JPH09244860A - Method, device for controlling display of icon, output system provided with the same device and storage medium for storing procedure of the same method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exactly grasp the state of an output device by storing plural pieces of icon information and displaying that icon while changing its display form corresponding to the state information of the output device connected through a line. SOLUTION: An information transfer part 2 at a color printer 1 transmits the state information showing the state of the color printer 1 through the line or a cable to computer equipment 3, and an information transfer part 4 at the computer equipment 3 receives this information. On the other hand, an icon storage part 5 at the computer equipment 3 holds plural pieces of icon data. Then, based on the information received by the information transfer part 4, any one piece of icon data corresponding to the state information of the color printer 1 is selected and extracted out of plural pieces of icon data stored in the icon storage part 5 by an icon selecting part 6 and based on the icon data selected by the icon selecting part 6, a display part 7 displays the icon while changing its display form.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an icon display control device for connecting an output device via a line, a method thereof, an output system including the device, and a storage medium for storing the procedure of the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a color printer and a computer device which is used by connecting the printer locally or via a network, when the printer device connected to the computer device is displayed in the form of an icon, the model of the printer device is used. Alternatively, there is a method of displaying an icon that enables to determine whether the printer device is a color printer or a monochrome printer. Further, there is also a method of changing the shape of the icon and displaying the icon to indicate whether or not the printer device is usable.

[0003]

When the connected printer device is a color printer, it can be determined by the conventional method that the printer device is a color printer. For example, the printer device is out of toner or ink. Therefore, although color printing cannot be performed, monochrome printing may be possible in some cases. In such a case, in the above-described conventional technique, such a state cannot be discriminated from the contents displayed on the computer device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and an icon display control method capable of confirming the state of the output device by an icon display on a computer device installed away from the output device. And an apparatus therefor and an output system including the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an icon display control method and apparatus for accurately grasping the state of the output device by changing and displaying the display form of the icon according to the state of the output device. And to provide an output system including the device.

Another object of the present invention is to easily display on a screen of a host device whether a color printer connected through a line is capable of color printing or monochrome printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a display control method of an identifiable icon, a device thereof, and an output system including the device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an icon display control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an icon display control device for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line by using an icon, and acquiring means for acquiring status information of the output device, and storing a plurality of icon information. Storage means, selection means for selecting corresponding icon information from the plurality of icon information stored in the storage means based on the state information acquired by the acquisition means, and based on the icon information selected by the selection means Display means for displaying an icon.

In order to achieve the above object, the icon display control method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is,
An icon display control method for displaying the state of an output device connected via a line using an icon,
An acquisition step of acquiring status information in the output device,
The method includes a step of changing the display mode of the icon information stored in the memory based on the acquired state information, and a step of displaying the icon based on the icon information whose display mode is changed.

In order to achieve the above object, an output system including an icon display control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an output system including an icon display control device for displaying the state of an output device connected via a line by using an icon, wherein the display control device acquires state information in the output device. Means, storage means for storing a plurality of icon information, selection means for selecting corresponding icon information from the plurality of icon information stored in the storage means based on the state information acquired by the acquisition means, A display unit that displays an icon based on the icon information selected by the selection unit, and the output device includes a transmission unit that transmits status information indicating a status of the output device to the display control device.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a color printer, and 2 is an information transfer unit for transmitting status information indicating the status of the color printer 1 to a computer device 3. The color printer 1 may be a printer device of any system such as an inkjet system, a laser beam system, and a thermal transfer system. The computer device 3 is connected to the color printer 1 via a line or a cable, and the information from the color printer 1 is received by the information transfer section 4. An icon storage unit 5 holds a plurality of icon data. An icon selection unit 6 is an icon selection unit that selects and extracts one icon data from the icon storage unit 5 based on the information received by the information transfer unit 4. 7
Is a display unit, and displays based on the icon data selected by the icon selection unit 6. 8 is a disk drive,
It is also possible to set a disk 9 such as a floppy disk and read and execute the program data stored in the disk 9. The procedure program module stored in the disk 9 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of information transmitted and received between the color printer 1 and the computer equipment 3.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is information indicating the type of the color printer 1, in which "LBP-1Color" indicating a color laser beam printer (LBP) is set. Reference numeral 22 is status information indicating the status of the color printer 1, which indicates that it is in the online status "On-Line". Reference numeral 23 is information indicating the toner state of the printer, which indicates that the yellow (Y) toner has run out. Reference numeral 24 indicates information indicating the type of recording paper loaded in the color printer 1, and it can be seen that color printing paper is set here.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing in the computer device 3 of the present embodiment, and particularly the processing of the icon selecting section 6 is mainly shown.

OS running on computer device 3
From this, an icon display request is periodically output. When this is input in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, and the command associated with this icon display request is output to the color printer 1. As a result, the color printer 1 responds by sending data (state information) as shown in FIG. 2 to the computer device 3 in response to the command.

In the computer device 3, based on the received information, first in step S3, the color printer 1
Is available (whether it is online according to the information 22 in FIG. 2). If it is not in the online state, the process proceeds to step S8, and an icon indicating that the color printer 1 is unusable is selected and acquired from a plurality of icon data in the icon storage unit 5, and the step S8
At 9, the OS is requested to display the selected icon on the display unit 7.

On the other hand, in step S3, the color printer 1
If is available, the process proceeds to step S4 and the information 2 in FIG.
Based on 3, it is determined whether or not the color toner of the printer 1 has run out. If the color toner runs out (black toner remains), the process proceeds to step S7, in which only monochrome printing is possible. The icon shown is selected from the icon storage unit 5 and acquired, and in step S9, an instruction to display the icon is issued.

If the color toner is not exhausted in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, and the information 24 in FIG.
On the basis of the above, it is determined whether or not the paper loaded in the color printer 1 is a paper for color printing. If the paper for monochrome printing is loaded, the process proceeds to step S7, and as described above, only monochrome printing is performed. An icon indicating that it is possible is displayed on the display unit 7.

If it is determined in step S5 that color printing is possible in the color printer 1, the process proceeds to step S6, and an icon indicating that color printing is possible in the color printer 1 is displayed in a plurality of icons in the icon storage section 5. Selected from the icons, and in step S9, the acquired icon is requested to be displayed on the display unit 7 and control is returned to the OS.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, depending on whether or not color printing is possible in the color printer 1 connected to the computer device, the display of the icon indicating the state is changed and the computer is changed. Since it can be displayed on the screen of the device 3, the operator of the computer device 3 can perform proper printing according to the state of the printer connected thereto.

[Second Embodiment] Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the second embodiment, the first embodiment is used.
In the above, the computer device 3 periodically issued a command for requesting printer information to the color printer 1, but in the second embodiment, the computer device 3 is issued when the state of the color printer 1 is changed. To issue a command to.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information transfer section 4 of the computer device 3 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is the computer device 3 executed thereby.
7 is a flowchart showing a process in the icon selection unit 6 of FIG.

In FIG. 4, when the state of the color printer 1 changes, a signal indicating that the state of the color printer 1 has changed is sent from the information transfer section 2 of the printer 1 to the information transfer section 4 of the computer device 3. To be Thereby, in step S11, the information transfer unit 4 receives the signal. As a result, the process proceeds to step S12 to request the printer information (state information) of the color printer 1 from the information transfer unit 2 of the color printer 1. In response to this, the printer information (data format in FIG. 2) returned from the color printer 1 is acquired. Then, in step S13, the information transfer unit 4 of the computer device 3 acquires the printer information, triggers the icon selection unit 6, and sends the received printer information (S1).
4). After that, the information transfer unit 4 returns to the state before receiving the signal from the color printer 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing in the icon selecting section 6 of the computer device 3 executed by this. First, in step S15, when a trigger signal from the information transferring section 4 is detected, the process proceeds to step S16 and the color printer 1 Get the printer information sent from.
After that, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed to select and acquire the icon indicating each state of the color printer 1 from the icon storage unit 5 (S6, S7, S8),
The acquired icon is displayed on the screen of the display unit 7 (S9). After displaying the icon corresponding to the screen in this way, the icon selection unit 6 returns to the state before being triggered by the information transfer unit 4.

Also in the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, the icon data displayed on the computer device 3 is changed according to the state of whether the color printer 1 is capable of color printing. Therefore, the operator of the computer device 3 can accurately grasp the state of the color printer 1 based on the icon display.

The embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the display showing the state of the color printer 1 is performed based on the state information from the color printer 1. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments described above, whether or not the color printer 1 is capable of color printing is evaluated based on the presence or absence of color toner and the type of paper used for printing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the information returned from the color printer 1 includes information other than those listed here, and if the information includes information that affects color printing, then evaluate that information. You may make it sequentially and select the display icon suitable for it.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. .

In FIG. 6, the computer 3a includes an icon changing unit 55 for changing an icon displayed on the display unit 7 based on the data from the color printer 1, and an icon changing unit based on the information received from the color printer 1. 55
Further, a monitor unit 56 for requesting change of icon data, and a data storage unit 58 for storing icon data are provided.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example for changing the icon display in the icon changing section 55.

Upon receiving the change request data as shown in FIG. 7 from the monitor unit 56, the icon changing unit 55 changes the icon display data stored in the icon storage unit 58 according to the data.

Data "0" indicates "no change", data "1" indicates icon display "monotone", and data "2" indicates icon "reverse display".

8 to 10 are flowcharts showing the icon selection processing. The operation of the third embodiment will be described according to this flowchart.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing in the information transfer section 4 of the third embodiment.

When the state of the color printer 1 is changed in step S21, when the information transfer section 2 of the printer 1 sends a signal indicating the state change to the information transfer section 4 of the computer equipment 3a, the process proceeds to step S22. Upon receiving the signal from the color printer 1, the information transfer unit 4 requests printer information from the information transfer unit 2 of the color printer 1. Next, in step S23, the printer information returned from the color printer 1 in response to this is acquired. Then, in step S24, the information transfer unit 4 triggers the monitor unit 56 to output the received information to the monitor unit 56 in step S25. After that, the information transfer unit 4 returns to the state before the step S21. The information acquired in step S23 is assumed to be in the format shown in FIG. 2, for example.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitor unit 56 of the computer device 3a according to the third embodiment.

First, in step S26, when a trigger (issued in step S24 in FIG. 8) from the information transfer unit 4 is detected, the process proceeds to step S27, and the printer status information received from the color printer 1 (output in step S25). ) To get. Next, in step S28, based on the information from the information transfer unit 2 of the color printer 1, as in steps S2 to S5 of FIG.
Determine whether or not is available. If the color printer 1 is unusable in step S28, the process proceeds to step S33, and an information code (for example, "2""reverse") indicating that the color printer 1 is unusable is sent to the icon changing unit 55.

If the color printer 1 is usable, the process proceeds to step S29, and it is determined from the printer information whether or not the color toner is exhausted. If so, the process proceeds to step S32 to indicate that only monochrome printing is possible. The information code (for example, “1” “monotone”) is sent to the monitor unit 55.

If there is remaining color toner in step S29, the flow advances to step S30 to determine whether or not the paper loaded in the color printer 1 is a printing paper for color, and for monochrome printing. If the paper is loaded, the process proceeds to step S32, the above-mentioned processing is performed, and if the paper for color printing is loaded, the process proceeds to step S3.
In step 1, the information code (for example, “0” “no change”) indicating that color printing is possible is sent to the monitor unit 55.

After the processing in these steps S31 to 33 is completed, the monitor section 56 returns to the state before being triggered by the information transfer section 4.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the icon changing section 55 of the third embodiment.

First, in step S41, the icon changing unit 5
5 is in the standby state, and in step S42, the monitor unit 56
When the information code is received from step S43, the icon data stored in the icon storage unit 58 is read out based on the change data and the contents thereof shown in FIG. The data is output as it is or after being changed. That is, here, when the information code from the monitor unit 56 is "0", the icon data is displayed on the display unit 7 without any change. When the information code from the monitor unit 56 is "1", the color data is changed to monochromatic data and displayed on the display unit 7. Further, when the information code from the monitor unit 56 is “2”, the icon data read from the icon storage unit 58 is inverted and displayed on the display unit 7. After that, the icon changing unit 55 returns to the original standby state.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the display form of one icon data can be changed and displayed in an identifiable manner according to the state of whether or not color printing is possible by the color printer. Whether or not color printing can be performed by the connected color printer 1 can be confirmed only by displaying icons.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 80 denotes a network, and 81 is a color printer, which communicates with other devices connected to the network 80 via the communication section 82. An information transfer unit 83 transfers the status information of the color printer 81 to the network 80 via the communication unit 82.

Reference numeral 84 is a computer device connected to the network 80, and reference numeral 85 is a communication section for controlling data transmission / reception with the network 80. An icon data acquisition unit 86 acquires icon data from the computer device 89 that holds the icon data. 87
Is an analysis unit that receives printer status information from the information transfer unit 83 of the color printer 81 via the communication units 85 and 82, and analyzes the status of the printer. An icon display unit 88 displays an icon on the display screen of the computer device 84.

Reference numeral 89 is a computer device that stores icon data, 8a is a communication unit of the computer device 89, and 8b is a storage unit that stores icon data.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the process of selecting an icon in the analysis unit 87 of the computer equipment 84. The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described according to this flowchart.

O running on computer equipment 84
When an icon display request is periodically input from S, the icon data acquisition unit 86 requests printer information from the color printer 81 (S51). As a result, in step S52, the printer information sent from the color printer 81 is acquired. The information thus obtained is in the data format as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

In steps S53 to S55, it is determined whether or not the color printer 81 can be used in the same manner as in steps S3 to S5 of FIG. 3 described above. If the color printer 81 cannot be used, the process proceeds to step S58. The storage unit 8b of the computer device 89 is requested for the icon shown. If it is available, the process proceeds to step S54, and it is determined whether or not the color toner is exhausted. If the toner is exhausted, the process proceeds to step S57, and icon data indicating that only monochrome printing is available is transmitted. Computer equipment 89
Request to the storage section 8b.

If there is no problem with the color toner in step S54, the flow advances to step S55 to determine whether the paper loaded in the color printer 81 is a color printing paper. When the color printing paper is not loaded, the process proceeds to step S57, and the storage unit 8b of the computer device 89 is requested to transmit the icon data indicating that only monochrome printing is possible.

If there is no problem in the determination in step S55, the process proceeds to step S56, and the storage unit 8b of the computer device 89 is requested to transmit the icon data indicating that color printing is possible (S56). After the processing of any of these steps S56 to S58 is completed, the process proceeds to step S59, and the storage unit 8 of the computer device 89.
The icon data sent from b is acquired, and step S6 is carried out.
In step 0, the received icon data is requested to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 88. After the icon display is completed in this way, the display completion is responded to the OS of the computer equipment 84, and the control is returned to the OS. Thus, the display unit 88
Displays the icon received from the computer device 89 based on this request.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the color printer connected via the network determines whether or not color printing is possible, and changes the icon data displayed on the computer device. be able to. As a result, the user of the computer device can accurately grasp the state of the connected color printer and perform proper printing only by checking the icon.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the icon data is held in the computer equipment 89 other than the computer equipment 84, but it may be held in the computer equipment 84. Also, in the fourth embodiment, as in the above-described embodiments, one piece of icon data is stored in the storage unit 8b, and the change of the icon data according to the result analyzed by the analysis unit 87 is requested, for example, As explained in FIG.
The icon data may be changed and displayed.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. To do.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 104 denotes a computer device for managing the color printer 81, which is a communication unit 105,
The monitor unit 106 holds printer status information received from the color printer 81, and the status analysis unit 107 analyzes the status of the color printer 81 based on the status information. Reference numeral 10b denotes a computer device that uses the color printer 81, and includes a communication unit 10c and a computer device 10.
The icon acquisition unit 10 that acquires icon data corresponding to the status of the color printer 81 from the storage unit 8b of the computer device 89 based on the printer status information from
d, the display unit 1 that displays the acquired icon on the screen
0e and the like.

14 to 16 are flowcharts showing the icon selection processing in the fifth embodiment. The operation of the fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing in the color printer 81. First, in step S61, when the information transfer section 83 detects a change in the state of the color printer 81, it passes through the communication section 82 and the network 80 to a computer. Trigger the device 104,
In step S63, the change information of the state of the color printer 81 is sent out. After that, the information transfer unit 83 proceeds to step S
Return to the state before the detection of 61.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the processing in the computer device 104.

In step S71, the analysis unit 107 triggers the color printer 81 (corresponding to S62 in FIG. 14).
And the status information of the color printer 81 (issued in S63 of FIG. 14) is acquired from the information transfer unit 103 of the color printer 81 (S72). The information thus obtained has a data format as shown in FIG. 2, for example.
Next, in steps S73 to S75, as in steps S3 to S5 of FIG. 3 described above, it is determined whether or not the color printer 81 is usable based on the received data. An information code (for example, “2” “reverse”) indicating that it is impossible is stored in the monitor unit 106 (S78).

If it can be used in step S73, the process proceeds to step S74, it is determined whether or not the color toner runs out, and if so, the process proceeds to step S77, and an information code indicating that only monochrome printing is possible (for example, " 1 ”“ monotone conversion ”) is stored in the monitor unit 106.

If there is no problem with the color toner, the process proceeds to step S75, and it is determined whether the loaded paper is a color paper (S75). If not, that is, if it is a monochrome printing paper, An information code (for example, “1” “monotone conversion”) indicating that only monochrome printing can be used is stored in the monitor unit 106.

If there is no problem in the above evaluation, step S7
In step 6, the information code indicating that color printing is possible (for example, “0” “no change”) is stored in the monitor unit 106. After the processing of any of steps S76 to 78 is completed in this way, the computer device 104 returns to the state before receiving the trigger from the color printer 81.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing in the computer device 10b.

When an icon display request comes from the OS of the computer device 10b, the process proceeds to step S81, where the icon acquisition unit 10d causes the color printer 81 to the monitor unit 106 of the computer device 104 via the communication unit 10c and the network 80. Request status information for. Then, in step S82, the printer status information returned in response to the request is acquired. Corresponding data as shown in FIG. 17 is created based on this state information (S83).

In FIG. 17, if the data is “0”, the “color icon” is shown, if the data is “1”, the monochrome icon is shown, and if the data is “2”, the stop icon is shown.

Then, in step S84, the icon corresponding to each status information is acquired from the storage section 8a of the computer device 89. Then, the process proceeds to step S85 to request the display unit 10e of the computer device 10b for display. After the corresponding icon is displayed on the screen in this way, the control is returned to the OS in response to the display completion to the OS.

With the above configuration, according to the fifth embodiment, when the color printer connected via the network is managed by the computer device, the information of the color printer is acquired from the computer device, and further, The printer icon can be acquired and displayed according to the state of whether or not color printing is possible in the color printer. This allows users of computing equipment to
Whether or not color printing is possible can be recognized simply by looking at the icon displayed on the screen.

In the fifth embodiment, the computer data 89 other than the computer device 10b is used as the icon data.
The icon data is stored in the computer device 10b without any problem. Also in the fifth embodiment, the computer device 10d is provided with the function of changing one icon data, and the icon data is acquired from another or held in the computer device 10d.
The display of the icon data may be changed by referring to the corresponding data as shown in FIG.

[Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of a computer system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. Omit it.

The difference from FIG. 13 is that the monitor unit 106 in FIG. 13 holds the printer state judged from the state information from the color printer 81.
The monitor unit 136 according to the sixth embodiment holds the printer status information obtained from the color printer 81 as it is. In addition, the icon acquisition unit 1 of the computer device 10b
3d is different from the above-described function of the icon acquisition unit 10d in FIG. 13 in that it acquires printer information from the monitor unit 136 and analyzes the printer information to create printer status information.

Even if the portion for determining the printer status is located in either the computer that manages the printer 81 or the computer that uses the color printer 81, the information of the color printer 81 is evaluated and color printing is performed. The printer icon can be acquired and displayed according to the status of availability. As a result, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the user can recognize the state of the color printer simply by checking the displayed icon.

[Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. Omit it.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 144 denotes a computer device that manages the color printer 81, and the communication unit 14
5, an icon holding unit 146 that holds icons, a state analysis unit 147 that receives information from the color printer 81 and analyzes the state of the printer 81, and a storage unit 146 that stores a plurality of icon data.

As in the fifth embodiment, the information transfer section 83 of the color printer 81 detects that the state of the color printer 81 has changed, and then the computer device 14
4 is triggered and the changed status information is sent out. As a result, the state analysis unit 147 acquires the state information of the color printer 81 in response to the trigger from the color printer 81. Based on this acquired status information,
Similar to the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether the color printer 81 can be used. And a color printer 81
Of the plurality of icon data stored in the icon storage unit 148 according to the state of the printer 81, the icon suitable for the state of the printer 81 is selected, and the icon holding unit 14 is selected.
The icon data is stored in 6.

In the computer device 10b, when an icon display request comes from the OS running on the computer key 10b, the icon data held in the icon holding unit 146 is acquired and displayed on the display unit 10e. To request. After this screen is displayed, the display completion is responded to the OS of the computer device 10b, and the control is returned to the OS. In response to this request, the display unit 10e displays the icon on the screen.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the status information of the color printer connected via the network can be acquired and the host device can display the icon according to the status information.

In the seventh embodiment, the icon data is the computer device 1 that manages the color printer 81.
Although it is held at 44, like the fifth embodiment described above,
It may be held in another computer on the network 80.

Also in the seventh embodiment, the computer device 144 may hold one type of icon data, and change and display the icon data according to the state of the color printer 81.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

A storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. ) And the like perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, This also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium (disk 9 in FIG. 1) stores the program code corresponding to the above-mentioned flowchart. Each module shown in the memory map example of FIG. 20 is stored in the storage medium.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral 201 denotes a module for storing a display request trigger input procedure, which is activated by a trigger by an OS running on a computer device (S1) or is set in a state in a color printer. When a change occurs, it is activated by a request signal from the printer (S11). Reference numeral 202 denotes a printer information acquisition module, which shows a procedure for inputting the status information sent from the printer and obtaining the status of the printer (S
2, S12, etc.). A determination module 203 determines the state of the printer, for example, whether it is in the online state, out of toner, or whether recording paper is appropriate, based on state information from the printer. Reference numeral 204 denotes an icon selection module, which corresponds to a procedure for selecting a corresponding icon from a plurality of pieces of icon information according to the printer status or changing a certain icon according to the printer status. To do. Reference numeral 205 denotes an icon display request module, which shows a processing procedure for displaying based on the icon information changed or selected by the module 204.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an icon for identifying whether or not color printing is possible, for example, can be displayed on the host device according to the state of the connected printer. The printer status can be determined and printing can be performed.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the same processing can be performed through the network.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, in a color printer shared by a network, when there is a computer for managing the color printer, the status information of the color printer is obtained through the computer and the content is displayed. can do.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a color printer shared by a network, when there is a computer for managing the color printer, the computer judges the printer state and uses the color printer. By providing the computer corresponding to the printer with an icon corresponding to the printer state, the user can accurately grasp the printer state even in the network environment.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, by changing the display form of one icon, various states can be displayed in a distinguishable manner without using a plurality of icon data.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the state of the output device can be confirmed by the icon display on the computer equipment installed away from the output device.

According to the present invention, the state of the output device can be properly grasped by changing and displaying the display form of the icon according to the state of the output device.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily identify on the screen display of the host device whether the color printer device connected via the line is capable of color printing or monochrome printing. There is an effect.

[0095]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of printer information according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of an icon selection unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of an information transfer unit 4 of the computer device 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the icon selection unit 6 of the computer device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information code indicating a printer status.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in the information transfer unit 4 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the monitor unit 56 of the computer device 3a according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an icon changing unit 55 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a computer device 84 according to the fourth embodiment.
9 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting an icon in the analysis unit 87 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a color printer 81 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
In the flowchart which shows the processing in

FIG. 15 is a computer device 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the process in 04.

FIG. 16 is a computer device 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the process in 0b.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence data created based on printer status information in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a computer according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a system.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the program module structure of the storage medium which stores the control program executed by the system.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Tokashiki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Susumu 3-30-3 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Shoji Koike 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Naoki Ishii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Maiko Suenaga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Kenji Mikami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A display control device of an icon for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line by using an icon, and an acquisition means for acquiring status information of the output device, and a plurality of icon information. A storage unit for storing the icon, a selection unit for selecting corresponding icon information from the plurality of icon information stored in the storage unit based on the state information acquired by the acquisition unit, and an icon selected by the selection unit. A display device for displaying an icon based on information, and an icon display control device. 2. An icon display control device for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line by using an icon, and an acquisition unit for acquiring status information of the output device, and storing the icon information. Based on the icon information whose display form is changed by the changing unit, and the changing unit that changes the display form of the icon information stored in the storing unit based on the state information acquired by the acquiring unit An icon display control device comprising: a display unit that displays an icon. 3. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a color printer, and the status information includes information indicating whether or not the color printer can perform color printing. Including. 4. The icon display control device according to claim 2, wherein the changing unit changes the icon information so that the icon is monochrome or inverted. 5. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit transmits status information from the output device to the display control device when the status of the output device changes. Then, the status information is acquired. 6. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit issues a request signal to the output device by a program executed by the display control device, and the request signal is output. In response to the status information output from the output device. 7. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is connected via a network. 8. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the state information includes information indicating whether the output device is in an online state. 9. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the status information includes information indicating whether the output device is out of toner. 10. The icon display control device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a color recording device, and the status information is for color recording by the color recording device. Information indicating whether or not the recording medium of FIG. 11. An icon display control method for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line by using an icon, the acquiring step of acquiring status information of the output device, and the acquired status. An icon comprising: a step of selecting corresponding icon information from a plurality of pieces of icon information stored in the memory based on the information; and a step of displaying the icon based on the selected icon information. Display control method. 12. An icon display control method for displaying the state of an output device connected via a line using an icon, the obtaining step of obtaining state information of the output device, and the obtained state. Display control of an icon comprising: a step of changing a display form of icon information stored in a memory based on the information; and a step of displaying an icon based on the icon information whose display form is changed. Method. 13. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is a color printer, and the status information includes information indicating whether or not the color printer can perform color printing. Including. 14. The icon display control method according to claim 12, wherein the icon information is changed so that the icon is monochrome or inverted. 15. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein in the acquisition step, the status information is transmitted from the output device when the status of the output device changes. Get status information. 16. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein in the obtaining step, a request signal is issued to the output device, and the output signal is output from the output device in response to the request signal. Get status information about 17. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is connected via a network. 18. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein the state information includes information indicating whether the output device is in an online state. 19. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein the status information includes information indicating whether the output device is out of toner. 20. The icon display control method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is a color recording device, and the status information is for color recording by the color recording device. Information indicating whether or not the recording medium of FIG. 21. An output system including an icon display control device for displaying the state of an output device connected via a line using an icon, wherein the display control device displays state information in the output device. Acquisition means for acquiring, storage means for storing a plurality of icon information, and selection for selecting corresponding icon information from the plurality of icon information stored in the storage means based on the state information acquired by the acquisition means Means and a display means for displaying an icon based on the icon information selected by the selecting means, wherein the output device has a transmitting means for transmitting status information indicating a status of the output device to the display control device. An output system having. 22. An output system including an icon display control device for displaying the state of an output device connected via a line using an icon, wherein the display control device displays state information in the output device. Acquisition means for acquiring, storage means for storing icon information, change means for changing the display form of the icon information stored in the storage means based on the state information acquired by the acquisition means, and display by the change means A display unit that displays an icon based on the icon information whose form has been changed, and the output device has a transmission unit that transmits status information indicating a status of the output device to the display control device. And output system. 23. The output system according to claim 21, wherein the output device is a color printer, and the status information includes information indicating whether or not the color printer can perform color printing. 24. The output system according to claim 22, wherein the changing unit changes the icon information so that the icon is monochrome or inverted. 25. The output system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the transmitting means transmits status information from the output device to the display control device when the status of the output device changes. 26. The output system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the transmitting unit outputs a request signal to the output device when the request signal is issued to the output device by a program executed by the display control device. Send status information in response. 27. The output system according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the output device is connected via a network. 28. The output system according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the state information includes information indicating whether the output device is in an online state. 29. The output system according to claim 21, wherein the status information includes information indicating whether the output device is out of toner. 30. The output system according to claim 21, wherein the output device is a color recording device, and the status information is a recording medium for the color recording device to perform color recording. It includes information indicating whether or not 31. A computer-readable storage medium for storing an icon display control program for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line using an icon, and acquiring status information of the output device. Acquisition procedure module, and a procedure module for selecting corresponding icon information from a plurality of icon information stored in the memory based on the acquired state information, and displaying an icon based on the selected icon information And a display procedure module for performing the same. 32. A computer-readable storage medium storing an icon display control program for displaying the status of an output device connected via a line using an icon, and acquiring status information of the output device. Acquisition procedure module, a procedure module that changes the display form of the icon information stored in the memory based on the acquired state information, and a display procedure module that displays an icon based on the icon information whose display form has been changed And a storage medium.