JP6786199B2 - Print control device, control method of print control device, and printer driver program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a print control device, a control method of the print control device, and a printer driver program, and more particularly to a technique for improving operability at the time of setting conditions in the print control device.

Printing of manuscript data created by an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) is often performed by a printing device connected to the information processing device. When printing is performed by a printing device, a printer driver for sending a printing instruction to the printing device is usually installed in the information processing device. The information processing device functions as a print control device by installing a printer driver. The user can set what kind of printing is to be performed by using the operation screen (user interface (UI) of the printer driver) displayed on the information processing device.

Further, in recent years, with the increasing number of functions of printing devices, items (conditions) that can be set by the user regarding printing processing are increasing. By operating the operation screen, the user can set conditions related to functions such as paper selection, color printing, aggregate printing, and double-sided printing. When setting conditions for these functions, the user calls a setting screen for each function to be set and performs an operation of specifying desired conditions. Such an operation was complicated for the user.

Patent Document 1 described later discloses a technique for facilitating the setting of a desired function in an image forming apparatus by using a function allocation key for allocating a process related to a predetermined condition setting. The function allocation key is a software key displayed on a touch panel type display device. Frequently used conditions are registered in advance in the function allocation key. When the function allocation key is pressed and held by the user, the conditions registered in the function allocation key are set. On the other hand, when the function allocation key is touch-operated, a setting screen for setting the condition of the function assigned to the function allocation key is displayed on the display device.

Japanese Patent No. 3583066

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a condition registered in advance in the function allocation key is set by a long press operation of the function allocation key. However, when trying to set a condition different from the registered condition, it is necessary to separately call the setting screen of the function to be set and set the condition as in the conventional case. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the same operation as in the conventional case is forced unless the conditions are frequently used. Therefore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in operability when setting conditions.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is a print control device capable of setting printing conditions with good operability, and a print control device thereof. It is to provide a control method and a printer driver program.

The print control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a print control device connected to the print device. This print control device is a display control means for controlling the display of the display device, a reception means for receiving an operation on the screen displayed on the display device, and a printing device according to the operation received by the reception means. Includes setting means for setting conditions for the function to be executed. The display control means is a first display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the basic setting screen including the operation items for selecting and setting the conditions of the functions that the printing device can execute. , On the basic setting screen, in response to the reception means accepting the first operation for the operation item, the detailed setting screen for setting the detailed conditions of the function set in the operated operation item is displayed. A second display control means for controlling the display of the display device is included. The setting means includes a condition setting means for setting the condition selected by the operation of the operation item in response to the reception means accepting the second operation different from the first operation for the operation item. ..

The display control means displays the basic setting screen on the display device. The basic setting screen includes operation items for selecting and setting conditions for functions that can be executed by the printing device. On this basic setting screen, when the receiving means accepts the first operation for the operation item, the detailed setting screen for setting the detailed conditions of the function set by the operated operation item is displayed. On the other hand, on the basic setting screen, when the receiving means accepts a second operation different from the first operation for the operation item, the condition setting means sets the condition selected by the operation of the operation item.

The user can select and set the conditions of the functions that can be executed by the printing device by performing the second operation on the operation items displayed on the basic setting screen. Therefore, the conditions of the function to be set can be selected and set on the basic setting screen without separately calling the setting screen of the function to be set. Further, by performing the first operation on the operation item, the detailed setting screen is displayed on the display device. The user can set detailed conditions that cannot be set on the basic setting screen on the displayed detailed setting screen. When setting detailed conditions, the detailed setting screen can be easily displayed by operating the operation items on the basic setting screen, so that the print conditions can be set with good operability. As a result, the user can easily set the conditions of the desired function.

Preferably, the reception means includes touch operation reception means for receiving an operation on the screen by touch, which is arranged on the display device.

More preferably, the second display control means responds to the reception means accepting the first operation for the operation item on the basic setting screen, and the first operation item corresponding to the operation item and the operation. A control means for controlling the display of the display device and a display color on the detailed setting screen so as to display the detailed setting screen including the second operation item for setting the detailed conditions of the function set by the item. Includes a display color changing means for controlling the display of the display device so that the first operation item is displayed by changing the above.

More preferably, the display control means further displays the basic setting screen on the detailed setting screen in response to the reception means accepting the first operation for any of the first operation item and the second operation item. It includes a third display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display.

More preferably, the condition setting means is for setting detailed conditions according to the operation of the second operation item in response to the reception means accepting the second operation for the second operation item. The third display control means, including the detailed condition setting means, displays the display device so as to display the second operation item for setting the detailed condition set by the detailed condition setting means on the basic setting screen. Control.

More preferably, the basic setting screen and the detailed setting screen each include a tab for switching the screen display to the basic setting screen or the detailed setting screen in one window.

The control method according to the second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a print control device connected to the print device. This control method includes a display control step for controlling the display of the display device, a reception step for receiving an operation on the screen displayed on the display device, and a function executed by the printing device according to the operation received in the reception step. Includes a setting step for setting conditions. The display control step is a first display control step for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the basic setting screen including the operation items for selecting and setting the conditions of the functions that the printing device can execute. , On the basic setting screen, in response to the acceptance of the first operation for the operation item in the reception step, the detailed setting screen for setting the detailed conditions of the function set in the operated operation item is displayed. A second display control step for controlling the display of the display device is included. The setting step includes a condition setting step for setting a condition selected by the operation of the operation item in response to receiving a second operation different from the first operation for the operation item in the reception step.

The printer driver program according to the third aspect of the present invention controls the printing device and the computer connected to the display device by displaying control means for controlling the display of the display device and operating the screen displayed on the display device. It is a printer driver program that functions as a reception means for receiving and a setting means for setting conditions of a function executed by the printing device according to an operation received by the receiving means, and the display control means is a printing device. The first display control means for controlling the display of the display device and the operation on the basic setting screen so as to display the basic setting screen including the operation items for selecting and setting the conditions of the functions that can be executed by In response to the reception means accepting the first operation for the item, display the display device so as to display the detailed setting screen for setting the detailed conditions of the function set in the operated operation item. The setting means includes a second display control means for controlling, and the setting means operates the operation item in response to the reception means accepting a second operation different from the first operation for the operation item. Includes condition setting means for setting the conditions selected by.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a print control device capable of setting print conditions with good operability, a control method of the print control device, and a printer driver program.

It is a figure which shows the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program executed by the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen displayed on the information processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information processing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the following embodiments, the same parts are given the same reference numbers. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed explanations about them will not be repeated.

(First Embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a tablet-type terminal device (tablet device) having a display screen of about 10 inches. The information processing device 100 is communicably connected to the printing device 200 via a predetermined network 50, for example, compliant with IEEE802.3. A printing device 200 and an access point 60 are connected to the network 50. The access point 60 includes a wireless router that connects a device capable of wireless communication to the network 50 according to a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The connection between the information processing device 100 and the network 50 is made via the access point 60.

The printing device 200 is a multifunction device (MFP) having a plurality of operation modes such as a network-compatible print mode and a copy mode. The printing device 200 has a so-called laser type (electrophotographic method) printing function that uses laser light for exposure. However, it may have a printing function of another format. The printing device 200 forms a multicolored or monochromatic image on a predetermined recording paper based on a print job transmitted from the information processing device 100. The printing apparatus 200 further has a plurality of functions such as paper selection, color printing, aggregate printing, and double-sided printing. Integrative printing (also referred to as "N-UP printing") is a function of allocating N pages of a manuscript to one sheet of paper instead of one page of the manuscript.

A printer driver program (hereinafter, referred to as a "printer driver") for transmitting a print job to the printing device 200 is installed in the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 in which the printer driver is installed functions as a print control device that causes the print device 200 to execute a print job. The user can set the conditions of the function executed by the printing device 200 by operating the operation screen (UI screen of the printer driver) displayed on the information processing device 100. That is, the user can set what kind of printing is to be performed by operating the UI screen of the printer driver. The information processing device 100 can convert the image data or the like stored in its own device into a printer description language by the printer driver and transmit it to the printing device 200.

As will be described later, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to set such printing conditions with good operability.

[Hardware configuration]
With reference to FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a touch panel display 120, a display control unit 130, a VRAM 140, and a communication interface (hereinafter, “interface” is referred to as “IF”) 150.

The control unit 110 is substantially a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 114, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 116, and a storage unit 118. The CPU 112 controls the entire information processing device 100. The ROM 114 is a non-volatile storage device. The ROM 114 stores programs and data for the CPU 112 to control the information processing device 100. The RAM 116 is a volatile storage device. The storage unit 118 is a non-volatile storage device and includes, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 118 may be composed of, for example, an interface for a memory card and a memory card connected to the interface. The printer driver described above is stored in the storage unit 118. By executing this printer driver, the information processing apparatus 100 can realize an operation of causing the printing apparatus 200 to print an image based on the contents of a file (image data) specified by the user. The storage unit 118 also stores various data such as image data. The CPU 112 reads the program from the ROM 114 or the storage unit 118 into the RAM 116, and executes the program using a predetermined area of the RAM 116 as a work area.

The CPU 112, ROM 114, RAM 116, storage unit 118, touch panel display 120, display control unit 130, VRAM 140, and communication IF 150 are all connected to the bus 160, and data exchange between them is performed via the bus 160.

The touch panel display 120 communicates with the CPU 112 via an input / output interface (not shown). The touch panel display 120 includes a display unit 122 and a touch detection unit 124. The display unit 122 is a display device for displaying an image, and includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel. The touch detection unit 124 is, for example, a capacitance type touch panel, and detects an operation by touch. The touch detection unit 124 may be a touch panel of another method (for example, a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, etc.).

The display control unit 130 controls the display of the display unit 122 under the control of the CPU 112. The display control unit 130 includes a drive (not shown) for driving the display unit 122. The display control unit 130 reads the image data stored in the VRAM 140 at a predetermined timing, generates a signal for displaying the image on the display unit 122, and outputs the signal to the display unit 122. The displayed image data is read by the CPU 112 from the storage unit 118 and transmitted to the VRAM 140. A touch detection unit 124 (touch panel) is superimposed and arranged on the display screen of the display unit 122. The user can give an instruction to the image displayed on the display unit 122 by touching the display screen.

Touch operations include a touch operation in which the fingertip simply touches the screen (operation in which the screen is pressed only once for a short time), a long press operation in which the screen is pressed for a long time with the fingertip (operation in which the screen is continuously pressed for a certain period of time), and It includes various operations and operations by touching the touch detection unit 124, such as a flick operation in which the fingertip touching the screen is swiftly swept.

The communication IF 150 wirelessly communicates with the access point 60 and enables the information processing device 100 to be connected to the network 50.

[Configuration of printer driver operation screen (UI screen)]
With reference to FIG. 3, the touch panel display 120 (display unit 122) displays an operation screen 300 for setting conditions as a window. The operation screen 300 switches and displays a plurality of setting screens by tab operation in one window. The operation screen 300 includes a "Main" tab 302, a "Paper Source" tab 304, a "Finishing" tab 306, a "Layout" tab 308, and a "Job Handling" tab 310 as tabs for switching the setting screen. When any of these tabs is operated by the user, the screen of the operated tab is displayed in the operation screen 300 (window). For example, when the "Layout" tab 308 is touch-operated by the user, the screen transitions to the setting screen for setting the print layout. When the operation screen 300 is displayed, the setting screen of the "Main" tab 302 (hereinafter referred to as "main setting screen") is displayed by default. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the main setting screen 320 is displayed.

The main setting screen 320 is a basic setting screen for setting basic printing conditions. For example, frequently used conditions such as the number of copies to be printed, output paper size, double-sided printing, and N-UP printing (aggregate printing) can be set. It is configured to be configurable. That is, on the main setting screen 320, a plurality of setting buttons (operation items) for setting frequently used print conditions are displayed. The plurality of setting buttons are, for example, a number of copies setting button 322 for setting the number of copies to be printed, an original size setting button 324 for setting the original size of the image to be printed, and an output size setting button for setting the size of the output paper. 326, Transport direction setting button 328 for setting the transport direction of recording paper, Zoom setting button 330 for zoom setting, Double-sided printing setting button 334 for setting double-sided printing, Multi Shot printing (aggregate printing) Includes an aggregate print setting button 336 for setting the above, a color mode setting button 338 for setting the color mode, and a staple setting button 340 for setting the presence or absence of staples. The zoom setting button 330 is in a state where the setting operation can be performed by checking the check box 332. Of these setting buttons, the setting buttons for conditions that cannot be set are grayed out.

The original size setting button 324, the output size setting button 326, the transport direction setting button 328, the double-sided printing setting button 334, the aggregate printing setting button 336, the color mode setting button 338, and the staple setting button 340 are set by selecting conditions. It consists of pull-down buttons that can be used. When these setting buttons are touch-operated by the user, a pull-down menu (not shown) is displayed. The user can set the desired condition by selecting the condition from the displayed pull-down menu.

The operation screen 300 further includes a default button 342 for returning the condition setting to the default state, an area 346 for displaying the image 344 and the like reflecting the set condition, and an OK button 348. When the OK button 348 is operated, the set conditions are confirmed and the operation screen 300 is closed. By displaying the image 344 or the like in which the setting conditions are reflected in the area 346, the user can easily recognize what kind of printing conditions are set. The buttons displayed on the operation screen 300 and operated by the user are preferably displayed in a size that is easy to operate by touch.

The displayed color of the operated setting button is changed to indicate that the setting button is in focus, that is, to indicate that the setting button is in the selected state.

The "Paper Source" tab 304, the "Finishing" tab 306, the "Layout" tab 308, and the "Job Handling" tab 310 other than the "Main" tab 302 are detailed setting screens (sub-setting screens) for setting more detailed conditions. This is a dedicated tab for displaying. On the detailed setting screen displayed by operating the dedicated tab, it is possible to set more detailed conditions than the conditions that can be set on the main setting screen 320.

For example, the output size setting button 326 and the double-sided printing setting button 334 of the main setting screen 320 are also displayed on the detailed setting screen of the "Paper Source" tab 304, and the aggregate print setting button 336 is displayed on the "Layout" tab 308. It is also displayed on the detailed setting screen. On the main setting screen 320, when an operation different from the touch operation is performed on the setting button common to the detailed setting screen, the detailed setting screen in which the same (corresponding) setting button as the operated setting button is displayed is displayed. The screen display switches. In the present embodiment, the screen display is switched from the main setting screen 320 to the detailed setting screen by long-pressing the setting button. For example, when the aggregate print setting button 336 on the main setting screen 320 is pressed and held, the screen transitions to the detailed setting screen of the “Layout” tab 308. This facilitates the setting of detailed conditions. The long press operation of the setting button is performed when the pull-down menu is not displayed.

[Software configuration]
A control structure of a computer program executed by the information processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 in order to improve the operability of condition setting. This program is started in response to receiving an instruction input for printing.

This program is executed in step S1000 for acquiring image data and print settings, and in step S1010 which is executed after step S1000 to determine whether or not a setting change instruction has been given and branches the control flow according to the determination result. , Step S1020 is executed when it is determined that the setting change instruction is given, and is executed after step S1020 and step S1020 to display the operation screen 300 on the display unit 122 via the display control unit 130. It is executed when it is determined in step S1030 and step S1030 that it is determined whether or not the long press operation of the button has been performed and the control flow is branched according to the determination result, and when it is determined that the long press operation of the setting button has been performed. Step S1040 and step S1040 for controlling the display of the display unit 122 so as to transition to the setting screen (corresponding tab screen) in which the setting button corresponding to the long-pressed setting button is displayed via the display control unit 130. Step S1050, which is executed after S1040 and focuses on the setting button corresponding to the long-pressed setting button, and step S1050, which is executed after step S1050, determines whether or not the detailed setting is selected, and responds to the determination result. Step S1060 for branching the flow of control and step S1070 for storing the contents of the selected detailed settings in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118, which is executed when it is determined in step S1060 that the detailed settings have been selected. Including. If it is determined in step S1010 that the setting change instruction has not been given, the control proceeds to step S1120. In step S1050, the display of the display unit 122 is controlled so that the display color of the focused setting button is changed to display the setting button.

Further, in step S1030, this program is executed when it is determined that the long press operation of the setting button has not been performed, it is determined whether or not the touch operation of the setting button has been performed, and the control flow is determined according to the determination result. Is executed when it is determined that the touch operation of the setting button has been performed in step S1080 and step S1080, and the state (setting content) selected by the touch operation is temporarily stored in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118. Step S1090 to be performed. If it is determined in step S1080 that the setting button has not been touched, the control returns to step S1030.

This program is further executed when it is determined in step S1060 that the detailed setting is not selected, or is executed after step S1070 or step S1090, and it is determined whether or not the OK button 348 is operated (pressed). , It is executed when it is determined that the OK button 348 has been operated in step S1100 and step S1100, which branch the control flow according to the determination result, the set conditions are determined, and the display control unit 130 is used. Then, it is determined whether or not the display of the display unit 122 is controlled so as to hide the operation screen 300, and whether or not the instruction for printing execution is input by the user, which is executed after step S1110 and the determination result. It includes a step S1120 for branching the control flow, and a step S1130 which is executed when it is determined in step S1120 that an instruction input for printing execution has been input and transmits a print job to the printing apparatus 200. When the process of step S1130 is completed, this program ends. If it is determined in step S1100 that the OK button 348 has not been operated, the control returns to step S1030. If it is determined in step S1120 that the instruction for printing execution has not been input, the control returns to step S1010.

[motion]
The information processing device 100 according to the present embodiment operates as follows. In the following description, only the part related to the present invention will be described in the operation of the information processing apparatus 100. Other operations are the same as those of the conventional information processing device.

It is assumed that the application software (hereinafter referred to as "application software") is started in the information processing device 100. When the information processing device 100 receives an instruction input for printing in the started application software, it acquires image data and print settings (printing conditions) of the image displayed in the application software (FIG. 6). Step S1000 shown. When the user receives an instruction to change the print setting (print condition) (YES in step S1010), the control unit 110 controls the display unit 122 to display the operation screen 300 via the display control unit 130 (step S1020). ).

With reference to FIG. 3, an operation screen 300 for setting printing conditions is displayed on the display unit 122 of the information processing apparatus 100. The main setting screen 320 is displayed in the operation screen 300. On the main setting screen 320, operation items (setting buttons) for setting frequently used conditions such as the number of copies, output paper size, double-sided printing, and N-UP printing (aggregate printing) are arranged. There is. When any of these setting buttons is touch-operated by the user (YES in step S1080), a pull-down menu including settable conditions is displayed in the vicinity of the operated setting button. When a desired condition is selected by the user from the displayed pull-down menu, the control unit 110 temporarily stores the condition (setting content) selected by the user in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118 (step S1090). For example, when the color mode setting button 338 is touch-operated, a pull-down menu including conditions such as "automatic", "color", and "grayscale" is displayed in the vicinity of the color mode setting button 338. .. When, for example, "Automatic" is selected by the user, the selected conditions are stored in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118.

On the main setting screen 320, for example, when any of the output size setting button 326, the double-sided print setting button 334, and the aggregate print setting button 336 is long-pressed (YES in step S1030), the control unit 110 controls the display. The display of the display unit 122 is controlled so as to transition to the detailed setting screen including the same setting button as the setting button operated by long pressing via the unit 130 (step S1040). For example, when the aggregate print setting button 336 is pressed and held for a long time, the screen transitions to the detailed setting screen of the “Layout” tab 308. On the main setting screen 320 before the screen transition, the "number of pages to be allocated" can be selected as the aggregate printing setting by touching the aggregate print setting button 336.

With reference to FIG. 4, on the detailed setting screen 350 of the “Layout” tab 308, the “number of pages to be allocated” can be set as the setting for aggregate printing, and the “allocation order”, as more detailed conditions, "Addition of dividing line (Border)", "Aggregate printing of the second and subsequent sheets (N-Up w / o 1st Page)", and "Do not reduce the allocation size (100% N-Up)" can be set. Is. Therefore, in the detailed setting screen 350, in addition to the same setting button 352 as the aggregate print setting button 336, an order setting button 354 for setting the "allocation order" and a check box are checked when "adding a dividing line" is added. It includes a box 356, a check box 358 that is checked when "printing the second and subsequent sheets collectively", and a check box 360 that is checked when "does not reduce the allocation size".

When the detailed setting screen 350 is transitioned to by the long press operation of the aggregate print setting button 336, the focus moves to the same (corresponding) setting button 352 as the aggregate print setting button 336 operated by the long press. That is, on the detailed setting screen 350 after the transition, the setting button 352 is in focus (step S1050 shown in FIG. 6).

When, for example, 4 pages (4 in 1) are selected as the "number of pages to be allocated" on one sheet of paper by the touch operation of the setting button 352, the control unit 110 stores the selected conditions in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118. .. Further, for example, when the order to be assigned is selected by the touch operation of the order setting button 354 (YES in step S1060), the control unit 110 stores the selected condition in the RAM 116 or the storage unit 118 (step S1070). In the area 346 of the operation screen 300, instead of the image 344, an image 362 reflecting the selected (set) condition is displayed.

After transitioning to the detailed setting screen, when a long press operation of the setting button is performed on the detailed setting screen, the control unit 110 displays the screen transition to the main setting screen 320 via the display control unit 130. Controls the display of 122. When the detailed condition is set on the detailed setting screen, the content of the set detailed condition is newly displayed on the main setting screen 320. For example, in the detailed setting screen 350 shown in FIG. 4, when the setting button 352 is pressed and held for a long time, the screen transitions to the main setting screen 320. With reference to FIG. 5, on the main setting screen 320, the same (corresponding) aggregate print setting button 336 as the long-pressed setting button 352 (see FIG. 4) is in focus. Further, when the order to be assigned is selected (set) by touch operation of the order setting button 354 on the detailed setting screen 350, the same (corresponding) order setting as the order setting button 354 is set on the main setting screen 320 after the transition. Button 364 is newly displayed in a predetermined area (for example, next to or near the aggregate print setting button 336). By displaying the order setting button 364, the contents of the set detailed conditions are displayed on the main setting screen 320. The display color of the order setting button 364 is changed and displayed. For example, the order setting button 364 is displayed on the display unit 122 in a lightly colored state. This makes it easier to understand the changed settings.

When the OK button 348 is touch-operated by the user (YES in step S1100), the print condition is changed to the stored condition (setting content), and the operation screen 300 is closed (step S1110). Upon receiving the instruction to execute printing by the user (YES in step S1120), the control unit 110 transmits a print job including image data and print settings (print conditions) to the printing apparatus 200 (step S1130).

[Action / Effect]
As is clear from the above description, by using the information processing device 100 according to the present embodiment, the effects described below can be obtained.

The main setting screen 320 displayed on the display unit 122 of the information processing device 100 includes a setting button for selecting and setting conditions for functions that can be executed by the printing device 200. When a long press operation on the setting button is accepted on the main setting screen 320, a detailed setting screen for setting detailed conditions of the function set by the operated setting button is displayed on the display unit 122. On the other hand, when the touch operation for the setting button is accepted on the main setting screen 320, the condition selected by the operation of the setting button is set.

The user can select and set the conditions of the functions that can be executed by the printing device 200 by performing a touch operation on the setting button displayed on the main setting screen 320. Therefore, the conditions of the function can be selected and set on the main setting screen 320 without separately calling the setting screen of the function to be set. Further, the detailed setting screen can be displayed on the display unit 122 by long-pressing the setting button. The user can set detailed conditions that cannot be set on the main setting screen 320 on the displayed detailed setting screen. In this way, when it is desired to set detailed conditions, the detailed setting screen is displayed by operating the setting button on the main setting screen 320, so that the print conditions can be set with good operability. As a result, the user can easily set the conditions of the desired function. Further, since the setting button for setting the printing conditions that are usually often used is arranged on the main setting screen 320, the distinctiveness of the setting button is improved.

Further, when the transition from the main setting screen 320 to the detailed setting screen is performed, the display color of the setting button corresponding to the setting button operated by pressing and holding on the main setting screen 320 is changed and displayed on the detailed setting screen. .. That is, the setting button is in the focused state. As a result, even when the screen is changed to the detailed setting screen, the condition (setting button) to be set on the main setting screen 320 before the transition can be easily recognized.

(Second Embodiment)
The information processing device according to the first embodiment is different from the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it detects an operation on the setting button even when it is touched in the vicinity of the setting button. In other respects, each information processing device has the same configuration.

With reference to FIG. 7, an operation screen 400 is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus instead of the operation screen 300 (see FIG. 3). On the operation screen 400, the same main setting screen 410 as the main setting screen 320 (see FIG. 3) is displayed. A plurality of setting buttons are displayed on the main setting screen 410, and a detection area for detecting a touch on the setting button is set so as to surround the setting button. In the present embodiment, the detection area is set in the setting button that transitions to the detailed setting screen by a long press operation. For example, the detection area 420 is set so as to surround the output size setting button 326, the detection area 422 is set so as to surround the double-sided print setting button 334, and the detection area 424 is set so as to surround the aggregate print setting button 336. Is set. If it is a touch within these detection areas, the operation by touching the setting button is detected even if the setting button is not touched. A similar detection area may be set for buttons other than these setting buttons. Further, the same detection area may be set for the setting button displayed on the detailed setting screen.

By setting the detection area for the setting button in this way, even if the touch position for the setting button shifts, the operation for the setting button is detected. This further improves operability when setting print conditions. Other effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)
The information processing device according to the first embodiment is the same as the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment in that an information icon for displaying the operation information of the setting button is displayed in the vicinity of the setting button. Is different. In other respects, each information processing device has the same configuration.

With reference to FIG. 8, an operation screen 500 is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus instead of the operation screen 300 (see FIG. 3). On the operation screen 500, the same main setting screen 510 as the main setting screen 320 (see FIG. 3) is displayed. A plurality of setting buttons are displayed on the main setting screen 510. The plurality of setting buttons include a setting button that transitions to the detailed setting screen by a long press operation. As setting buttons for transitioning to the detailed setting screen by a long press operation, for example, an output size setting button 326, a double-sided print setting button 334, and an aggregate print setting button 336 are displayed on the main setting screen 510. The information icon 520 is displayed near the output size setting button 326, the information icon 522 is displayed near the double-sided print setting button 334, and the information icon 524 is displayed near the aggregate print setting button 336. Has been done.

When the information icon 520, 522, or 524 is touch-operated, a message (operation information) notifying the transition to the detailed setting screen by long-pressing the setting button is displayed on the display unit 122.

With reference to FIG. 9, for example, when the information icon 524 displayed in the vicinity of the aggregate print setting button 336 is touch-operated by the user, the operation information of the aggregate print setting button 336 (“Layout when this setting button is pressed and held) The notification screen 530 with the message "Move to the detailed setting screen of the tab.") Is displayed in a pop-up. The notification screen 530 continues to be displayed while the information icon 524 is touched by the user. The user can know how to easily move to the detailed setting screen from the operation information displayed on the notification screen 530. When the information icon 520 or 522 is operated, a notification screen similar to the notification screen 530 is popped up.

The notification screen may be displayed, for example, until a predetermined time elapses after the information icon is touched.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The printer driver shown in the first embodiment can be installed and used not only in an information processing device that supports touch operation on the screen but also in an information processing device that does not support touch operation. Is. In the present embodiment, an example in which a printer driver is installed in such an information processing device will be described.

With reference to FIG. 10, the information processing apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment includes a personal computer (PC). The information processing device 600 is communicably connected to the printing device 200 via the network 50. A printer driver for transmitting a print job to the printing device 200 is installed in the information processing device 600. This printer driver is the same printer driver as in the first embodiment.

[Hardware configuration]
With reference to FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 600 includes a control unit 610, an input IF 620, an output IF 630, and a communication IF 640. The control unit 610 is substantially a computer, and includes a CPU 612 that controls the entire information processing device 600, a ROM 614 for storing programs and the like, a RAM 616 that is a volatile storage device, and a storage device 618. The storage device 618 is a non-volatile storage device that retains data even when the energization is cut off, and is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory. A bus 650 is connected to the CPU 612, and a ROM 614, a RAM 616, and a storage device 618 are electrically connected to the bus 650.

An input IF 620, an output IF 630, and a communication IF 640 are further connected to the bus 650. Data (including control information) exchange between each unit is performed via the bus 650.

The input IF 620 provides an interface for the connection between the mouse 622 and the keyboard 624. The input IF 620 can also be connected to a pointing device other than the mouse 622. The output IF 630 provides an interface for connection to and from the display 632. The display 632 is a display device including a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel. The display 632 does not support touch operation input. Therefore, the operation (instruction input) for the screen displayed on the display 632 is performed using, for example, the mouse 622 or the keyboard 624. The communication IF 640 provides a connection to the network 50 by wire or wirelessly (wired in this embodiment).

The ROM 614, RAM 616, storage device 618, input IF 620, output IF 630, and communication IF 640 all operate in cooperation under the control of the CPU 612, and the information processing device 600 realizes processing by various applications. These applications execute, for example, a word processor document creation process, a spreadsheet document creation process, or a print process of transmitting print data created by these creation processes to the printing apparatus 200.

The storage device 618 stores the printer driver for causing the printing device 200 to execute a print job. By executing this printer driver, the information processing device 600 can realize an operation of causing the printing device 200 to print an image based on the contents of a file specified by the user.

[motion]
The information processing apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment operates in the same manner as the information processing apparatus 600 according to the first embodiment in setting printing conditions. However, the operation method for the operation screen displayed on the display 632 is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a click operation is performed by a pointing device such as a mouse 622 instead of the touch operation.

The information processing device 600 according to the present embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

(Modification example)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tablet device or a PC which is one kind of information processing device is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The information processing device may be a device other than these.

In the above embodiment, an example in which a multifunction device having a plurality of operation modes is used for the printing device connected to the information processing device has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The printing device connected to the information processing device may be, for example, a printer device having only a printer function.

Although the above embodiment has shown an example in which the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected via a network, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The information processing device may be configured to be directly connected to the printing device by a printer cable or the like without going through a network. The information processing device may also be configured to transmit a print job to the printing device by wirelessly communicating with the printing device.

In the above embodiment, an example of transitioning to the detailed setting screen by long-pressing the setting button has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The operation for transitioning to the detailed setting screen may be an operation other than the long press operation as long as it is an operation different from the operation for selecting and setting the condition. Instead of the long press operation, for example, a double tap operation of tapping the display screen twice with a finger, a flick operation of quickly wiping the fingertip touching the display screen, or a swipe operation of sliding the fingertip touching the display screen, etc. Good. When operating the setting button using a pointing device such as a mouse, the operation for transitioning to the detailed setting screen may be, for example, a double-click operation instead of the long-press operation.

The fourth embodiment has been applied to the first embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. That is, the fourth embodiment may be applied to each of the second or third embodiments, or a combination thereof as appropriate.

Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the techniques disclosed above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed this time are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims, taking into consideration the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein. Including.

100, 600 Information processing device 110 Control unit 118 Storage unit 122 Display unit 124 Touch detection unit 200 Printing device 300, 400, 500 Operation screen 302 to 310 Tabs 320, 410, 510 Main setting screen 322 Number of copies setting button 326 Output size setting button 334 Double-sided print setting button 336 Aggregate print setting button 338 Color mode setting button 350 Detailed setting screen 352 Setting button 354, 364 Order setting button 420 to 424 Detection area 520-524 Information icon 530 Notification screen 632 Display

Claims (8)

A print control device connected to a printing device
Display control means for controlling the display of the display device,
A reception means for accepting operations on the screen displayed on the display device, and
The setting means for setting the condition of the function executed by the printing apparatus according to the operation received by the receiving means is included.
The display control means
A first display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display a basic setting screen including operation items for selecting and setting conditions for functions that the printing device can execute.
In the basic setting screen, in response to the reception means accepting the first operation for the operation item, the detailed conditions of the function set in the operated operation item instead of the basic setting screen. A second display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the detailed setting screen for setting the display device.
The setting means is a condition for setting a condition selected by the operation of the operation item in response to the reception means receiving a second operation different from the first operation for the operation item. A print control device that includes setting means. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the reception means includes a touch operation reception means for receiving an operation on the screen by touch, which is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display device. The second display control means
Details of the first operation item corresponding to the operation item and the function set in the operation item in response to the reception means receiving the first operation for the operation item on the basic setting screen. A control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the detailed setting screen including the second operation item for setting various conditions.
The first or second aspect of the detailed setting screen, which includes a display color changing means for controlling the display of the display device so as to change the display color to display the first operation item. Print control device. The display control means further responds to the reception means receiving the first operation for any of the first operation item and the second operation item on the detailed setting screen, and the basic operation means. The print control device according to claim 3, further comprising a third display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the setting screen. The condition setting means is for setting detailed conditions according to the operation of the second operation item in response to the reception means receiving the second operation for the second operation item. Including detailed condition setting means
The third display control means controls the display of the display device so that the second operation item for setting the detailed conditions set by the detailed condition setting means is displayed on the basic setting screen. , The print control device according to claim 4. The basic setting screen and the detailed setting screen are any of claims 1 to 5, respectively, including a tab for switching the screen display to the basic setting screen or the detailed setting screen in one window. The print control device described. A control method for a print control device connected to a print device.
A display control step in which the print control device controls the display of the display device,
A reception step in which the print control device receives an operation on a screen displayed on the display device, and
The print control device includes a setting step of setting conditions for a function executed by the print device in response to an operation received in the reception step.
The display control step
The first display control for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the basic setting screen including the operation items for the user to perform the operation of selecting and setting the conditions of the functions that the printing device can execute. Steps and
In response to receiving the first operation for the operation item in the reception step on the basic setting screen, detailed conditions of the function set by the operated operation item instead of the basic setting screen. A second display control step for controlling the display of the display device so as to display a detailed setting screen for the user to perform an operation for setting the above.
In the setting step, in response to the acceptance of the second operation different from the first operation for the operation item in the reception step, the print control device sets the conditions selected by the operation of the operation item. A control method that includes a condition setting step to set. Computers connected to printing and display devices
A display control means for controlling the display of the display device and
A reception means for accepting operations on the screen displayed on the display device, and
A printer driver program that functions as a setting means for setting conditions for a function executed by the printing device according to an operation received by the receiving means.
The display control means
A first display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display a basic setting screen including operation items for selecting and setting conditions for functions that the printing device can execute.
In the basic setting screen, in response to the reception means accepting the first operation for the operation item, the detailed conditions of the function set in the operated operation item instead of the basic setting screen. A second display control means for controlling the display of the display device so as to display the detailed setting screen for setting the display device.
The setting means is a condition for setting a condition selected by the operation of the operation item in response to the reception means receiving a second operation different from the first operation for the operation item. A printer driver program that includes configuration means.

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