JP4109965B2 - Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that controls the operation of a printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Control of a printing apparatus (printer) is generally performed by software called a printer driver incorporated in a computer connected to the printer. The printer driver converts the character / image data received from the application or the OS into a command string that can be interpreted by the printer, and transfers the command string to the printer.
[0003]
When performing color printing with an inkjet printer, the printer driver needs to switch various parameters such as the printing method, resolution, and color processing table so that the optimum print result can be obtained according to the type of recording medium to be printed. There is. For this reason, a group of parameters depending on the recording medium is incorporated in the printer driver, and according to the type of the recording medium selected by the user, an appropriate parameter is selected and printing is performed (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-10170
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since these parameter groups have a considerably large storage size, it is not realistic to incorporate the parameter groups for all types of recording media that are supposed to be used into the printer driver package. Therefore, in practice, the recording medium type is incorporated into the printer driver only for the frequently used recording medium type. However, depending on the user, the recording medium type to be used may not be included in the printer driver. Conversely, some users include parameters of unnecessary recording medium types that are not used, which may be a waste of the storage device for the user.
[0006]
Also, when supporting multiple printers with a single printer driver, even if the parameter group storage size for each printer is reduced, the size of the entire printer driver package will increase as the number of printers supported increases. Resulting in.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of optimizing the storage size of a parameter group relating to printing stored for each type of recording medium used for printing in accordance with a user's usage mode, a control method thereof, and The purpose is to provide a program.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, for example, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention performs printing based on a database describing a group of parameters related to printing corresponding to the type of recording medium that can be used by the printing apparatus, and based on an instruction from the user. select the type of recording medium to be used, obtained by referring to the database, based on the group of parameters corresponding to the type of the selected recording medium, generates print data to be transferred to the printing device the A printer driver independent of the database, an acquisition unit for acquiring a parameter group relating to printing corresponding to the type of the recording medium from the outside, and a parameter group satisfying a predetermined condition among the parameter groups acquired by the acquisition unit A display means for displaying the name of the selected parameter group, and the name displayed by the display means. And wherein the parameters corresponding to the specified name to have an additional means to add to the database.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the embodiment. Reference numeral 200 denotes a printing apparatus (printer), and reference numeral 100 denotes a computer that functions as an information processing apparatus for the printer 200, both of which are communicably connected. Print data is generated in the computer 100, and the generated print data is transferred to the printer 200 for printing.
[0011]
The computer 100 is also communicably connected to a network server 400 via a network 300 as shown.
[0012]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the computer 100.
[0013]
As shown in the figure, the computer 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls the entire computer, a ROM 102 that stores a boot program, a RAM 103 that functions as a main memory, and the following configuration. Reference numeral 104 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD) as a storage device, 105 denotes a memory (VRAM) for developing image data to be displayed, 106 denotes a CRT for displaying image data and the like developed on the VRAM 105, and 107 and 108 denote various types. A keyboard and mouse for setting. Reference numerals 109 and 110 denote interfaces (I / F) for connecting to the printer 200 and the network 300, respectively. Reference numeral 111 denotes a CD-ROM drive that reads information recorded on the CD-ROM 111a.
[0014]
As shown in the figure, the HDD 104 includes an operating system (OS) 1, an application (program) 2 for creating image data to be printed, a printer driver (program) 17, a type of recording medium (hereinafter simply “ Media database (DB) 15 in which a group of parameters relating to printing and the corresponding printing is described, a media DB API (Application Programming Interface) 16 that mediates between the printer driver 17 and the media DB 15, and in the media DB 15 A DB management tool (program) 14 is installed as an editing means for editing the registered contents.
[0015]
The printer driver 17 selects a medium to be used for printing based on an instruction from the user, and print to be transferred to the printer 200 based on a parameter group corresponding to the medium obtained by referring to the media DB 15. It functions as print data generation means for generating data. The printer driver 17 and the media DB 15 are independent configurations, and both are mediated by the media DB API 16.
[0016]
The OS 1, the application 2, the printer driver 17, the media DB API 16, and the DB management tool 14 are loaded into the RAM 103 and executed by the CPU 101 automatically or in response to a user instruction after the computer 100 is turned on.
[0017]
Next, a structural example of the media DB 15 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the media DB 15.
[0019]
In the figure, 21 is a header storing the signature, date, version, etc. of the media DB 15. Reference numeral 22 denotes a media list which is media list information supported by the media DB. An example of the structure of this list will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0020]
The printer driver 17 can acquire the media list information and provide the user with media selection options. For example, the printer driver 17 displays each medium described in the media list on the medium selection screen, and the user can select a desired medium therefrom.
23 to 25 are media blocks each including a group of parameters related to printing depending on the media described in the media list 22. An example of the structure of the media block will be described later with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, 23 is a media block storing “plain paper” information, 24 is a media block storing “coated paper” information, and 25 is a media block storing “glossy paper” information. Reference numeral 26 denotes an end terminal indicating the end of the media DB.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of a media block.
[0022]
In the figure, 31 is a media ID which is media ID information. 32 to 47 are parameter groups related to printing using the medium of the medium ID 31, and form a tree structure as shown in the figure. Specifically, reference numeral 32 denotes information about a paper feed port that can feed the media, for example, as a paper feed method. Reference numeral 33 denotes, as a paper discharge method, information on a paper discharge port that can discharge the medium, for example.
[0023]
34 to 36 are parameters of print quality corresponding to this medium. In the example shown in the figure, this medium indicates that three types of print quality of print quality A, print quality B, and print quality C can be selected. Yes. Reference numerals 37, 40, and 42 denote data resolution information used for print quality A, B, and C, respectively.
[0024]
Reference numerals 38 and 39 are information relating to halftone processing used in the print quality A. Here, in print quality A, it is shown that two types of halftone processing methods of halftone processing A and halftone processing B can be selected. Similarly, reference numerals 41 and 43 are information on halftone processing methods used for the corresponding print quality.
[0025]
A color processing table 44 is used when the print quality A is specified and the halftone processing A is designated. Some of the tables are used in color processing such as a three-dimensional LUT (Look Up Table) for converting from the color space RGB of the computer 100 to the color space CMY of the printer 200, density adjustment, and brightness adjustment. Various tables are included. The same applies to 45, 46, and 47. When print quality A and halftone processing B are selected, when print quality B and halftone processing A are selected, print quality C and halftone processing A are selected. It is a color processing table in the case of being performed.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of the media list.
[0027]
In the figure, 51 is a language code indicating in which language the character string 53 of the media name is described, 52 is a code of the model number of the media, 53 is a character string of the media name, and 54 is the media Is a unique media ID. These 51 to 54 constitute an information set for one medium. This set is described for each medium in the media list. Reference numeral 55 denotes an end terminal indicating the end of the media list.
[0028]
As described above, the printer driver 17 can display each medium described in the media list on the media selection screen. When the user selects a certain medium from this screen, the media block is searched based on the media ID corresponding to the medium, and the media block that matches the media ID 31 in FIG. 3 is selected.
[0029]
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the cooperative relationship between the software according to the present embodiment. The outline of the print control process in the embodiment will be described with reference to this figure.
[0030]
(1) First, for example, an application 2 is used to create an image (including a document; the same applies hereinafter) to be printed. The application 2 determines whether or not the user has instructed printing of the created image based on, for example, input from the keyboard 107 or the mouse 108.
[0031]
(2) When the execution of printing is instructed, the printer driver 17 is activated, and a graphical user interface (GUI) for print setting is displayed on the CRT 106, so that the user can set print conditions according to the instruction. The printer driver 17 uses the media DB API 16 to acquire information on media that can be supported from the media list 22 in the media DB 15 and provides the above-mentioned media selection screen in the GUI. The user can select a desired medium from here.
[0032]
(3) The printer driver 17 refers to the media DB 15 via the media DB API 16 and extracts a parameter group relating to printing corresponding to the media selected via the media selection screen, and based on the extracted parameter group, Print data of the image created by the application 2 is generated and transferred to the printer 200.
[0033]
(4) Further, as described above, the DB management tool 14 can edit (add, delete, change, etc.) the registered contents of the media DB 15. Here, when adding new media information to the media DB 15, for example, information recorded in the CD-ROM 13 can be taken in and added based on the information.
[0034]
Hereinafter, the process of taking in the media information recorded on the CD-ROM 13 and adding it to the media DB 15 will be described in detail.
[0035]
In the CD-ROM 13 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of media blocks indicated by 11 and a media list 12 for these media blocks are recorded in the above-described structure. The DB management tool 14 can read the contents from the CD-ROM 13 set in the CD-ROM drive 111 and add a media block desired by the user to the media DB 15. This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0036]
For example, it is assumed that the media DB 15 immediately after installation includes only three types of media blocks “plain paper”, “coated paper”, and “glossy paper” as shown in FIG. When the user wants to use “OHP film” as a new medium, the DB management tool 14 is activated to obtain a list of the media list 12 included in the CD-ROM 13 (step S1).
[0037]
Among the media acquired from the media list 12, the DB management tool 14 selects only the media whose language code 51 (see FIG. 4) matches the language code of the currently operating system (OS). The media model number 52 and the name 53 are displayed on the CRT 106 (step S2). It is assumed that “OHP film” is included in the selected media.
[0038]
The user can designate “OHP film” from the displayed media as an additional medium using the keyboard 107 or the mouse 108. The DB management tool 14 instructs addition to the media DB 15 based on the input from the keyboard 107 or the mouse 108 (step S3). Then, the DB management tool 14 acquires a media block corresponding to the “OHP film” from the CD-ROM 13 (step S4). Then, this media block is added to the media DB 15. At the same time, the information of “OHP film” in the media list 12 in the CD-ROM 13 is added to the media list 22 in the media DB 15 (step S5).
[0039]
The data structure of the updated media DB 15 to which the media “OHP film” has been added by the above processing is as shown in FIG. In the figure, 27 is an updated media list in which information of “OHP film” is added to the media list 22, and 28 is a media block of “OHP film” acquired from the CD-ROM 13.
[0040]
Similarly, the DB management tool 14 can obtain a new media list of a new version from the CD-ROM and change the media list already registered in the media DB 15.
[0041]
Conversely, the DB management tool 14 can access the media DB 15 to display selectable media, and can select, for example, unnecessary media that is not used and delete it.
[0042]
In this way, the DB management tool 14 can be used to easily edit the registered contents of the media DB describing the usable media and the corresponding parameter group related to printing, so that it can be adapted to the user's usage mode. Thus, the storage size of the media DB can be optimized.
[0043]
Further, since the media DB can be a module independent of the printer driver, the storage size of the printer driver itself can be reduced, and time for downloading and installing the printer driver can be saved.
[0044]
In the above-described embodiment, the CD-ROM is used as the acquisition destination of the media block to be added. Of course, it is also possible to target a hard disk device, a memory card, or a server on a network. is there. In short, the media block can be acquired from the outside. Especially when the server is installed on the Internet, if the information on the media that is supported after the driver is shipped is stored on this server, the user can add the information on the media he / she needs at any time. It becomes possible to do.
[0045]
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, it is necessary for the user to be aware of whether or not the media DB 15 has information on the media used by the user before printing. In this embodiment, when a necessary medium is not registered in the media DB, the media information is automatically added.
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the cooperation relationship of each software according to the present embodiment, and most of the components are almost the same as those in FIG. 61 is a media block, and 62 is a media list. In this embodiment, these are held in the network server 400 (see FIG. 9). In the first embodiment, the media list 22 in the media DB 15 has only recorded information on media in which media blocks actually exist in the media DB 15. However, in the present embodiment, the media list in the media DB 65 includes In addition, media that do not actually have media blocks are also recorded. Therefore, when the printer driver 67 obtains a list of media supported by the media DB 65 from the media list via the media DB API 66, for example, even if the media block of “OHP film” does not exist in the media DB 65, “OHP The name “film” can also be acquired. In other words, “OHP film” is also displayed as a media selection option of the printer driver 67.
[0047]
In this embodiment, when an “OHP film” that is not actually supported by the media DB 65 is selected, a media block of “OHP film” can be obtained from the network server 400.
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when such a medium that is not actually supported by the media DB 65 is selected.
[0049]
First, the printer driver 67 searches through the media DB API 66 whether there is a media block corresponding to the media ID of “OHP film” in the media DB 65 (step S21). If a corresponding media block is found here (step S22, Yes), printing is executed as it is. On the other hand, if the corresponding media block is not found (step S22, No), the DB management tool 64 is activated to instruct to download the media block corresponding to the media ID of “OHP film” from the network server 400. (Step S23).
[0050]
The DB management tool 64 accesses the network server 400 and downloads a media block corresponding to the “OHP film” (step S24). At the same time, the latest media list 62 is also downloaded (step S25). Then, the DB management tool 64 adds / updates the acquired media block and media list to the media DB 65. Finally, when a print execution response is returned to the printer driver 67, printing is actually started.
[0051]
When the next printing is executed, the media block of “OHP film” already exists in the media DB 65, so printing can be performed at high speed without accessing the network server 400. In addition, since the media list in the media DB 65 is also updated, new media can be displayed as media selection options of the printer driver 67.
[0052]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to incorporate information necessary for printing media actually used without being conscious of the user.
[0053]
(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention comprises a single device even when applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.). You may apply to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).
[0054]
In the present invention, a software program (a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 5 and / or 8) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. This includes the case where the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program.
[0055]
Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the scope of the claims of the present invention includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0056]
In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.
[0057]
Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and a memory card.
[0058]
In addition, the program supply method includes a mode in which the program of the present invention is acquired by file transfer via the Internet.
[0059]
Further, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to users, and the user who clears predetermined conditions is allowed to acquire key information for decryption via the Internet, By using the key information, an encrypted program can be executed and installed in a computer.
[0060]
In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction of the program may be a part of the actual processing or All the functions are performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.
[0061]
Furthermore, after the program read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus capable of optimizing the storage size of a parameter group relating to printing stored for each type of recording medium used for printing in accordance with a user's usage mode, a control method thereof, and A program can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a cooperation relationship between software according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of a media DB.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a media block.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data structure of a media list.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for adding a media block to a media DB in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a media DB after a new media block is added.
FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a cooperation relationship between software according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a medium not supported by the media DB is selected in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer according to the embodiment.

Claims (7)

A database describing a group of parameters related to printing corresponding to the type of recording medium that can be used in the printing apparatus;
Select the type of recording medium to be used for printing based on an instruction from the user, obtained by referring to the database, based on the group of parameters corresponding to the type of the selected recording medium, transferred to the printing device A printer driver independent of the database for generating print data for
Acquisition means for acquiring a parameter group related to printing corresponding to the type of the recording medium from the outside;
Selecting a parameter group that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the parameter group acquired by the acquiring unit, and displaying the name of the selected parameter group;
Adding means for adding, to the database, a parameter corresponding to a name designated from the names displayed by the display means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: It said acquisition means, when the type of the selected storage medium is not registered in the database, according to claim 1, characterized in that to obtain the parameter group relating to printing that corresponds to the type of the recording medium from the outside Information processing device. Select a database that describes the parameter group relating to printing that corresponds to the type of the recording medium usable by the printing apparatus, the type of recording medium to be used for printing based on an instruction from the user, obtained by referring to the database A control method for an information processing apparatus that stores the database for generating print data to be transferred to the printing apparatus and an independent printer driver based on the parameter group corresponding to the type of the selected recording medium. And
An acquisition step of acquiring a parameter group related to printing corresponding to the type of the recording medium from the outside;
Selecting a parameter group satisfying a predetermined condition from the parameter group acquired by the acquisition step, and displaying the name of the selected parameter group;
An adding step of adding a parameter corresponding to a name designated from the names displayed in the display step to the database;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: It is obtained by selecting a database describing a group of parameters related to printing corresponding to the type of recording medium that can be used in the printing apparatus, and selecting the type of recording medium used for printing based on an instruction from the user and referring to the database A program executed by a computer for storing the database for generating print data to be transferred to the printing apparatus and an independent printer driver based on the parameter group corresponding to the type of the selected recording medium. And
An acquisition step of acquiring a parameter group related to printing corresponding to the type of the recording medium from the outside;
Selecting a parameter group satisfying a predetermined condition from the parameter group acquired by the acquisition step, and displaying the name of the selected parameter group;
An adding step of adding a parameter corresponding to a name designated from the names displayed in the display step to the database;
A program characterized by causing the computer to perform the. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit selects a parameter group that matches a language code of the system, and displays a name of the selected parameter group . 4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the display step selects a parameter group that matches a language code of the system and displays a name of the selected parameter group . 5. The program according to claim 4 , wherein the display step selects a parameter group that matches a language code of the system and displays the name of the selected parameter group .

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