JP3714011B2 - Printing information setting apparatus and method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data from an input device according to the contents of the screen region while displaying a screen region for data input on a display device. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data generated by the computer is to be printed on the printer, it is necessary to incorporate a device driver for the printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) into the computer. The printer driver is a computer program that controls various printer information such as printer functions, interfaces, font information, and control codes in the computer and controls the printer, and is prepared for each printer model to be printed.
[0003]
The user can set various information by operating the computer and activating a printer driver incorporated in the computer. The setting is performed as follows. When the printer driver is activated, the computer displays a data input screen area on a display (display device). This screen area is provided with data input fields for the above-mentioned various information, and the user operates the mouse and keyboard to set various information by inputting data into these data input fields. Can be done. A configuration in which an image representing the contents of various set information with a picture is displayed in such a screen area has been proposed.
[0004]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen area for data input by a conventional printer driver. As shown in the figure, in the screen area A0, an area A1 for setting a printing purpose such as word processor and spreadsheet, an area A2 for setting a paper size, and an area A3 showing a three-dimensional picture of the printer are shown. Is provided. The picture of the printer visually informs the user of the paper direction and paper size set from the areas A1 and A2. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when “A4 210 × 297 mm” is selected in the paper size column A2, the pictorial image of the printer in the area A3 is a paper set in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 18, when “A4 horizontal 297 × 210 mm” is selected in the paper size column A2, the pictorial diagram of the printer in the area A3 is a paper set in the horizontal direction. The display using such a pictorial chart allows the user to know at a glance what the set information actually is.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional technique, when new data is input from the paper size column A4, the picture displayed in the area A3 is switched instantaneously, so that the user can select which part of the picture. I couldn't know if it was changed. For this reason, despite the fact that a picture can be displayed, the contents of newly set information are not easily transmitted to the user, and the usability at the time of data input cannot be improved.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to improve the usability at the time of data input by allowing the user to immediately inform the user of what the setting information is when data is input by the user. .
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve such a problem, the apparatus of the present invention
A display device and an input device are provided, and data is input to the display device With columns While displaying the screen area ,Previous Input device Entered from the data entry field using In a print information setting device that sets various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data,
A picture display field is provided in the screen area, Image data representing at least a part of predetermined information in the various information as a picture, In the picture display column Display control means to display
With
The display control means includes
About the part of information according to the input data Strange More is there A display correction unit that corrects the image data so that a portion corresponding to the changed content is displayed in a different manner from the other portions in the picture represented by the image data. Features
[0008]
Here, the printing apparatus may have a configuration having a printing function, and may be a single apparatus such as a printer, or a printing mechanism built in a specific apparatus (for example, a facsimile apparatus). It may be.
[0009]
According to the print information setting device having the above configuration, at least a part of the various information set using the input device is displayed on the display device with a pictorial diagram. If there is a change in the setting according to the input data, the part corresponding to the changed content in the picture is displayed in a different manner compared to the other parts.
[0010]
For this reason, the user can immediately know what kind of change has been made to the setting contents based on the input data from the input device from the part that has become a different mode. Therefore, this print information setting device is easy to use when inputting data.
[0011]
In the print information setting apparatus, the display control unit may include a correction cancellation unit that returns the image data corrected by the display correction unit to image data before correction after a predetermined period.
[0012]
According to this configuration, after the predetermined period has elapsed, the image data is restored to the pre-correction image data, so that all information can be read equally without being constrained by the change information shown in a different manner.
[0013]
In the print control apparatus, the display correction unit includes an annotation text display control unit that displays an annotation text related to the partial information on the display device for a predetermined period of time together with the correction of the image data. it can.
[0014]
According to this configuration, since the annotation text related to the information whose setting has been changed is displayed on the display device, the user can obtain more information regarding the information whose setting has been changed. As a result, the print information setting apparatus is more convenient for data input.
[0015]
In the print information setting apparatus, the partial information may be information indicating a position of a print area on a print sheet. When displaying a picture, the position of the print area tends to be relatively difficult to see due to the outline of the printing paper, but according to this configuration, when the information indicating the position of the print area is changed, the picture You can easily know that information.
[0016]
In the print information setting apparatus, the display in the different form by the display correction unit may be displayed in an emphasized manner. According to this configuration, it can be surely known that a change has been made.
[0017]
The method of this invention
Data input to the display device With columns While displaying the screen area , Enter Force device Entered from the data entry field using In a print information setting method for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data,
(A) A picture display field is provided in the screen area, Image data representing at least a part of predetermined information in the various information as a picture, In the pictorial display column Process to display
With
The step (a)
(A1) About the part of information according to the input data Strange More is there And a step of correcting the image data so that a portion corresponding to the changed content in the picture represented by the image data is displayed in a different manner as compared with other portions. Yes.
[0018]
Also with the method of this configuration, it is possible to improve the usability at the time of data input as in the case of the apparatus of the present invention.
[0019]
The recording medium of the present invention is
Data input to the display device With columns While displaying the screen area , Enter Force device Entered from the data entry field using A computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing apparatus based on input data,
A picture display field is provided in the screen area, Image data representing at least a part of predetermined information in the various information as a picture, In the pictorial display column Display Display control function
Is realized on a computer,
Said Display control function In
Previous Some of the information according to the input data Strange More is there A display correction function for correcting the image data so that a portion corresponding to the changed content is displayed in a different manner from the other portions in the picture represented by the image data
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program for making a computer implement | achieve is characterized.
[0020]
Even with the recording medium having this configuration, it is possible to improve the usability at the time of data input as in the apparatus and method of the present invention.
[0021]
In the above recording medium,
Said Display control function In Display correction function The image data corrected by the above is restored to the image data before correction after a predetermined period. Cancel correction The computer program for causing the computer to realize the function can be recorded.
[0022]
In the recording medium,
Said Display control function In Previous Along with the correction of the recording image data, an annotation text related to the part of information is displayed on the display device for a predetermined period. Annotation text display control The computer program for causing the computer to realize the function can be recorded.
[0023]
Other aspects of the invention
The present invention includes other aspects as follows. The aspect is an aspect as a program supply apparatus that supplies a computer program that causes a computer to realize the functions of the respective steps or means of the invention described above via a communication path. In such an aspect, the above method and apparatus can be realized by placing the program on a server on a network, etc., downloading a necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a computer 10 and a CRT display 12 and a printer 14 as peripheral devices. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18 as an input device, and a mouse 20. The computer main body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of the computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer main body 16 includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, a keyboard interface 35, an FDC 36, an HDC 37, and a CRTC 38, which are connected to each other by a bus around a CPU 30 as a central processing unit. A printer interface 39 and an I / O port 40.
[0026]
The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that stores various built-in programs and the like. The RAM 32 is a readable / writable memory for storing various data. The display image memory 33 is a memory that stores image data of an image to be displayed on the CRT display 12. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that manages data exchange with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is an interface that manages key input from the keyboard 18. The FDC 36 is a floppy disk controller that controls the floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. The HDC 37 is a hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41. The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls signal output to the CRT display 12 that displays necessary data and the like. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls the output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 includes a serial output port, and is connected to a modem 44, and is connected to a public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and can be connected to a specific server 48.
[0027]
In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41, and when the computer main body 16 is turned on according to the loader written in the boot block of the HDD 41, it is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32. A printer driver prepared for each model of the printer 14 is stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and is installed in the computer main body 16 from the floppy disk drive 24 by starting a predetermined installation program. The installed printer driver is stored in the HDD 41, and is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32 together with the operating system when the computer main body 16 is turned on.
[0028]
Various constituent requirements of the present invention are realized by the CPU 30 executing the printer driver. As described above, the printer driver software program is stored in the floppy disk 22, but instead of this, other portable recording media such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card. It is good also as a structure stored in (portable recording medium). The software program described above can also be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring it to the RAM 32 or HDD 41. .
[0029]
Next, how printing is performed by the computer system having the hardware configuration described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52 while processing the image by the application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. When the application program 51 issues a print instruction, the printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives the image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal that can be printed by the printer 14.
[0030]
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 53 includes a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and image information (floor level) converted into color information in dot units. A color correction module 55 that performs color correction on the tone data) according to the color development characteristics of the printer 14, so-called expressing density in a certain area depending on the presence or absence of ink in dot units from image information after color correction. A halftone module 56 for generating halftone image information is provided. In addition, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided inside the printer driver 53. Various information for printing includes information related to basic settings such as print resolution and color correction, and information related to paper settings such as paper size and paper orientation. The color correction information set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55. The information setting module 57 displays an image indicating the setting contents on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52.
[0031]
In addition, in the information setting module 57, a display control unit that generates image data that represents predetermined information (described later) in the above-described various types of information with a picture, and sends the image data to the video driver 52. 57a is provided. The display control unit 57a is provided with an emphasis correction unit 57b for emphasizing and correcting a part of the image data. The operation of each module excluding the information setting module 57 is well known, so that the description thereof will be omitted in principle, and the information setting module 57 will be described below.
[0032]
The printer driver 53 can control various printing by the printer 14 by changing the setting, but the user needs to perform such setting in advance. The information setting module 57 executes such an operation for setting various information for printing. Here, what operation the user performs by the operation of the information setting module 57 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) will be described as an example of an operating system on which the printer driver 53 operates. The description will be made assuming that the name of the printer 14 is “XXX PR100”.
[0033]
First, the user operates the computer 10 as follows to open a dialog box for setting various information for printing. That is, a “printer” window is opened by performing an operation of [start] → [setting] → [printer]. Then, double-click the icon of the desired printer on the window, here “XXX PR100” to open the window for that printer. Thereafter, [printer] → [property] is operated from the window to display a dialog box for setting various information about the printer.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view exemplifying a dialog box DB in which the “paper setting” card CD is opened. As shown in the figure, the “paper setting” card CD has data input fields E1, E2, E3, E4 for setting “paper size”, “number of copies”, “printing direction”, and “printable area”, respectively. And a picture display field E5 showing these setting contents as a three-dimensional picture of the printer 14.
[0035]
The “paper size” data entry field E1 is used to set the paper size to be used together with the type of paper. For example, “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “A4 width 210 × 297 mm”, “Western envelope 120 × 235”, “Postcard 100 × 147 mm” or the like is prepared as an option.
[0036]
The “number of copies” data entry field E2 is used to set the number of copies to be printed. In addition to the number of copies, whether the printing order is to be printed or not is printed in the normal or reverse order. Can also be specified by clicking the checkbox. The “printing direction” data input field E3 indicates the printing direction on the paper, and “vertical” and “horizontal” can be selected.
[0037]
The “printable area” data entry field E4 is used to set a printable area on the paper, and one of “standard”, “maximum”, and “centering” can be selected. “Standard” defines a printable area (referred to as a standard area) so that a large margin is left at the lower end of the paper P. “Maximum” is defined as a printable area so as to be the maximum area by adding an extended area to the lower end side of the standard area. “Centering” is defined as a printable area such that margins are equally spaced in four directions, top, bottom, left, and right of the paper P. Note that the expansion area is determined by a change in the relationship of the paper feed mechanism of the printer 14 to the paper, and this expansion area is an area where the image recording accuracy is lower than that of the standard area.
[0038]
As described above, the picture display column E5 is an area in which a picture showing the appearance of the printer 14 in a three-dimensional manner is displayed. This picture shows the contents of various data input from the “paper setting” card CD. It is. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the picture display field E5 in an enlarged manner. As shown in the figure, the picture displayed in the picture display column E5 includes an image part m1 representing the printer body, an image part m2 representing the sheet before conveyance, an image part m3 representing the sheet after conveyance, and an image part m2. An image part m4 made of a large arrow located between and m3, an image part m5 made of the letter “A” located inside the image part m3, and a rectangular part located inside the image part m3. It is composed of an image part m6 composed of a broken line.
[0039]
The image part m1 has a predetermined shape determined by the printer model. The image parts m2 and m3 indicate the type of paper (aspect ratio) and the orientation in which it is set, and have a shape corresponding to the content input from the “paper size” data input field E1. The image part m4 indicates a paper conveyance path at the time of printing. The paper feeding method of the printer 14 (which may be changed by a printer driver, here is a predetermined paper feeding method) )). The image part m5 indicates the printing direction on the paper by the direction of the letter “A”, and has a shape corresponding to the content input from the data input field E3 of “printing direction”. The image part m6 indicates a printable area on the paper, and has a shape corresponding to the content input from the data input field E4 of “printable area”.
[0040]
That is, the pictures displayed in the picture display field E5 are the data input fields E1, “paper size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” of various data input from the “paper setting” card CD. It is created according to the contents of E3 and E4. Accordingly, the picture displayed in the picture display field E5 is changed whenever the setting contents of the data input fields E1, E3, E4 are changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the data input field E4 of “printable area” is set to “standard”, the pictorial chart in the pictorial display field E5 displays the standard area in the paper after conveyance by the image part m6. It is the one drawn by. On the other hand, when the “printable area” data input field E4 is set to “maximum”, as shown in FIG. 6, the picture in the picture display field E5 includes the standard area and the standard area in the sheet after conveyance. The maximum area combined with the expansion area is drawn by the image part m6.
[0041]
The display of the picture in the picture display field E5 is performed while the CPU 30 processes a routine related to paper setting in the information setting module 57 of the printer driver 53. This sheet setting routine will be described next.
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the paper setting routine. This routine is started when the “paper setting” card CD is selected in the dialog box DB. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU 30 first executes a card display process for displaying image data indicating the “paper setting” card CD on the CRT display 12 (step S100). Thereafter, in response to a data input operation using the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20 by the user viewing the display screen of the CRT display 12, various data are input (step S200), and the input various data are stored in the RAM 32. (Step S300).
[0043]
For example, in step S 100, the image data of the “paper setting” card CD illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the CRT display 12. The user looks at the image data displayed on the CRT display 12 and, for example, clicks a predetermined button in the data input field E4 of “printable area” and inputs data of “maximum”. In step S200, the CPU 30 performs processing for taking in the “maximum” data. Next, in step S300, the “maximum” data is stored at the position of the data item “printable area” on the RAM 32. When the data storage operation is completed in this way, the process returns to “RETURN” and the process ends.
[0044]
Next, the card display process executed in step S100 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the card display process. As shown in the figure, the CPU 30 reads out the base image data Dcd serving as the base of the “paper setting” card CD from the RAM 32 and transfers it to the display image memory 33 (step S110). Here, the base image data Dct represents an image obtained by removing a portion determined by input data from the image of the card CD shown in FIG. 4, and this image is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, each input area in the data input fields E1, E2, E3, and E4 of “paper size”, “number of copies”, “printing direction”, and “printable area”, and a picture display field E5 The image data of the image in which “and” are blank is transferred to the display image memory 33 as display image data.
[0045]
Returning to FIG. 8, after the execution of step S110, various data d1 to d4 relating to “paper setting” input from the “paper setting” card CD until the previous processing is read from the RAM 32, and these data d1 to d4 are read. The data is transferred to a predetermined work area in the RAM 32 (step S120). Each data in the work area is stored as Wd1 to Wd4. Subsequently, the above-mentioned “paper size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” for determining predetermined data of the various data Wd1 to Wd4, here, the picture drawn in the picture display field E5, are set. Based on the three data Wd1, Wd3, and Wd4, picture image data Dpc representing the picture is created (step S130).
[0046]
More specifically, in step S130, the contents of the data Wd1, Wd3, Wd4, that is, the data Wd1 for the paper size, the data Wd3 for the printing direction, and the data Wd4 for the printable area are stored in the RAM 32 in advance. One picture image data Dpc determined from these data Wd1, Wd3, and Wd4 is extracted by comparing with the table Tbl.
[0047]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the table. As shown in the figure, one pictorial image data Dpc is prepared in advance in this table for every combination of “paper size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area”. The pictorial image data Dpc is composed of the image parts m1 to m6 as described above. The shape of the image parts m2 and m3 differs depending on the “paper size”, and the shape of the image part m5 depends on the “printing direction”. In contrast, the shape of the image part m6 differs depending on the “printable area”. The pictorial image data Dpc is created by vector data, and it is also possible to individually select each of the image parts m2, m3, m5, and m6 in the process described later. In step S130, one picture image data Dpc determined from the data Wd1, Wd3, Wd4 is extracted by comparing the contents of the data Wd1, Wd3, Wd4 with the table Tbl.
[0048]
Returning to FIG. 8, after executing step S <b> 130, the CPU 30 stores the data d <b> 1 to d <b> 4 obtained in step S <b> 120 and the picture image data Dpc extracted in step S <b> 130 of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33. Each is added to a predetermined area (step S140). As a result, the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 is displayed in the data input fields E1 to E4 of “paper size”, “number of copies”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” in FIG. Characters or marks based on various data d1 to d4 are drawn, and further, an image on which a picture based on the picture image data Dpc is drawn is shown in the picture display column E5.
[0049]
Thereafter, the display of the image on the CRT display 12 is controlled by the CRTC 38 based on the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 (step S150). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, characters or marks are displayed in the data input fields E1, E2, E3, and E4 of “paper size”, “number of copies”, “printing direction”, and “printable area”, and a picture display field. An image of the “paper setting” card CD, in which pictures representing the contents of the data input fields E1, E3, E4 are filled in E5, is displayed on the CRT display 12. After execution of step S150, the process returns to “RETURN” and the process is temporarily terminated.
[0050]
Next, the data input process executed in step S200 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the data input process. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU 30 performs a process of reading input data according to the operation of the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20 (step S210). Next, it is determined whether or not the input data indicates that the “OK” button BT on the “paper setting” card Cd5 is clicked (step S220). If it is determined that the “OK” button BT has been clicked, the CPU 30 advances the process to “return” and once ends this data input process.
[0051]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S220 that the “OK” button BT has not been clicked, the process proceeds to step S230. In step S230, the CPU 30 performs a process of updating the data Wd1 to Wd4 stored in the predetermined work area of the RAM 32 according to the input data read in step S210. Specifically, the data Wd1 to Wd4 whose input data and item match are selected, and the selected data Wdx (x is an arbitrary number from 1 to 4) is rewritten with the value of the input data. Perform processing. For example, when the input data is input from the “printable area” data input field E4, the data Wd4 for the “printable area” is selected, and the data Wd4 is rewritten with the value of the input data.
[0052]
Subsequently, as in step S130, the CPU 30 represents a pictorial diagram representing a pictorial diagram based on the three data Wd1, Wd3, and Wd4 of “paper size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” in the data Wd1 to Wd4. Image data Dpc is created (step S240). Subsequently, as in step S140, the CPU 30 stores the data d1 to d4 obtained in step S210 and the picture image data Dpc created in step S240 in a predetermined area of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33. (Step S250). As a result, the display image data indicating the “paper setting” card CD stored in the display image memory 33 is updated to the contents reflecting the input data read in step S210.
[0053]
Thereafter, the CPU 30 stores data of image parts (any one of m2, m3, m5, and m6) corresponding to the data Wdx changed in step S230 from the display image data stored in the display image memory 33. Is selected, and the process of changing the data of the image part for highlighting is performed (step S260). Here, as the change for highlighting, the data of the image part is changed to data indicating a predetermined color (a color such as red or yellow that is conspicuous on the screen of the CRT display 12). Is. Instead of converting the color, the line segment may be changed to data indicated by a bold line, or the line segment may be changed to blinking data.
[0054]
Next, as in step S150, the CPU 30 performs processing for displaying an image based on the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 on the CRT display 12 by the CRTC 38 (step S270).
[0055]
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view exemplifying how the picture displayed in the picture display column E5 is changed by this paper setting routine. In FIG. 12, (a) shows a picture in the picture display column E5 at the time when the card display process in step S100 is completed. From this state, when the data is displayed on the CRT display 12 in step S270 of the data input process, as shown in FIG. 5B, a predetermined image part (in the example shown, an image part m6 indicating a printable area). ) Will be highlighted. In FIG. 12B, the printable area is displayed as a bold line as an emphasis display, but this is shown in this way due to the limitation of the representation in the drawing. It is displayed in red on the display 12.
[0056]
Returning to FIG. 11, after executing step S <b> 270, the CPU 30 executes a delay process for holding the display on the CRT display 12 for a predetermined time, here, for 5 seconds.
(Step S280). Thereafter, the CPU 30 performs processing for returning the image part changed for highlighting in step S260 to the state before the change (step S290). Subsequently, the CPU 30 performs display on the CRT display 12 as in step S270 (step S295). As a result, the picture displayed as shown in FIG. 12B is returned to the picture before change (the same picture as FIG. 12A) as shown in FIG. 12C. That is, the rectangular part m6 indicating the “printable area” is indicated by the same broken line as before the emphasis change.
[0057]
In FIG. 11, when the process of step S295 is completed, the process returns to step S210, and the processes after step S210 are repeatedly executed. Although not shown in this flowchart, if there is a new input from the “paper setting” card CD during the execution of the delay process in step S280, immediately without waiting for the delay time to elapse, The process proceeds to step S210.
[0058]
Up to this point, an example has been given of how the design of the picture display field E5 changes when the data input field E4 of the “printable area” is changed to “maximum”. In addition to the “printable area” data input field E4, if the “paper size” and “printing direction” data input fields E1 and E3 are changed, the pattern in the picture display field E5 changes. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a picture displayed in the picture display field E5 when the “printing direction” data input field E3 is changed to “horizontal”. When the “printing direction” data input field E3 is changed to “horizontal”, the letter “A” as the image part m5 changes in the horizontal direction with respect to the paper, but only for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the letter “A” is highlighted in red (indicated by hatching in the figure). Similarly, when the data input field E1 of “print size (paper setting direction)” is changed, the paper portion of the pattern is emphasized for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). Omitted.
[0059]
Next, the data storage process executed in step S300 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the data storage process. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU 30 overwrites various data Wd1 to Wd4 stored in a predetermined work area on the RAM 32 with data d1 to d4 stored at a predetermined position on the RAM 32. (Step S310). Next, the data d1 to d4 are saved in the HDD 41 (step S320). Thereafter, the CPU 30 advances the process to “return” and once ends the data storage process. As a result, the paper setting routine ends.
[0060]
As described in detail above, according to the first embodiment, various information about paper is set from the “paper setting” card CD displayed on the CRT display 12. Three types of information of “size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” are displayed in the form of a picture in the picture display column E5. In addition, when data is newly input for any one of the three types, the picture in the picture display column E5 is changed so as to correspond to the input content. At this time, the changed part is 5 Highlighted in red for seconds.
[0061]
For this reason, the user can immediately know the content of the newly input data from the highlighted portion. Therefore, the first embodiment has an effect that it is excellent in usability at the time of data input.
[0062]
In the first embodiment, after 5 seconds, the image data of the pattern before being highlighted is restored. For this reason, after the pattern is returned, all the information can be read equally without being constrained only by the emphasized portion of the pattern.
[0063]
Next explained is the second embodiment of the invention. The computer system of the second embodiment has the same hardware configuration as that of the computer system of the first embodiment. The difference is that “a sheet setting routine” program executed by the CPU 30 is “ Only the “data input processing” part. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a data input process executed by the CPU 30.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 15, when the process is started, the CPU 30 executes the same processes of steps S210 to S260 as in the first embodiment. By the processing up to step S260, the display input when data is input to each of the data input fields E1, E3, and E4 of “paper size”, “printing direction”, and “printable area” In the image memory 33, the data of the image part (any one of m2, m3, m5, and m6) corresponding to the changed data Wdx is changed for highlighting.
[0065]
After execution of step S260, the CPU 30 performs processing for adding the image data Dbx of the dialog box in which the annotation text relating to the changed data Wdx is written to the display image memory 33 (step S260). Thereafter, the CPU 30 performs display on the CRT display 12 as in the first embodiment (step S270). FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of the image displayed on the CRT display 12 in step S270. As shown in the figure, in the picture display field E5, as in the first embodiment, the image part m6 indicating the printable area is highlighted, and a dialog box BX is displayed below the picture display field E5. ing. As described above, this dialog box BX is a description of an annotation related to the changed data Wdx. In this example, since the data that has been changed is one that sets the “printable area” to “maximum”, an annotation related to setting the “printable area” to “maximum” is displayed in the dialog box BX. It is written. Specifically, as described above, the print area expanded by setting “maximum” has a lower image recording accuracy than the standard area. "It extends to the bottom edge of the paper 3mm, but the quality is degraded at the bottom edge of 3mm".
[0066]
Next, the CPU 30 performs the same delay process as in the first embodiment (step S280), and then returns the image part changed for highlighting to the state before the change (step S290), as in the first embodiment. Subsequently, the CPU 30 performs processing for deleting the image data Dbx of the annotation sentence added in step S265 from the display image memory 33 (step S293). Thereafter, a process of displaying the contents of the display image memory 33 on the CRT display 12 is performed (step S295). As a result, the picture displayed as shown in FIG. 16 is returned before the change shown in the picture display column E5 in FIG. In other words, the pictorial picture in the pictorial picture display column E5 returns the rectangular part m6 indicating the “printable area” to the one indicated by the same broken line as before the emphasis change, and the dialog box BX is deleted.
[0067]
After execution of step S295, as in the first embodiment, the CPU 30 returns the process to step S210 and repeatedly executes this process.
[0068]
In the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to immediately know from the emphasized portion what the newly input data is, so that it is easy to use at the time of data input. Are better. In addition, in the second embodiment, since the dialogue box BX of the annotation sentence related to the newly input data is displayed on the screen together with the highlighting, the user reads the annotation sentence. As a result, more information about the input data can be obtained. Therefore, the second embodiment is more convenient for data input.
[0069]
In the above-described embodiment, immediately after the setting of information such as the printable area is changed, the part of the picture shown by the information is highlighted. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the changed portion is emphasized by intentionally reducing the drawing speed. Moreover, it does not necessarily need to be highlighted, and it may be a mode different from other parts such as displaying in a weak tone.
[0070]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited at all to such an Example, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can implement in various aspects. . In the above-described embodiment, the printer 14 is applied to a computer system directly connected to the local computer 10 via a cable. Instead, a computer that shares a printer connected to a server on a LAN among a plurality of computers. It is good also as a structure applied to a system. Alternatively, a printer connected to a server connected via the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet. In the above-described embodiment, the printer 14 is applied to a computer system connected to the computer 10. However, the printer 14 may be applied to a facsimile apparatus having a built-in printing mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by a computer main body 16 until printing is performed.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog box DB in which a “paper setting” card CD is opened;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged picture display field E5.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged picture display field E5 when the printable area is set to “maximum”.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet setting routine executed by a CPU.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing card display processing executed in the paper setting routine.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog box DB displayed with base image data Dct.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a table for determining a picture drawn in the picture display field E5.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing data input processing executed in a paper setting routine.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view exemplifying how the picture displayed in the picture display field E5 is changed by the paper setting routine.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a picture display field E5 immediately after the “printing direction” data input field E3 is changed to “horizontal”.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing data storage processing executed in a paper setting routine.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing data input processing executed by a CPU 30 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of an image displayed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen area for data input by a conventional printer driver.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram when the contents of the dialog box are changed.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Computer
12 ... CRT display
14 ... Printer
16 ... computer body
18 ... Keyboard
20 ... Mouse
22 ... Floppy disc
24 ... Floppy disk drive
31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Mouse interface
35 ... Keyboard interface
36 ... FDC
37 ... HDC
38 ... CRTC
39 ... Printer interface
40 ... I / O port
41 ... HDD
44 ... Modem
46 ... Public telephone line
48 ... Server
51. Application program
52 ... Video driver
53 ... Printer driver
54 ... Rasterizer
55. Color correction module
56 ... Halftone module
57 ... Information setting module
58 ... Cleaning command issuing module
61 ... Print head
63 ... Tank unit
65. Ink supply tube
67 ... Ink cartridge
68 ... Platen
69 ... Piezo element drive circuit
71 ... Cap member
73 ... Capping device
75 ... Tube
77 ... Motor
79 ... Suction pump
79a ... Suction port
79b ... Discharge port
81 ... Tube
83 ... Waste ink tank
87 ... Motor drive circuit
90 ... Electronic control unit
91 ... CPU
92 ... ROM
93 ... RAM
94 ... Timer
95 ... I / O interface
96 ... Serial port
97 ... Control panel
97a ... Ink end lamp
98 ... Ink low switch
99 ... Ink end switch

Claims (10)

And an input device and a display device while displaying a screen area comprising a data entry field on the display device, based on the input data inputted from the data input field with the entering force system, predetermined printing device In the print information setting device for setting various information for printing in
A display control means for providing a picture display column in the screen area, and displaying image data representing at least a part of predetermined information in the various information as a picture in the picture display column ;
The display control means includes
When there is a change of the portion of information in accordance with the input data, so that the changed corresponding portion of the contents among the pictorial represented by the image data is displayed in a different manner than other portions The printing information setting apparatus further comprises display correction means for correcting the image data. The print information setting device according to claim 1,
The display control means includes
A print information setting apparatus comprising: a correction canceling unit that returns the image data corrected by the display correction unit to image data before correction after a predetermined period. The print information setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display correction means includes
A print information setting apparatus comprising: an annotation text display control unit configured to display an annotation text related to the partial information on the display device for a predetermined period of time together with the correction of the image data.   4. The print information setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partial information is information indicating a position of a print area on a print sheet.   The print information setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display in the different form by the display correction unit is displayed in an emphasized manner. While displaying a screen area comprising a data entry field on the display device, based on the input data input from said data input box with input device, for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device printing In the information setting method,
(A) providing a picture display column in the screen area, and displaying image data representing at least a part of predetermined information in the various information as a picture in the picture display column ;
The step (a)
(A1) when said has changed for the portion of information in accordance with input data, displaying the changed the corresponding parts of the contents among the pictorial represented by the image data in a different manner than other portions As described above, a printing information setting method comprising a step of correcting the image data. While displaying a screen area comprising a data entry field on the display device, based on the input data input from said data input box with input device, for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device A computer-readable recording medium recording the computer program of
A picture display column is provided in the screen area, and the computer realizes a display control function for displaying, in the picture display column , image data representing at least a part of predetermined information of the various information as a picture. With
In the display control function ,
When according to the entering force data has changed for the part of the information, the changed corresponding portion of the contents among the pictorial represented by the image data is displayed in a different manner than other portions As described above, a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to realize the display correction function for correcting the image data. The recording medium according to claim 7,
In the display control function ,
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to realize a correction cancellation function for returning image data corrected by the display correction function to image data before correction after a lapse of a predetermined period. The recording medium according to claim 7 or 8,
In the display control function ,
With correction of the previous SL image data, computer-readable recording medium a computer program for realizing the reminder text display control function on a computer to display a predetermined period annotations statements relating to the part of the information on the display device . The recording medium according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the display in a different mode by the display correction function is highlighted.

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