponding to the non-selected setting mode becomes invalid is performed. When the first input information is input, the mode information indicating that the first setting mode is selected and the first input information are applied to the logical expression. If the preset information is obtained by performing the operation of the logical expression and the second input information is input, the mode information indicating that the second setting mode is selected and the second input information are A calculation step of applying prohibition information by applying the logical expression to the logical expression and a predetermined mode corresponding to the setting mode being selected based on the setting information or the prohibition information acquired in the calculation step Processing steps for processing And summarized in that with a.

  According to this, when the first input information is input in the first setting mode, the mode information indicating that the first setting mode is selected and the first input information are applied to the logical expression in the calculation step. Preset information is acquired by performing the operation of the logical expression. In the processing step, a predetermined process corresponding to the first setting mode is performed based on the acquired preset information. In this case, as a predetermined process, for example, a setting process for setting a combination of options determined from preset information as a setting item is performed. In addition, when the second input information is input in the second setting mode, the logical expression is obtained by applying the mode information indicating that the second setting mode is selected and the second input information to the logical expression in the calculation step. The prohibition information is obtained by performing the operation of. In the processing step, a predetermined process corresponding to the second setting mode is performed based on the acquired prohibition information. In this case, for example, an invalidation process for invalidating an option determined from prohibition information to an unselectable state or a process for notifying that an option included in the second input information cannot be set is performed as the predetermined process. Is called.

  In the user interface control method of the present invention, it is preferable that the logical expression is expressed by combining logical variables corresponding to the options and the mode information with logical operators.

  According to this, since the logical expression uses logical variables corresponding to each of the option and the mode information, it is possible to specify a combination of options according to the state value indicating the selection state of the mode information.

  Further, in the user interface control method of the present invention, the logical expression is logical variables X1,..., Xn (n is an integer of 2 or more) that is true when selected and false when not selected. , Xn￣, which is the negation of the logical variables X1,..., Xn and becomes true when not selected and becomes false when selected. It is preferable that the logical formula is a combination of logical sum and logical product.

  According to this, since the logical variables X1,..., Xn and the negative logical variables X1￣,..., Xn 用 い are used, the range of conditions in which the logical expression can be expressed is widened. For example, a prohibition condition for prohibiting selection or a condition for allowing selection can be handled, and it is also possible to deal with a case where a plurality of options to be invalidated exist in the same setting item.

  Further, in the user interface control method of the present invention, the logical expression is expressed as follows: Xp is a logical variable related to the setting mode, and ((first logical expression) ∧Xp) ￣ ((second logical equation) ∧Xp￣). Xp is a logical variable that is true when the setting mode is selected and is false when the setting mode is not selected, and Xp￣ is true when the setting mode is not selected. It is preferably a logical variable that is false when selected.

  According to this, since the logical variable Xp is true (for example, “1”) and the logical variable Xp 論理 is false (for example, “−1”) when the setting mode is selected, ((first logical formula) ∧Xp) ∨ ((second logical formula) ∧Xp￣) = (first logical formula). Further, when the setting mode is not selected, the logical variable Xp is false (eg, “−1”) and the logical variable Xp￣ is true (eg, “1”), so ((first logical formula) ∧Xp) ∨ ((second logical expression) ∧Xp￣) = (second logical expression). Since the logical variable Xp functions as a kind of switch, one of the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to the setting mode can be selected. As described above, the mode information has a switch function for selecting a logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode, so that even if there are a plurality of setting modes, each logical expression and the operation program used for its operation are shared. Can contribute to the saving of software resources.

  In the user interface control method of the present invention, the logical expression comprises a numerical sequence in which the logical variables and logical operators are converted into numerical values.

  According to this, since the calculation target in the calculation step is a numerical string after the application of the information (state value), it is not necessary to perform a logical expression analysis process, and the calculation process by a computer, for example, can be completed easily.

  In the user interface control method of the present invention, it is preferable that the application of information to the logical expression in the calculation step is such that a state value of a logical variable corresponding to the information is replaced with a corresponding numerical value in the numerical sequence. .

  According to this, since the application of the information in the calculation step to the logical expression is based on the replacement of the state value with the corresponding numerical value in the numerical sequence, it is retained in the numerical sequence even after the application of the state value. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform logical expression analysis processing at the time of calculation, and for example, calculation processing by a computer can be easily completed.

In the user interface control method of the present invention, it is preferable that the numerical sequence is a numerical sequence in which numerical values are arranged in the order in which the logical expressions are rearranged in reverse Polish notation.
According to this, since the numerical values of the numerical sequence are arranged in order in the calculation, the numerical sequence can be calculated by referring to the numerical values in order. Therefore, for example, the arithmetic processing of the numerical sequence by the computer is simplified.

In the user interface control method of the present invention, it is preferable that the numerical sequence is calculated by stack calculation in the calculation step.
According to this, in the calculation step, the numerical sequence is calculated by stack calculation. Since the calculation can be performed by referring to the numerical values in accordance with the order of the numerical sequence, the calculation processing by the computer can be easily completed.

  In the user interface control method of the present invention, in the calculation step, the numerical values in the numerical sequence are sequentially referred to on the working memory for storing the numerical sequences in the calculation, and the memory area where the reference of the numerical values is finished Is used as a stack area, and when the reference numerical value corresponds to a logical variable, the reference numerical value is pushed to the stack area, and when the reference numerical value corresponds to a logical operator, a plurality of It is preferable to perform the operation on the numerical sequence by popping numerical values, performing an operation defined by the logical operator on the plurality of numerical values, and pushing the operation result to the stack area.

  According to this, the numerical values in the numerical sequence stored in the working memory are sequentially referred to, and the memory area where the numerical values have been referred to is utilized as a stack area. When the reference numerical value is a numerical value assigned to the logical variable, the reference numerical value is pushed to the stack area, and when the reference numerical value is a numerical value obtained by assigning to the logical operator, a plurality of (two) from the stack area. A numerical value is popped, an operation defined by the logical operator is performed on the plurality of numerical values, and the operation result is pushed onto the stack area. By repeating such a stack operation, the operation of the numerical sequence is advanced. Since the memory area after the numerical reference on the working memory is used as the stack area, it is not necessary to prepare a separate memory area for stack calculation.

  The present invention is a user interface control device that controls a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit, and should be set in the plurality of setting items A storage means for storing a logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable for a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options; and selection information corresponding to the preset data from the input means When there is an input, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression, and setting information is calculated by performing an operation on the logical expression after the application. The setting item is set by a combination of a calculation means to be acquired and options determined from the setting information acquired by the calculation means. And gist that a physical means.

  The present invention is a user interface control device for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit, and based on an input from the input unit, A mode switching means for switching the setting mode of the user interface, and a first logical expression and a second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode, and one of the setting modes is selected. When the mode information is applied, one logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid among the first logical expression and the second logical expression, and another logical expression corresponding to the other selected setting mode is selected. A storage unit that stores data of a logical expression on which a logical operation that invalidates the logical expression is performed, and when input information related to the setting is input from the input unit, the input information and the module Calculating means that applies setting information to the logical expression and calculates the logical expression, and a predetermined value corresponding to the setting mode being selected based on the setting information acquired in the calculating step And a processing means for performing the above-described processing.

  According to this, the setting mode of the user interface is switched by the mode switching unit based on the input from the input unit. When the input information related to the setting is input from the input means, the arithmetic means reads the data of the logical expression from the storage means, and applies the mode information indicating that the setting mode is selected and the input information to the logical expression. Get the setting information by calculating the logical expression. Then, the processing means performs a predetermined process according to the selected setting mode based on the setting information acquired by the calculation means. At the time of calculation by the calculation means, the mode information indicating that the setting mode is selected is applied to the logical expression, so that the logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid in the logical operation of the logical expression, and is not selected. The logical expression corresponding to the setting mode is invalid. In other words, in the course of the logical operation of the logical expression, the logical expression corresponding to the non-selected setting mode is deleted from the logical expression, the logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode remains, and the logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode remains selected. A logical expression is calculated according to the setting mode. Therefore, since a common logical expression is used for each calculation for each setting mode, the calculation logic can be shared. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide arithmetic logic individually for each setting mode, and for example, software resources necessary for user interface control processing can be reduced.

  The present invention can also be realized as a program executed by a computer. Then, the present invention is a user interface control program for causing a computer to execute a process for controlling a user interface displayed on the display unit based on an input from the input unit so that options can be input for each of a plurality of setting items. And storing in the storage means a logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable, a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options to be set in the plurality of setting items, When the computer receives selection information corresponding to the preset data from the input means, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression. And calculating the logical expression after the application to obtain setting information; And summarized in that a combination of choices determined from the setting information acquired in step a program for executing a processing step of setting the setting item. By causing a computer to execute this program, the method and apparatus of the present invention can be realized, and the same effects as those of the above-described method and apparatus can be obtained.

  The present invention is a user interface control program in which a computer executes a process of controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit based on an input from an input unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items. The interface is controlled to be switchable to a plurality of setting modes, includes a first logical expression and a second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode, and that one of the setting modes is selected from the setting modes. When the mode information is applied, one of the first logical formula and the second logical formula corresponding to the setting mode being selected becomes valid, and the other logical mode corresponding to the other non-selected setting mode is enabled. The data of a logical expression that is subjected to a logical operation that invalidates the logical expression is stored in the storage means, and the computer inputs the input information related to the setting from the input means. Then, the input information and the mode information are applied to the logical expression and the setting information is acquired by performing the calculation of the logical expression, and the selection is performed based on the setting information acquired in the calculating step. The gist of the present invention is a program for executing processing steps for performing predetermined processing according to the setting mode. By causing a computer to execute this program, the method and apparatus of the present invention can be realized, and the same effects as those of the above-described method and apparatus can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing system. The printing system includes a computer 11 including a personal computer and a printer 21 connected to an interface (hereinafter “I / F 17”) of the computer 11. The printer 21 is, for example, an ink jet printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 11 includes a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 15, a video circuit 16, an I / F 17, a bus 18, a display device 19, and an input device 20.

Here, the CPU 12 is a control unit that executes various arithmetic processes according to programs stored in the ROM 13 and the HDD 15 and controls each unit of the apparatus.
The ROM 13 is a memory that stores basic programs executed by the CPU 12 and data. The RAM 14 is a memory that temporarily stores programs being executed by the CPU 12, data being calculated, and the like.

  The HDD 15 is a storage device that reads data and programs stored in the hard disk in response to a request from the CPU 12 and stores data generated as a result of the arithmetic processing of the CPU 12 in the hard disk.

The video circuit 16 is a circuit that executes a drawing process according to a drawing command supplied from the CPU 12, converts the obtained image data into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the display device 19.
The I / F 17 is a circuit that appropriately converts the expression format of the signal output from the input device 20 and outputs print data to the printer 21.

The bus 18 is a signal line that connects the CPU 12, ROM 13, RAM 14, HDD 15, video circuit 16, and I / F 17 to each other and enables data exchange between them.
The display device 19 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor, and displays an image according to the video signal output from the video circuit 16.

The input device 20 is configured by, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is a device that generates a signal corresponding to a user operation and supplies the signal to the I / F 17.
Hereinafter, each functional portion shown in FIG. 2 will be described individually.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an application program, a video driver program, a printer driver program, and the like are installed in the computer 11, and these operate under a predetermined operating system (OS). The application unit 23, the video driver 24, and the printer driver 25 are constructed by the CPU 12 built in the computer 11 executing the above-described various programs stored in the HDD 15 or the like.

  The printer driver 25 includes a UI control device 30 and a printing unit 38. The UI control device 30 includes a storage unit 31, a data load unit 32, a table creation unit 33, a calculation unit 34, a UI control unit 35, and a printing unit 38. These functional parts are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the computer 11 and the software stored in the HDD 15.

  The application unit 23 has a function of performing image editing, for example, and can process an image captured from a digital camera or an image drawn by a user. The image handled by the application unit 23 is displayed on the screen of the display device 19 by being output to the video driver 24. When the input unit 20 is operated to accept a print execution command, the application unit 23 outputs the image data to be printed to the printer driver 25.

  The video driver 24 is a program for driving the video circuit 16. For example, the video driver 24 performs gamma processing, white balance adjustment, and the like on the image data supplied from the application unit 23, and then generates and displays a video signal. The image is supplied to the device 19 and displayed. The printer driver 25 displays the image data of the UI 26 on the screen of the display device 19 via the video driver 24.

  The printer driver 25 is a user interface control device (hereinafter referred to as “UI control device 30”) that performs display control of a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “UI 26”) for the user to input and set printing conditions on the screen of the display device 19. Is provided). When the user operates the input device 20 to input a command related to printing such as a print execution command or a print setting display command to the application unit 23, the UI control device 30 is activated by the printer driver 25 that has received the command. Is done.

  The UI control device 30 displays a UI 26 having a setting screen on which setting items such as paper size, media, and color mode are selectable. For example, one of selection function units such as a combo box, a radio button, and a check box is associated with each setting item constituting the printing condition in the UI 26, and the user can set each setting item on the UI 26. A desired printing condition is set by selecting and changing the selection function unit for each selection as necessary. In the present embodiment, the UI 26 includes a normal setting mode setting screen (hereinafter referred to as “normal setting screen 26A”) shown in FIG. 12A and a preset setting mode setting screen (hereinafter referred to as “normal setting screen 26A”) shown in FIG. "Preset setting screen 26B").

  FIG. 11 shows various setting screens related to the preset. FIG. 11A shows a preset setting screen, and FIG. 11B shows a detailed setting screen. FIG. 12 shows a normal setting screen. In the preset setting screen 26B shown in FIG. 11, three main setting items “color mode”, “media”, and “print quality” are prepared. As options for each setting item, color / monochrome is prepared for the color mode, plain paper / OHP paper / matte paper / glossy paper, etc. are prepared for the media, and draft / text is prepared for the print quality. ing. When the OK button 29 is operated in a state in which these three types of setting item options are selected, according to the combination of the three types of setting item options from among the setting item options prepared on the detailed setting screen 26C. Appropriate options are automatically selected. The detailed setting screen 26C is a setting screen that is displayed when a detailed setting button (not shown) is operated on the normal setting screen 26A shown in FIG. 12, and is automatically set when setting is performed on the preset setting screen 26B. Therefore, it is not displayed.

  In the detailed setting screen 26C shown in FIG. 11B, four setting items, for example, “setting item 1”, “setting item 2”, “setting item 3”, and “setting item 4” are prepared. In this example, “setting item 1” is an item for selecting ON / OFF of “bidirectional printing”, and “setting item 2” is an item for selecting ON / OFF of “microweave”. The UI control device 30 activated at the time of the print execution command or the print setting display command first displays the normal setting screen 26A, and when there is an input by operating a preset button (not shown) on the normal setting screen 26A, A preset setting screen 26B shown in FIG. 11A is displayed. Note that the number and setting contents of setting items that can be set on the preset setting screen 26B can be changed as appropriate, and the number and setting contents of setting items that can be set on the detailed setting screen 26C can also be changed as appropriate. If there are many setting items, there may be a plurality of detailed setting screens, or a hierarchical structure in which more detailed detailed setting screens are prepared below one option of setting items on the detailed setting screen.

  In the normal setting screen 26A shown in FIG. 12, for example, “paper size”, “color mode”, and “media” are prepared as setting items. FIG. 11B displayed when the detailed setting button is operated. The other setting item options can be selected on the detailed setting screen 26C shown. In this case, there are combinations of options that cannot be set together between setting items. For example, a combination of “glossy paper” set at the time of photo printing in the setting item “media” and “draft” not suitable for photo printing in the setting item “print quality” corresponds to this. By prohibiting combinations that are inappropriate as options from being set in advance, it is possible to prevent the user from printing under inappropriate printing conditions. As a method for preventing a printing condition from being set by a combination of selections that are prohibited from being selected, a method that disables selection by the user by graying out the selection-prohibited options is employed. The normal setting screen 26A is provided with an OK button 27 that is operated when setting is confirmed. It should be noted that the method of disabling selections that have been prohibited from being selected cannot be selected.

  The setting items that can be selected on the UI 26 for setting the printing conditions include, for example, about 10 to 20 although they are different depending on the model of the printer 21 including those set on the lower setting screen such as the detailed setting screen. About 2 to 10 choices prepared for each setting item are selected one by one for each setting item, and printing conditions are set.

  When the UI control device 30 shown in FIG. 2 obtains an input in which the option has been changed on the normal setting screen 26A and the detailed setting screen 26C, the UI control device 30 determines an option whose combination is prohibited from among the options of the other setting items. If the selected option exists, a process for invalidating the selected option is performed.

  The UI control device 30 obtains an input in which the option is changed on the normal setting screen 26A, and a determination process for determining an option to be preset when an input in which the OK button 29 is operated is obtained on the preset setting screen 26B. Sometimes, a determination process is performed to determine an option whose selection should be prohibited. These determination processes are performed based on prohibition data (numerical string) obtained by digitizing a common logical expression. When the UI control device 30 obtains an input for starting UI control as a trigger for starting the determination process on the normal setting screen 26A or the preset setting screen 26B, the state value of each option selected in the mode at that time is a numeric string. And the preset data or prohibition information is obtained from the calculation result obtained by calculating the numeric string after the substitution. Based on the acquired prohibition information, options to be preset are specified in the preset setting mode, while options to be disabled in the normal setting mode are specified.

  In this embodiment, a numerical value sequence 55 obtained by converting a logical expression 52 created by the computer 50 on the printer manufacturer side shown in FIG. 2 into a numerical value is stored in the CD-ROM 41 together with the printer driver program. Supplied to users. Then, a printer driver program and various data are installed in the user's computer 11 from the CD-ROM 41, whereby the printer driver 25 having the UI control device 30 is installed in the computer 11.

  Here, processing performed by the computer 50 will be described. The computer 50 is equipped with a tool for a developer to develop the UI control device 30 for the printer, and includes a numerical string creating unit 51 as a part of the function of the tool. The development tool is configured by software, and the numerical value string creating unit 51 is constructed as a part of the function by the computer 50 executing the software. The numerical value sequence creating unit 51 creates a logical expression 52 based on prohibition information given by a developer operating an input means (not shown), and converts the logical expression 52 into a numerical value sequence 55 according to a predetermined rule. Convert. The logical expression 52 is a logical expression in which a forbidden condition that determines a combination that should be prohibited among a plurality of setting items is expressed as an option as a logical variable. Shared with the identification of alternatives whose selection should be prohibited. Details of the logical expression 52 will be described later.

Next, components of the UI control device 30 will be described.
The storage unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by a predetermined storage area or memory of the HDD 15 and stores data necessary for UI control processing. As described above, the data of the numerical value sequence 55 read from the CD-ROM 41 is stored in the storage unit 31. In addition, the storage unit 31 is provided with a predetermined storage area for managing, with a flag, the state value of the selected state, which state is selected / unselected for each option on the UI 26. In the initial state, default values are set for the respective state values (flags), and the flag value is changed each time the selection state of the option is changed by the operation of the input device 20.

  When there is the input that triggers the UI control processing start from the input device 20, the data load unit 32 includes state value (flag) data indicating the selection state of each option on the setting screen according to the mode at that time, and numerical values The data in the column 55 is loaded from the storage unit 31. In the present embodiment, an operation input in which the selection state of the option is changed serves as a trigger for starting the UI control process.

The table creation unit 33 creates a table 44 (shown in FIG. 3) based on the data of the numerical value sequence 55 loaded by the data loading unit 32 and the state value for each option.
The calculation unit 34 refers to the table 44 created by the table creation unit 33 and replaces the numeric value assigned to the logical variable of each option among the many numeric values constituting the numeric string 55 with the state value of the corresponding option. Process. That is, a process of substituting the state value into the logical variable of the logical expression expressed by the numerical value sequence 55 is performed. And the predetermined calculation process which calculates the numerical sequence after state value application is performed.

  In the preset setting mode, the UI control unit 35 sets options to be preset specified from the calculation result of the calculation unit 34. That is, the state value of each option managed in the predetermined storage area of the storage unit 31 is forcibly switched to a state in which the option to be preset is selected. Further, in the normal setting mode, an option that cannot be set is determined from the calculation result of the calculation unit 34. If an option that cannot be set exists, the setting is not set on the normal setting screen 26A and the detailed setting screen 26C. Switch the possible choices to a grayout state that cannot be selected.

  When the input of operating the OK buttons 27 and 29 on the UI 26 is given, the printing unit 38 reads the state value data from the storage unit 31 to acquire print setting information, and converts the resolution to image data to be printed. Print data generated by performing processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and rasterization processing is output to the printer 21. The print data is data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 21 and includes the pixel data and various command data.

  The resolution conversion process is a process for converting, for example, the resolution of an RGB image to be printed into a print resolution determined from the options of the setting item “print quality”. Further, when this processing is performed, scaling processing or trimming processing for scaling to an image size corresponding to the paper size determined from the option of the setting item “paper size” is performed as necessary. The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB image data expressed in the RGB color system into image data of the CMYK color system with reference to a color conversion table (not shown). The halftone process is a process of converting CMYK pixel data having multi-stage gradation values into CMYK pixel data having small-stage gradation values that can be expressed by the printer 21. The rasterization process is a process for changing the CMYK image data subjected to the halftone process in the order of data to be transferred to the printer 21. The rasterized data is output to the printer 21 as print data to which a command is attached.

  Next, the numerical value sequence 55 will be described. The numerical value sequence 55 is created by the computer 50 on the printer manufacturer side, and the creation procedure will be described below. FIG. 3 shows a table for explaining the flow of processing for converting preset data into logical variables. FIG. 4A is a preset table, FIG. 4B is a logical variable conversion table, and FIG. 4C is a preset table after logical variable conversion.

  In the preset table 61 shown in FIG. 5A, a preset number is assigned for each combination of main setting items “color mode”, “media”, and “print quality”, and preset data is set for each. Preset data is a data string in which combinations of options to be set in a plurality of setting items other than main setting items are set. Here, in the present embodiment, setting item 1 is an on / off setting for bidirectional printing, and setting item 2 is an on / off setting for microweave. Therefore, setting item 1 and setting item 2 are on. Or off is set. In addition, for setting items having three or more options such as setting item 3 and setting item 4, any one of the setting items is set. Note that the preset number does not have to be attached for convenience of explanation.

  The logical variable conversion table 62 shown in FIG. 3B is a table for converting the choice for each setting item into a logical variable, and a logical variable corresponding to each of the choices is set. For example, in the setting item “color mode”, the logical variable “X1” is set in the option “color”, and the logical variable “X2” is set in the option “monochrome”. Hereinafter, the options of other setting items include plain paper “X3”, OHP sheet “X4”, draft “X5”, text “X6”, bidirectional printing on “X7”, bidirectional printing off “X8”, Microweave on “X9”, microweave off “X10”,... Are set. In addition to plain paper and OHP sheets, there are a plurality of options for media, and logical variables are actually set for all options. In FIG. 3B, for convenience of explanation, plain paper and OHP are used. An example is shown in which a logical variable is set only for a sheet.

  Here, the setting items will be described. The setting item “color mode” is used to select color printing or monochrome printing. The setting item “media” is for selecting a print medium, and there are options such as “plain paper, OHP sheet, matte paper, glossy paper, semi-glossy paper,. The setting item “print quality” has “draft” and “text” as options. “Draft” refers to printing (draft printing) that prioritizes printing speed over printing quality, and option “text” refers to printing that prioritizes printing quality over printing speed.

  The setting item “bidirectional printing” includes “on” and “off”. When “ON” is set, bidirectional printing (Bi-d) is set in which printing is performed in both directions of carriage reciprocating scanning. Direction printing (Uni-d) is set. The print quality is better for unidirectional printing than for bidirectional printing, and the printing speed is better for bidirectional printing than for unidirectional printing. For this reason, bidirectional printing is set in the draft mode giving priority to the printing speed, and unidirectional printing is set in the text mode giving priority to the print quality.

  The setting item “Microweave” includes “On” and “Off”. When “ON” is set, a recording method called microweave giving priority to print quality is set, and when “OFF”, a recording method called band printing giving priority to printing speed is set. Band printing makes maximum use of the number of nozzles of the recording head, so the printing speed is fast, but the dot landing position deviation (head flight curve) and paper feed error due to individual differences for each nozzle are visually noticeable. Easy recording method. In addition, microweave printing prints adjacent dots in the sub-scanning direction (paper feed direction) with different nozzles, so the paper feed amount is small, but head flight bends and paper feed amount errors are dispersed and visually inconspicuous, This is a recording method that can provide good image quality. For this reason, band printing is set in the draft mode giving priority to the printing speed, and microweave printing is set in the text mode giving priority to the print quality. Examples of other setting items to be preset include borderless printing and APF (automatic image quality adjustment). All of these setting items are set on / off.

  A preset table 63 shown in FIG. 3C represents the preset table 61 shown in FIG. The preset table 63 is created by converting each option in the preset table 61 into a logical variable with reference to the logical variable conversion table 62 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a table for explaining the flow of processing for creating a logical expression. (A) is a preset logical expression table, (b) is a preset logical expression, (c) is a manual prohibition logical expression, (d) is a preset table after logical variable conversion, (e) ) Represents a logical expression.

  The preset logical expression table 64 shown in FIG. 4A represents the preset condition for each preset number in the preset table 63 shown in FIG. For example, in the preset number “1”, the logical variables assigned to the choices of the main setting items are combined with logical products (X1∧X3∧X5), and the other setting items 1, 2, 3,. A logical expression is set in which negation of the assigned logical variable is combined with logical sum (X7￣∨X9￣∨X11￣∨X14￣∨).

  The logical variables used in the logical expression include “X1, X2, X3, X4, X5,...” And “X1￣, X2￣, X3￣, X4￣, X5￣,. The logical variable Xn (where n = 1, 2,...) Becomes true (TRUE) when the option N represented by the logical variable Xn is selected, and false when the option N is not selected. ) Is a logical variable. On the other hand, the logical variable Xn￣ (where n = 1, 2,...) Is true when the option N represented by the logical variable Xn is not selected, and when this option N is selected. It is a logical variable that is false. Each of the logical variables Xn and Xn￣ takes a value “1” when it is true (TRUE) and takes a value “−1” when it is false (FALSE).

  Here, in the example of preset number 1, among the logical expressions, (X1∧X3∧X5) is true when all of the logical variables X1, X3, and X5 are selected, and even one of them is true. False if there is something not selected. Of these logical expressions, (X7￣∨X9￣∨X11￣∨X14￣∨ ...) is true if at least one of the logical variables X7￣, X9￣, X11￣, X14￣ is true. This logical expression means that all of the logical variables X7, X9, X11, and X14 must be selected under the prohibition condition described later.

  FIG. 4B shows a preset logical expression. The preset logical expression Ep is a logical expression in which the logical expressions corresponding to the preset numbers in the preset logical expression table 64 shown in FIG. The preset logical expression Ep is a logical expression of a prohibition condition that specifies a combination of options to be preset. In each row on the right side of the preset logical expression Ep in FIG. 4B, the logical expressions (X1∧X3∧X5), (X1∧X3∧X6), (X1∧X4∧X5),. True (TRUE) = 1 when all the corresponding options are selected among the items, and false (FALSE) = − 1 if any one of the corresponding options is not selected. For this reason, the value of the logical expression in the row (preset number) in which the previous logical expression is FALSE = −1 is “−1” (∵−1∧A = −1). Therefore, the logical expression of the row (preset number) in which the logical expression of the preceding stage is true (TRUE) = 1 is equal to the logical expression of the subsequent stage of the row, and the logical expression of this subsequent stage is equal to the preset logical expression Ep. .

  For example, if (X1∧X3∧X5) = 1 in the first row, the previous stage (X1∧X3∧X6), (X1∧X4∧X5),. Since the logical expressions of the other rows are all “−1”, in this case, the preset logical expression Ep = (X7￣∨X9￣∨X11￣∨X14￣∨...). That is, the preceding logical expressions (X1∧X3∧X5), (X1∧X3∧X6), (X1∧X4∧X5), ... function as a kind of switch.

  Since this preset logical expression Ep represents a prohibition condition, in the case of the above example, all of the logical variables X7, X9, X11, and X14 must be selected on the prohibition condition as described above. Means that. As described above, when one combination of choices of the main setting items “color mode”, “media”, and “print quality” is determined on the preset setting screen 26B, the preset logical expression Ep is set to be preset corresponding to the combination. The combination of options of the setting items “setting item 1”, “setting item 2”... Can be specified.

  FIG. 4C shows a manual prohibition logical expression. The manual prohibition logical expression Em expresses a prohibition condition specifying a combination of options that cannot be set in the normal setting mode by a logical expression. This manual prohibition logical formula Em can specify an option that cannot be set in combination with the changed option when the option in a certain setting item is changed.

  For combinations of options to be prohibited, logical variables representing the respective combinations are connected by logical product (∧). For example, “Xn∧Xm”, “Xn￣∧Xm”, “Xn∧Xm￣”, “Xn￣∧” Xm￣ ”,“ (Xn∧Xm) ∧Xl ”,... Each of these prohibited combinations connected by logical product is connected by logical sum (∨) to form a small group formula, and the small group formula connected by the logical sum is another small group. For example, the logical expression 52 is constructed by being connected to the above expression by logical sum. Therefore, when it is desired to add a certain prohibited combination, each logical variable corresponding to the prohibited combination in the logical expression is connected by a logical product (∧), for example, “Xn∧Xm” or the expression of the small group, What is necessary is just to add to the existing logical formula 52 in the form connected by the logical sum. In addition, when it is desired to delete a prohibited combination, each logical variable corresponding to the prohibited combination is connected by a logical product (∧), for example, “Xn∧Xm” or the formula of the small group is replaced with an existing logical formula. What is necessary is just to delete from 52. If the logical expression 52 is used in this way, addition / deletion of prohibited combinations can be performed relatively easily.

  For example, when a plurality of setting item options are set and there are other setting items that are not yet set, for example, when Em = X1∨X4￣ is obtained as a calculation result, in the prohibition condition, that This means that the setting item of the setting is prohibited from selecting the option of the logical variable X1, and is prohibited from selecting the option of the logical variable X4. That is, selection of the logical variable X1 is prohibited (selection prohibited), which means that the alternative of the logical variable X4 must be selected. In this embodiment, the option corresponding to the logical variable whose setting is prohibited is invalidated (grayed out) so that it cannot be selected.

  FIG. 4D shows a setting mode table. The setting mode table 65 shows the correspondence between ON / OFF of the preset setting mode and the logical variable. When the preset button 28 shown in FIG. 12 prepared on the normal setting screen 26A is operated and the preset setting screen 26B is displayed, the preset setting mode is turned on and the preset button 28 is not operated and the normal setting screen is displayed. The preset setting mode is turned off when 26A is displayed. The logical variable Xp is true when the preset setting mode is on and false when it is off. The logical variable XpＸ is true when the preset setting mode is off, and false when it is on. The logical variables Xp and Xp￣ both take a value of “−1” when true (TRUE) and “1” when false (FALSE).

  FIG. 4E shows a forbidden logical expression. The prohibition logical expression E is assembled into one logical expression including a preset logical expression Ep shown in FIG. 4B and a manual prohibition logical expression Em shown in FIG. This forbidden logical expression E is expressed by E = (Ep∧Xp) ∨ (Em∧Xp￣) using the ON / OFF logic variable Xp in the preset setting mode. When the preset setting mode is on, (Ep∧Xp) = Ep and (Em∧Xp￣) = − 1, so that E = Ep. On the other hand, when the preset setting mode is off, since (Ep∧Xp) = − 1 and (Em∧Xp￣) = Em, E = Em. Thus, in the forbidden logical expression E, the logical variable Xp representing ON / OFF of the preset setting mode functions as a kind of switch. In the present embodiment, by using this forbidden logical expression E, it is possible to use a common logical expression in the preset setting and the normal setting.

  Next, a process for generating a numerical string from the logical expression 52 (forbidden logical expression E) performed by the computer 50 on the printer manufacturer side will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the computer 50. A series of processing for creating a numeric string is performed by the numeric string creating unit 51. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the processing performed by the numerical sequence creating unit 51 includes (a) creation of a logical expression 52, (b) rearrangement into reverse Polish notation, (c) logical variable It consists mainly of three processes: a logical symbol numeric conversion process.

  The numerical formula 52 shown in FIG. 5A is created by the numerical value string creating unit 51 of the computer 50 based on the above-described method. When a developer operates an input device (not shown) to define a logical variable of options as necessary and inputs preset information and prohibited combination information in response to a request from the numerical value string creation unit 51, The numerical value string creating unit 51 creates the logical expression 52 according to the rules described above.

  That is, the numerical sequence creation unit 51 sets all the logical variables X1, X2, X3,... That are true (TRUE) when a specific option in a setting item is selected, and false (FALSE) when a specific option is not selected. Define all options for the setting items. Next, negation of X1, X2, X3,..., That is, logical variables X1￣, X2￣, X3￣,... That are true (TRUE) when an option is not selected and false (FALSE) when an option is selected. Define. Then, based on the preset information given from the input device, a preset logical expression Ep is created by combining these logical variables by logical sum and logical product. Based on the prohibited combination information given from the input device, a manual forbidden logical expression Em is created by combining these logical variables by logical sum and logical product. Then, using the logical variables Xp and Xp￣, the preset logical expression Ep and the manual forbidden logical expression Em are combined into one to create a logical expression 52 represented by the forbidden logical expression E.

  When the logical expression 52 is created in this way, the numerical value string creating unit 51 performs a process of rearranging the logical expression 52 into the reverse Polish notation as shown in FIG. As a result of this processing, the reverse Polish notation logic in which the parentheses “()” in the logical expression 52 are removed and the logical variables and logical symbols are rearranged in the order of calculation as shown in FIG. Equation 53 is obtained.

  Next, the numerical sequence creating unit 51 converts the logical expression 53 of the reverse Polish notation into a numerical sequence 55 shown in FIG. 5D with reference to the conversion table 54 shown in FIG. This conversion table 54 is read out and used in advance stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory. Alternatively, the numerical value string creation unit 51 may create each time according to the number of setting item options.

  The conversion table 54 shown in FIG. 5C is a table showing the correspondence between logical variables / logical symbols and their conversion destination numerical values. In the conversion table 54, “TRUE (true)” is set to “1” and “FALSE (false)” is set to “−1”, and the logical product (、) is “2” and logical sum ( Ii) is set to be converted to "-2". As for the logical variables, the logical variables “X1, X2, X3, X4,...” Are converted to “3, 4, 5, 6,...”, Respectively, and the logical variables “X1￣, X2￣, X3￣, X4” are converted. “￣,...” Are set to be converted into “−3, −4, −5, −6,. “0” is used for termination (NULL). Note that the conversion of “TRUE” and “FALSE” is not used for the conversion from the logical expression 53 to the numerical sequence 55, and therefore the numerical sequence 55 does not include “1” and “−1”.

  In this way, the numerical sequence creation unit 51 refers to the conversion table 54 and converts the logical expression 53 of the reverse Polish notation shown in FIG. 3B to the numerical sequence 55 shown in FIG. In the numerical value sequence 55, “0” indicating the end position of the numerical value sequence 55 is arranged at the final end position. When the computer 11 calculates the numerical value sequence 55, the left end position in the figure in the numerical value sequence 55 becomes the calculation start position, and the calculation proceeds while shifting the numerical values to be referred to one by one sequentially from the calculation start position. It will be. Then, when “0” for termination is referred to, calculation of all numerical values is completed. The end “0” is arranged at the end of the numerical sequence 55 so that the calculation end position can be recognized.

  As described above, the data in the numerical sequence 55 is written in the CD-ROM 41 together with the printer driver program, and is installed in the user's computer 11 together with the printer driver program from the CD-ROM 41. Is stored in the storage unit 31 shown in FIG. The computer 11 has a numerical string 55 as software setting data, and is used when the UI control device 30 controls the UI 26. When the user instructs execution of printing from the application unit 23 and the printer driver 25 receives a print command, the UI control device 30 displays the UI 26 on the screen of the display device 19, and the user operates the input device 20 on the UI 26. The prohibition control is performed to prohibit the selection of the combination that should be prohibited when the option is selected in.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a UI control processing program (prohibition control processing program) executed by the CPU 12 when an input is obtained from the input device 20 that triggers the UI control processing start on the UI 26. In the present embodiment, an input serving as a trigger for starting UI control processing is different between the normal setting mode and the preset setting mode. In the normal setting mode, an input from the input device 20 when a setting item option is changed or an option is selected with an unset setting item serves as a trigger for starting the UI control process. In the preset setting mode, the input device 20 when the OK button 29 is operated with the choices of the main setting items “color mode”, “media”, and “print quality” selected on the preset setting screen 26B. The input serves as a trigger for starting the UI control process.

  The storage unit 31 is provided with a predetermined storage area for managing on / off of the preset setting mode. When the preset button 28 is operated on the normal setting screen 26A and the preset setting screen 26B is displayed, the preset setting mode is turned on. In addition, when the preset button 28 is not operated and the normal setting screen 26A is displayed, or when the cancel button (not shown) is operated on the preset setting screen 26B and the normal setting screen 26A is restored, the preset button 28 Setting mode turns off. When the preset setting mode is on, “1” is set to the flag of the predetermined storage area, and when the preset setting mode is off, the flag is reset to “0”. The logical variable Xp takes a state value “1” when the preset setting mode management flag is “1”, and takes a state value “−1” when the flag is “0”. The UI control processing is performed by the UI control device 30 configured by the CPU 12 that executes the UI control processing program.

  Hereinafter, the UI control process will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing pre-processing before the start of calculation in the work memory 43, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a calculation method of a numerical expression including a logical variable, and FIG. In the following description, the main setting items “color mode” “media” “print quality” are displayed on the preset setting screen 26B displayed on the screen of the display device 19 by operating the preset button 28 on the normal setting screen 26A. A case is assumed where the OK button 29 is operated in a state where the above option is selected. The input when the OK button 29 is operated is given from the input device 20 to the data load unit 32 of the UI control device 30 shown in FIG. The UI control process is triggered by this input.

  First, in step S10, a working memory area is prepared. In this embodiment, a working memory area is secured in the RAM 14, and the memory area is used as the working memory 43 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). If the number of options is 125 or less, 1 byte is secured for each numerical value, and if the number of options exceeds 125, 2 bytes are secured for each numerical value. The number of options includes options for turning on / off the preset setting mode.

  In step S 20, the numerical value sequence 55 is copied to the work memory 43. That is, the numerical value sequence 55 is read from the storage unit 31 and stored in the work memory 43 as shown in FIG. When the number of choices is 125 or less, one numerical value is stored in 1 byte secured first, and when the number of choices exceeds 125, one numerical value is stored in 2 bytes secured previously.

  In step S30, a table indicating the setting state (selected state) is generated. Logical variables X 1, X 2, X 3,... Are assigned to all options, and each of the logical variables X 1, X 2, X 3,... Is selected from the setting state (selected state) of the options selected on the UI 26. For the choices in the setting items for which choices have been selected, it can be seen whether they are selected or not. “1” (TRUE) for the numerical value (Index) corresponding to the logical variable of the selected option, and “−1” for the numerical value (Index) corresponding to the logical variable of the unselected (non-selected) option. (FALSE) is set, and the table 44 shown in FIG. 7B is created. In the example in the figure, the numerical values assigned to the logical variables corresponding to the choices of the main setting items “color mode”, “media”, and “print quality” and the on / off choices of the preset setting mode are as follows. A state value corresponding to the selected state is set. The table 44 in FIG. 7B shows an example in which “color”, “plain paper”, and “text” are selected from the three setting items on the preset setting screen 26B (in the case of “preset number 2” in FIG. 3). It is. In this example, “1” is set as the state value for the numerical values (Index) “5” “8”..., “127” corresponding to the logical variables X3, X8,. Is “−1” for the numerical values (Index) “4”, “6”, “7”,... Corresponding to the logical variables X2, X4, X5,. Is set as At this time, the numerical value corresponding to the option of the setting item to be preset is not replaced. Therefore, “9” and “10” are set as they are to the numerical values “9” and “10” assigned to the logical variables X7 and X8 corresponding to the setting item options to be preset from now on. The state values of the logical variables X1Ｘ, X2￣, X3￣,..., XpＸ can be obtained by multiplying the state values of X1, X2, X3,. In the table 44, the numerical values (Index) “0”, “1”, and “2” are not used because they are not numerical values representing options.

  Here, in the normal setting mode, the UI control process is started every time a setting item option is selected, so the state value is not determined to be “1” (TRUE) or “−1” (FALSE). There is an undetermined logical variable. “1” (TRUE) for the numerical value (Index) corresponding to the logical variable of the selected option, and “−1” for the numerical value (Index) corresponding to the logical variable of the unselected (non-selected) option. (FALSE) is set as each status value. At this time, no replacement is performed for the numerical value corresponding to the option of the setting item for which prohibition determination is to be performed. Thus, the procedure for creating the table 44 is basically the same as in the preset setting mode.

  In step S40, the numerical value assigned to the logical variable is replaced with the state value of the logical variable acquired from the table 44. That is, the numerical value (Index) “3, 4, 5,...” To which the logical variable is assigned in the numerical value sequence 55 shown in FIG. 1 ”) and converted into a numeric string 56 as shown in FIG.

  In step S50, the replaced numeric string 56 is calculated by stack operation. FIG. 8 shows a calculation procedure performed in the stack operation. By calculating the numerical sequence 56 by this stack operation, prohibition information is extracted. Hereinafter, a calculation method by stack operation will be described.

  The replaced numerical value string 56 is referred to one by one in the right direction from the left end position in the figure in the work memory 43, and the work memory 43 itself is used as a stack to perform a numerical value by performing a stack operation. The calculation of column 56 is performed.

  FIG. 8A shows a process from immediately after the numerical value replacement until the calculation is performed with reference to the first numerical value. Here, in order to use the working memory 43 as a stack and perform calculation by stack operation, it is necessary to manage a numerical reference position and a stack end position. The CPU 12 secures a predetermined storage area on the memory and manages the stack end position. Further, another predetermined storage area is secured on the memory, and a reference position 45 (address) for referring to the numerical values in the numerical value string 56 on the working memory 43 one by one is managed here.

  The reference position 45 uses the left end position in FIG. 8 in the work memory 43 as a reference start position, and moves to the right one by one each time a numerical value is referenced. On the other hand, the stack end 46 sets the left end position of FIG. Stack operations are performed according to the following rules: When the numerical value (reference numerical value) of the reference position 45 is “1” (TRUE) or “−1” (FALSE) which is the state value of the logical variable, the reference numerical value is set to the position of the stack end 46 of the work memory 43. To push. When a numerical value is pushed, the stack end 46 is moved to the right by one. When the numerical value (reference numerical value) at the reference position 45 is “2” (logical product) or “−2” (logical sum), which is a numerical value representing a logical symbol, two from the stack area in the work memory 43. Pop the numerical value and return the stack end 46 to the left by the number (two) of the popped numerical values. The stack operation performed according to such rules and the position management of the reference position 45 and the stack end 46 are performed by the CPU 12 based on the UI control program. For convenience, the addresses of the storage area (one portion in FIG. 8) in the working memory 43 in FIG. 8 are the first address, second address, third address,... I will call it.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first numerical value that is the first reference position 45 is referred to. Since the reference numerical value is “1” (TRUE), the reference numerical value is pushed to the first address which is the position of the stack end 46 on the working memory 43. Pushing moves the stack end 46 one step to the right. When the reference and push of the first numerical value are finished in this way, as shown in FIG. 8B, both the reference position 45 and the stack end 46 indicate the second address where the second numerical value is located.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the second numerical value at the reference position 45 is referred to, the reference numerical value is “1”, so that the reference numerical value is used as the stack end 46 on the work memory 43. To the second address, which is the position of. Pushing moves the stack end 46 one step to the right. When the second numerical value is referred and pushed, the reference position 45 and the stack end 46 both indicate the third address where the third numerical value is located, although not shown.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the third numerical value at the reference position 45 is referred to, the reference numerical value is “2” (logical product), so 2 from the stack area of the working memory 43. One number is popped, and the stack end 46 is returned to the left by the number of pops (two). Here, since the reference numerical value “2” means the logical product (∧), the logical product of the two popped numerical values is calculated. That is, 1 (TRUE) 2 (∧) 1 (TRUE) is calculated. Then, the calculation result “1” is pushed to the position of the stack end 46. As a result of this push, the stack end 46 is shifted to the right by one and the second address is indicated as shown in FIG. The reference position 45 is in a state indicating the fourth address which is the position of the fourth numerical value. Since the stack end point 46 indicates the position where the numerical value is to be pushed next, the position at which the numerical value is popped is a position to the left of the stack end point 46.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, when the fourth numerical value at the reference position 45 is referred to, the reference numerical value is “−1” (FALSE). Is pushed to the second address which is the position of the stack end 46. In this case, the pushed value is overwritten. This push moves the stack end 46 one step to the right. When the fourth numerical value is referred and pushed, the reference position 45 indicates the fifth address which is the fifth numerical value position, and the stack end 46 is set to the third numerical value. A state indicating the third address which is the position of the numerical value is entered. Thereafter, the stack operation is repeated in the same procedure until the terminal value “0” is referred to.

  However, since the numerical value of the logical variable is included, when calculating the logical product or logical sum, the numerical value of the logical variable may be included in at least one of the set of numerical values to be calculated. Calculation of an expression including at least one of the values of the logical variable can be efficiently and accurately performed according to the calculation rule shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the calculation rule when the numerical value of the logical variable is included will be described with reference to FIG. Six calculation rules shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F are incorporated in the program in advance. All of these operation rules are logically derived from the operation rule of logical product or logical sum.

  In the figure, the numerical values of the logical variables to be operated are represented by A and B, and the logical variables of these numerical values A and B are Xn and Xm, respectively. In each of the arithmetic expressions shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F, the logical variables, logical symbols, and state values corresponding to the numerical values are shown in parentheses after the numerical values.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A21” shown in FIG. 9A means the logical product (∧) of the logical variable Xn and the state value “1”, that is, “Xn∧1”. In the case of Xn∧1, since the calculation result is “1” when Xn is “1” and the calculation result is “−1” when Xn is “−1”, Xn 、 1 = Xn. . Therefore, in the case of “A21”, “A” is pushed to the stack end position.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A2-1” shown in FIG. 9B means the logical product (∧) of the logical variable Xn and the state value “−1”, that is, “Xn∧−1”. . In the case of Xn∧−1, regardless of whether Xn takes a value of “1” or “−1”, the calculation result is “−1”, so Xn∧−1 = −1. Therefore, in the case of “A2-1”, “−1” is pushed to the stack end position.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A-21” shown in FIG. 9C means the logical sum (∨) of the logical variable Xn and the state value “1”, that is, “Xn∨1”. In the case of Xn∨1, regardless of whether Xn takes a value of “1” or “−1”, the calculation result is “1”, so Xn∨1 = 1. Therefore, in the case of “A-21”, “1” is pushed to the stack end position.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A-2-1” shown in FIG. 9D is a logical sum (∨) of the logical variable Xn and the state value “−1”, that is, “Xn∨−1”. means. In the case of Xn∨-1, since the calculation result is “1” when Xn is “1” and the calculation result is “−1” when Xn is “−1”, Xn 、 −1 = Xn become. Therefore, in the case of “A-2-1”, “A” is pushed to the stack end position.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A2B” shown in FIG. 9E means the logical product (∧) of the logical variable Xn and the logical variable Xm, that is, “Xn∧Xm”. In the case of Xn∧Xm, since the state values of both Xn and Xm are undetermined, it is not known which value is “1” or “−1”. However, two options within the same setting item cannot be selected at the same time. Therefore, in the case of a logical product of an impossible combination that simultaneously selects two options in the same setting item, Xn∧Xm is excluded as FALSE (“−1”). Therefore, in the case of “A2B”, if A and B are numerical values representing two options in the same setting item, “−1” is pushed to the stack end position.

  The arithmetic expression represented by the numerical string “A-2B” shown in FIG. 9F means the logical sum (∨) of the logical variable Xn and the logical variable Xm, that is, “Xn∨Xm”. In the case of Xn∨Xm, since the state values of both Xn and Xm are undetermined, it is not known which value is “1” or “−1”. Therefore, in the case of “A2B”, if A and B are numerical values representing two options in different setting items, “A” and “B” are pushed to the stack end position. When two numerical values are pushed, the position of the stack end 46 moves to the right by two. Note that the same rule is applied to negative cases such as Xn￣ and XmＸ. Also, numerical values that the CPU 12 refers to in the UI control process are stored in the memory so that contradictory logical expressions do not appear in the numerical sequence calculation results. For example, the options in the same setting item in the logical expression are configured to perform an operation with a condition that cannot be set at the same time, so that multiple negative numerical values (negative logical variables) are avoided. It has become.

  In this way, in the case of an operation based on a combination including at least one of the numerical values assigned to the logical variables, the calculation is performed according to the above rules. When the terminal numerical value “0” is referred to, the calculation of the numerical value string 56 is completed. At the stage where the end value “0” is referred to, the stack end 46 is moved to the right by one from the position where the last calculation result performed at the time of referring to the previous value is pushed. For example, when the calculation is completed, it is convenient that the final read position when the calculation result is read from the start position of the working memory 43 can be specified by the position of the stack end 46. Bring one back to the left. Therefore, a numerical sequence (including one numerical value) stored in the memory area from the start position of the working memory 43 to the stack end position is acquired as the calculation result of the forbidden logical expression E.

  FIG. 10 shows the working memory 43 when the calculation is completed. When the end value “0” is referred to, the numerical sequence stored in the memory area from the start position to the stack end position in the working memory 43 is the calculation result. The CPU 12 reads a numerical value from the top position of the work memory 43 to the stack end position and obtains a calculation result. In the example shown in the figure, “−10-11-13-16... −25” is obtained as the calculation result. When this numerical sequence is converted into a logical expression, the forbidden logical expression E becomes E = X8￣∨X9￣∨X11￣X14￣∨... X23￣. This means that at least one of the logical variables X8, X9, X11, X14,. That is, it means that all of the logical variables X8, X9, X11, X14,... X23 need to be selected. Therefore, preset information is obtained that all of the options corresponding to the logical variables X8, X9, X11, X14,... X23 need to be selected.

Thus, the calculation by the stack operation of the numerical value sequence in step S50 shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and when the calculation result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S60.
In step S60 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the preset setting mode is set. This is determined by looking at the on / off management flag in the preset setting mode. If the flag is “1”, the preset setting mode is set. If the flag is “0”, the preset setting mode is not set, that is, the normal setting mode is set. If it is the preset setting mode, the process proceeds to step S70, and if it is not the preset setting mode, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S70, preset setting is performed according to the calculation result. In other words, in the example of FIG. 10, the forbidden logical expression E = X8￣∨X9￣∨X11￣X14￣∨ ... ￣X23￣ is obtained from the obtained calculation result “−10-11-13-16. It is done. Therefore, preset information is obtained that all of the options corresponding to the logical variables X8, X9, X11, X14,... X23 need to be selected. Then, the setting items on the detailed setting screen 26C are set in a state where all of these options are selected. In this case, even if another option is selected, the option based on the preset information is forcibly set.

  On the other hand, in step S80, the option is invalidated according to the calculation result. For example, it is assumed that a forbidden logical expression E = AB (A and B are numerical values) is obtained. In this case, when the numerical value A is a positive numerical value, the option corresponding to the numerical value A is invalidated (grayed out) so that it cannot be selected. When the numerical value A is a negative numerical value, all the options other than the option corresponding to the numerical value A in the corresponding setting item are invalidated (grayed out). In this case, only options corresponding to the numerical value A can be set. The same applies to the other numerical value B, and a predetermined option determined according to the sign of the value is invalidated (grayed out).

  As described above, in the normal setting mode and the preset setting mode, the UI control processing can be performed using the common prohibition logical expression E. Steps S10 to S50 correspond to calculation steps, and steps S60 to S80 correspond to processing steps.

  For example, in the preset setting screen 26B shown in FIG. 11A, “Color”, “Plain paper”, and “Text” are selected as options in three setting items “Color mode”, “Media”, and “Print quality”, respectively, and an OK button is clicked. 29 is operated. Then, the CPU 12 executes the UI control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 using the input of the operation of the OK button 29 as a trigger, and when the calculation result is obtained in step S50, according to the preset information acquired from the calculation result. As shown in FIG. 11B, the options of the setting items 1 to 4 on the detailed setting screen 26C are automatically set.

  Further, it is assumed that the user selects “A4” in the setting item “paper size” in the state where the setting items “color mode” and “media” are not set on the normal setting screen 26A shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 12 having obtained the input when selecting “A4” from the input device 20 starts the UI control process with the input as a trigger. When the calculation result is obtained in step S50, according to the prohibition information acquired from the calculation result, as shown in FIG. 12B, the setting item “color mode” in which the option is not set on the normal setting screen 26A For example, “monochrome” is invalidated and, for example, “OHP sheet” is invalidated in the setting item “media”.

  Here, the setting items have priority, and the setting value is set for the setting items with the same or higher priority, but the setting value with the lower priority is set without setting the state value. Then, the table 44 is created. The example of FIG. 12 is an example in which, for example, the setting item “color mode” has a lower priority than the setting item “paper size”. Cannot be replaced. Therefore, the numerical value sequence obtained as the result of the numerical value sequence includes the numerical value corresponding to the option in the setting item “color mode”, and the setting item “color” that has already been in the selected state is “color”. “Monochrome” is disabled in “Mode”. In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, parentheses are added to invalidated options.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A first sub-logical expression (Xa1∧... Xan) (n = 3 in this example) in which logical variables assigned to respective choices of main setting items are combined by AND and other setting items 1 , 2, 3... The second sub-logical expression (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨... Xbn￣) (in this example, n is 4 or more) in which the negation of the logical variables assigned to the options of Combined by logical conjunction. Then, the logical expression (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) ∧ (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ∨Xbn 特定) specifying this one preset data is set as one logical expression unit, and the logical expression unit specifying each preset data is Preset formulas were constructed by combining with logical sum. Therefore, when one main setting item combination is selected as selection information on the preset setting screen 26B and the OK button 29 is operated, the first sub corresponding to the selected combination of the main setting item options is selected. The logical expression becomes (Xa1∧... Xan) = 1, and the first sub logical expression corresponding to a combination of other options becomes (Xa1∧... Xan) = − 1. In this way, the first sub logical expression functions as a switch, and the second logical expression indicating the combination of options to be set in the setting items on the detailed setting screen 26C is E = (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨). ... (Xbn∨). Therefore, there is no need to change the program for extracting preset data when a setting item is added or deleted.

  (2) Using a logical variable Xp representing an on / off option of the preset setting mode, a preset logical expression Ep (first logical expression) and a manual forbidden logical expression Em (second logical expression) are expressed as E = (Ep∧ Xp) ∨ (Em∧Xp￣) and combined into one logical expression. Therefore, since the calculation is performed using a common logical expression in the preset setting mode and the normal setting mode, the calculation programs used in the preset setting mode and the normal setting mode can be shared. For this reason, the software used for UI control processing can be simplified.

  (3) A configuration is adopted in which a numerical sequence 55 obtained by converting a logical expression into a numerical value is stored in the storage unit 31, and the numerical sequence 55 is calculated to obtain preset information or prohibition information. Therefore, the CPU 12 does not have to perform complicated processing such as logical expression analysis processing, and the UI control processing (UI control program) performed by the CPU 12 can be simplified. For example, a response speed delay that reflects the processing result on the UI 26 can be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, the amount of data necessary to calculate the logical expression of the prohibition condition is also a numerical value sequence, and the UI control can be performed with a relatively simple process.

(4) Since the operation of the numerical value sequence 56 is performed by using the working memory 43 as a stack and performing a stack operation, the memory capacity necessary for the operation can be reduced.
(5) Since the numerical value sequence 55 is obtained by rearranging logical expressions in reverse Polish notation and converted into numerical values, the numerical value sequence 56 can be calculated by stack calculation by referring to the numerical values in order from the top. it can. For this reason, the calculation of the numerical value string 56 can be completed by a relatively simple calculation process.

  (6) In calculating two numerical values including at least one logical variable, the predetermined rule described with reference to FIG. 9 is provided, so that although the calculation includes logical variables, a relatively smooth and accurate calculation result is obtained. be able to.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented with the following configuration.
(Modification 1) In the embodiment described above, the preset data is assigned according to the combination of options (selection information) selected in the main setting items. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, preset numbers as shown in FIG. 3 are associated with main setting items. For example, when a preset number is selected, a combination of specific options (for example, “color”, “plain paper”, and “text”) of main setting items associated with the preset number is determined, and this specific option is selected. The information (state value) is applied to the logical expression. Then, preset data corresponding to the selected preset number is assigned from the calculation result of the logical expression. Further, the preset number may be selected on the preset setting screen in the preset mode. In this case, a logical variable corresponding to each preset number is also incorporated in the logical expression, and a conditional expression that associates the preset number with a combination of options of all setting items is included. When a preset number is selected, the numerical value of the logical variable corresponding to the preset number in the logical expression is replaced with the state value “1”, and the numerical sequence after application of the state value is calculated, thereby corresponding to the preset number. Get preset data. For example, if the logical variables of the preset number are Xp1,..., Xpn (n is a natural number), for example, the preset number “2” is taken as an example, Xp2∧ (X1￣∨X3￣∨X6￣∨X8￣∨X9￣∨X12) ￣∨X14￣∨ ...) is one logical formula unit, and the logical formula unit for each preset number expressed in the same format is combined with a logical sum to construct a logical formula.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the forbidden condition is a logical expression, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a logical expression expressing a condition for permitting the setting. The formula unit is in the form of (Xa∧Xb∧Xc) ∨ (Xd∧Xe∧Xf∧Xg∨...) A logical expression may be constructed. In this case, if the calculation result is E = (Xd∧Xe∧Xf∧Xg∨ ...), options d, e, f, g, ... are set. Xd, Xe, Xf, Xg,... Are logical variables corresponding to the options d, e, f, g,.

  (Modification 3) In the above-described embodiment, a logical expression in which a first logical expression expressing a prohibition condition specifying preset data and a second logical expression expressing a prohibition condition specifying prohibition data is used is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first logical expression and the second logical expression are stored in separate storage means, and the first logical expression is read in the preset setting mode according to the setting mode at that time, and the second logical expression is read in the normal setting mode. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for reading an expression.

  (Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the selection information used as a clue when assigning the preset data is information for selecting three main setting items. However, the number of setting items to be selected for selection information is as follows. The number is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more. In addition, the number of setting items that are specified from the selection information and whose options are automatically set can be arbitrarily set. For example, it may be one.

  (Modification 5) In the above-described embodiment, the method of starting the UI control process every time an option is selected in the normal setting mode and invalidating the selection-prohibited option to a gray-out state is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the OK button 27 is operated in a state where all the setting item options are selected (including the default selection state), the UI control processing is started by using the operation as a trigger, and the calculation result of the numerical sequence 56 is E = −1. In such a case, the setting is confirmed and notified to the printing unit 38. On the other hand, if the calculation result is E = 1, a message indicating that the setting is impossible is displayed on the display device 19.

  (Modification 6) It is not limited to the format of the table 44 in the said embodiment. For example, in order to speed up the state value replacement process, a method of preparing two tables for a positive numerical value and a negative numerical value, a method of referring to an Index with a two's complement, or the like can be employed.

  (Modification 7) In the above-described embodiment, a logical expression representing a prohibition condition is used. However, a logical expression representing a condition permitted in the opposite of the prohibition may be adopted. In this case, by selecting an option that should be validated to a selectable state based on the calculation result of the numerical sequence, the other options are invalidated. It is preferable to select the prohibition condition or permission condition, and it is preferable to select the one that requires a simple logical expression. If the selection permission condition is less than the selection prohibition condition, the permission condition logical expression is adopted. It is preferable to do.

  (Modification 8) In the above-described embodiment, the numerical value stack calculation is configured such that the memory area in which the numerical value reference on the work memory is finished is used as the stack area by performing the stack operation on the work memory. However, it is not limited to this. A configuration can be employed in which a memory area dedicated to the stack is separately secured, and the numerical value read from the working memory is pushed to the memory area dedicated to the stack, or the numerical value is popped from the memory area dedicated to the stack. According to this configuration, it is necessary to secure a separate memory area for stacking, and the processing for increasing the number of reading / writing of numerical data is performed. It can be similarly avoided that calculation is involved.

  (Modification 9) In the above embodiment, a logical expression is created by using all the options prepared on the UI 26 as logical variables. However, a logical expression expressing only a part of the options as logical variables is used to calculate a numerical sequence. It can also be set as the structure which performs. For example, regardless of which selection information is selected, the setting items for which the same option is set are known without needing to be calculated and specified. Therefore, the setting items whose options are known in advance may be excluded from the logical expression. .

  (Modification 10) In the embodiment, the UI control process including the operation of the numerical sequence expressing the logical expression is realized by software that causes the CPU to execute the program. However, at least a part of the UI control process is performed by hardware. It can also be realized. For example, a logical expression indicating a prohibition condition and a circuit for an arithmetic program thereof may be formed in a customer IC such as an ASIC, and UI control processing may be performed by calculation on hardware. If the UI control processing is performed by an electronic device other than a personal computer, for example, an electronic device such as a printer or a multifunction machine, it is possible to have a numerical sequence arithmetic circuit including a logical expression (numerical sequence) as an electronic circuit.

  (Modification 11) Although the user interface control method and the control apparatus are realized in a computer such as a personal computer, the present invention can also be applied to electronic devices such as a printer and a multifunction machine as described above. In this case, a configuration in which a CPU built in the electronic device executes a UI control program may be employed. The present invention can also be applied to electronic devices other than printers and multifunction peripherals, and can be applied to projectors, digital cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phones, and the like.

The technical idea grasped from the embodiment and the modifications will be described below.
(1) In the user interface control method according to claim 13, in the calculation step, a stack end position is managed, and a push position and a pop position to the stack area are specified based on the stack end position. User interface control method.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system. (A)-(c) The table figure explaining a preset table. (A)-(e) The flowchart explaining the process performed in advance by the maker side computer. (A)-(d) The flowchart explaining the process performed in advance by the maker side computer. The flowchart which shows UI control processing. (A)-(c) Explanatory drawing which shows the pre-process before the calculation start in a working memory. (A)-(d) Explanatory drawing explaining the calculation procedure in a working memory. (A)-(f) Explanatory drawing explaining the calculation method of the numerical formula containing a logical variable. The figure which shows the working memory after completion of calculation. (A) Preset setting screen and (b) Detailed setting screen. (A) (b) Explanatory drawing explaining UI control processing in a normal setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing system, 11 ... Computer, 12 ... CPU which comprises mode switching means and processing means, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... HDD, 16 ... Video circuit, 19 ... Display apparatus as display means, 20 ... Input device as input means, 21 ... printer, 23 ... application unit, 24 ... video driver, 25 ... printer driver, 30 ... UI control device, 31 ... storage unit as storage means, 32 ... data load unit, 33 ... table Creation unit 34... Calculation unit as calculation unit 35. UI control unit as processing unit 38 38 Printing unit 43 Work memory 44 Table Table 45 Reference position 46 Stack end 52 Logic Formula, 55 ... numeric string, 56 ... numeric string.

Claims (18)

A user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
Storing in the storage means a logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable for a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options to be set in the plurality of setting items,
When selection information corresponding to the preset data is input from the input means, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression and An operation step for obtaining setting information by performing an operation on the logical expression after application,
And a processing step of setting the setting item with a combination of options determined from the setting information acquired in the calculating step. The user interface control method according to claim 1,
In the logical expression, logical variables X1,..., Xn (n is an integer of 2 or more) are set to all options of all setting items, which are true when the option is selected and false when not selected. The logical variables X1,..., Xn are defined as the negation of the logical variables X1,..., Xn, and become true when no option is selected and false when selected. A user interface control method characterized by being a logical expression expressing a condition for specifying the preset data by defining and combining the logical variables by logical sum / logical product. The user interface control method according to claim 2,
The plurality of setting items include a setting item for preset selection in which an option is selected as the selection information, and a true / false of a logical variable corresponding to the option selected as the selection information is a corresponding logical variable in the logical expression. Is divided into setting items that are the preset data main body part from which the options are specified based on the calculation result of the logical expression applied to, and the logical variables corresponding to the options of the setting items for selecting the preset are combined by logical product. 1 sub logical expression (Xa1∧... Xan) (n is a natural number) is combined with the negative logical sum of the logical variables corresponding to each option of the setting item which is the preset data body portion, and the second sub logic Formula (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ￣∨Xbn￣) (n is a natural number) and represents one preset data (Xa1∧ ... ∧Xan) ∨ (Xb1￣∨Xb2￣∨ ... ￣∨ Bn) as a logical expression units, user interface control method in which a plurality of logical expressions units representing each preset data is characterized by being composed the logical expression by being combined in a logical OR. The user interface control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The user interface includes a preset setting mode in which the selection information is input and the setting item options are automatically set, and a normal setting mode in which the setting item options are selected and set based on input from the input unit. Controlled to be switchable,
When the setting item option is selected in the normal setting mode, the option to be invalidated is specified in order to invalidate other setting item options that should not be combined with the option. A user interface control method characterized in that a logical expression obtained by combining a second logical expression expressing a condition to be performed and a first logical expression that is the preset logical expression by a logical sum is stored in the storage means. . A user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
The user interface is controlled to be switchable to a plurality of setting modes,
When the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode are included, and mode information indicating that one of the setting modes is selected, the first logic is applied. A logic in which one logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid and another logical expression corresponding to the other non-selected setting mode becomes invalid among the expression and the second logical expression. Store formula data in storage means,
An operation step of acquiring setting information by inputting the input information related to the setting from the input means and applying the input information and the mode information to the logical expression and performing an operation on the logical expression;
A user interface control method comprising: a processing step of performing a predetermined process according to the selected setting mode based on the setting information acquired in the calculation step. A user interface control method for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that an option can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
The user interface can be switched to a plurality of setting modes,
A first logical expression capable of acquiring preset information for determining a combination of options to be set for each setting item based on first input information input when the user interface is in the first setting mode; And a second logical expression capable of acquiring prohibition information that can determine whether the option for each setting item is valid or invalid based on second input information that is input when in the second setting mode, and the first setting mode and By applying mode information indicating that one of the second setting modes is selected, one of the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes effective. Data of a logical expression that performs a logical operation in which the other corresponding to the setting mode that is not selected becomes invalid is stored in the storage means,
When the first input information is input, presetting is performed by applying the mode information indicating that the first setting mode is selected and the first input information to the logical expression and calculating the logical expression. When the information is acquired and the second input information is input, the mode information indicating that the second setting mode is selected and the second input information are applied to the logical expression to calculate the logical expression. A calculation step for obtaining prohibition information by performing
A user interface control method comprising: a processing step of performing a predetermined process according to a selected setting mode based on the setting information or the prohibition information acquired in the calculation step. In the user interface control method according to claim 5 or 6,
The logical expression is expressed by combining logical variables corresponding to each of the options and the mode information with logical operators. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein
The logical expressions are logical variables X1,..., Xn (n is an integer of 2 or more) that is true when selected and false when not selected, and negation of the logical variables X1,. A logical expression that defines logical variables X1￣,..., Xn￣ that are true when not selected and become false when selected, and that logical variables are combined by logical sum and logical product. The user interface control method characterized by the above-mentioned. The user interface control method according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
The logical expression is expressed as ((first logical expression) ∧Xp) ∨ ((second logical expression) ∧Xp￣), where Xp is a logical variable related to the setting mode, and Xp is selected by the setting mode. Is a logical variable that becomes true when it is selected and is false when it is not selected, and Xp￣ is a logical variable that becomes true when the setting mode is not selected and becomes false when it is selected. The user interface control method characterized by the above-mentioned. The user interface control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:
The method of controlling a user interface, wherein the logical expression comprises a numerical sequence in which the logical variables and logical operators are converted into numerical values. The user interface control method according to claim 10,
Application of information to the logical expression in the calculation step is characterized in that a state value of a logical variable corresponding to the information is replaced with a corresponding numerical value in the numerical sequence. In the user interface control method according to any one of claims 10 and 11,
The numerical value sequence is a numerical value sequence in which numerical values are arranged in the order in which the logical expressions are rearranged in reverse Polish notation. The user interface control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
In the calculation step, the numerical value sequence is calculated by stack calculation. The user interface control method according to claim 13, wherein
In the calculation step, the numerical values of the numerical sequence are sequentially referred to on a working memory that stores the numerical sequence at the time of calculation, and the memory area after the reference of the numerical value is used as a stack area, and the reference numerical value is a logical variable If the reference numerical value corresponds to the logical operator, the reference numerical value is pushed to the stack area, and if the reference numerical value corresponds to a logical operator, a plurality of numerical values are popped from the stack area to the plurality of numerical values. A method for controlling a user interface, comprising: performing an operation defined by a logical operator and performing a stack operation of pushing a result of the operation to the stack area, thereby performing an operation on the numeric string. A user interface control device for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that a choice can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
Storage means for storing a logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable, a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options to be set in the plurality of setting items;
When selection information corresponding to the preset data is input from the input means, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression and An arithmetic means for calculating the logical expression after application to obtain setting information;
A user interface control device comprising: processing means for setting the setting item by a combination of options determined from the setting information acquired by the calculation means. A user interface control device for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that a choice can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
Mode switching means for switching the setting mode of the user interface based also on the input from the input means;
When the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode are included, and mode information indicating that one of the setting modes is selected, the first logic is applied. A logic in which one logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid and another logical expression corresponding to the other non-selected setting mode becomes invalid among the expression and the second logical expression. Storage means for storing formula data;
When the input information related to the setting is input from the input means, the calculating means for obtaining the setting information by applying the input information and the mode information to the logical formula and performing the calculation of the logical formula;
A user interface control device comprising: processing means for performing a predetermined process according to a selected setting mode based on the setting information acquired in the calculating step. A program for controlling a user interface for a computer to execute a process for controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit based on an input from the input unit so that options can be input for each of a plurality of setting items,
Storing in the storage means a logical expression expressing each option of the setting item as a logical variable for a condition necessary for specifying preset data indicating a combination of options to be set in the plurality of setting items,
When the computer receives selection information corresponding to the preset data from the input means, information on which a specific option determined from the selection information is selected is applied to the logical variable corresponding to the option in the logical expression. And an operation step for obtaining setting information by performing an operation on the logical expression after the application,
A program for executing a processing step of setting the setting item with a combination of options determined from the setting information acquired in the calculation step. A user interface control program in which a computer executes a process of controlling a user interface displayed on a display unit so that choices can be input for each of a plurality of setting items based on an input from the input unit,
The user interface is controlled to be switchable to a plurality of setting modes,
When the first logical expression and the second logical expression corresponding to each setting mode are included, and mode information indicating that one of the setting modes is selected, the first logic is applied. A logic in which one logical expression corresponding to the selected setting mode becomes valid and another logical expression corresponding to the other non-selected setting mode becomes invalid among the expression and the second logical expression. Formula data is stored in the storage means,
When the computer inputs the input information related to the setting from the input means, a calculation step of obtaining the setting information by applying the input information and the mode information to the logical formula and performing the calculation of the logical formula;
A program for executing a processing step for performing a predetermined process according to a setting mode being selected based on the setting information acquired in the calculation step.

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