JPH10124436A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set the operating conditions of input and output devices. SOLUTION: This processor, e.g. a computer is connected to an input device, e.g. a scanner 6 and an output device, e.g. a printer 8. Then a device sharing file 11 is added to store the set operating condition of the scanner 6 and to enable a device driver 7 of the printer 8 to refer to and use the operating condition of the scanner 6. In such a constitution, the printer (output device) 8 can always refer to and use the common condition set between the scanner (input device) 6 and the printer (output device) 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which an input device such as a scanner and an output device such as a serial printer and a laser printer are connected to a host device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an information processing apparatus of this type, for example, a computer 100 is provided with a CPU (central processing unit) 102 constituting a control section main body of the computer 100, as shown in FIG. 10
1 are connected to each other. That is, in the bus line 101, a ROM (read only memory) 103 storing program data for controlling each part, and a RAM (random / random) provided with a memory used for data processing and the like are provided. Access memory) 104 is connected.

The bus line 101 includes an input device driver 105 for controlling an input device 111 such as a scanner, an output device driver 106 for controlling an output device 112 such as a printer, and the device driver 105 for the input device. Device setting record file 10 for managing the operating conditions of the input device 111
7. An output device setting record file 108, which is managed by the output device device driver 106 and sets operating conditions of the output device 112, is connected to a display controller 109 which controls the display device 113.

The computer 100 has an external interface (not shown) to which an input device 6 and an output device 8 are connected via a communication line.
The input device setting record file 107 and the output device setting record file 108 are stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk device, so that the device drivers 105 and 106 can read and write the stored information. I have.

The input device driver 105 and the output device driver 106 operate on the operating system of the computer 100, and are control programs created exclusively for each device.
It sets operating conditions for the device, converts data, and the like.

When using such an input device 111, a user sets operating conditions before operating the input device 111. At this time, the user
The operating conditions of the input device 111 are set in accordance with setting items such as paper setting, resolution, color information, and image quality on the input screen on the operating system 0. The information set at this time is input device driver 1
Setting record file 1 for input device that can be managed and referenced by the user 05
07. The input device device driver 105 reads and uses the information recorded in the input device setting record file 107 when the input device 111 operates.

On the other hand, when the output device 112 is used,
As in the case of the input device 111, the user operates the output device 1
Before operating 12, operating conditions are set. At this time, the user sets the operation conditions of the output device 112 according to predetermined setting items on the input screen on the operating system of the computer 100. The information set at this time is recorded in the output device setting record file 108 which can be managed and referenced by the output device device driver 106. The output device device driver 106 reads and uses the information recorded in the output device setting record file 108 when the output device 112 operates.

[0008]

However, in such an information processing apparatus, the input device 111 and the output device 1
Twelve operating conditions are separately set, and the set operating conditions are separately set in the setting record files 107 and 10.
Therefore, even if there is a common setting condition between the input device 111 and the output device 112, the setting conditions cannot be shared with each other. For this reason, it is necessary to separately set common setting conditions between the input device 111 and the output device 112, and there is a problem that the setting operation is troublesome.

Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus which can facilitate the setting operation of operating conditions by making it possible to refer to and use common setting conditions between an input device and an output device at any time. It is something to offer.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of input / output devices which are controlled by a device driver and perform input and / or output of data are connected. The information processing apparatus is provided with a device shared file configured to store the setting of the operating condition of the output device and to be usable by the device driver of another input / output device with reference to the operating condition of the first input / output device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus in which an input device and an output device are connected as input / output devices.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device shared file configured to store setting of an operating condition of the input device and to be usable by a device driver of the output device with reference to the operating condition of the input device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when an output device is operated, a device driver of the output device selects whether or not to use the device by referring to a device shared file when setting operating conditions of the input device. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is enabled.

In the present invention having such a configuration, in the setting of the operating conditions of the input / output device performed before the device driver controlling the one input / output device operates the input / output device, the input is performed according to each setting item. The information is recorded in the device shared file. Then, the other input / output device can confirm the operating condition of one input / output device by referring to the setting information recorded before the operation of the one input / output device from the device shared file. This allows
If the operating condition of one input / output device is set, the operating condition common to each input / output device is set regardless of the setting of the other input / output device. It can be set equal to the operating condition.

In setting the operating conditions of the input device, if the device driver of the output device is set so as to refer to and use the device shared file when the output device is operated, the input device and the output device can be used. , The operating condition of the output device can be set equal to the operating condition of the input device. On the other hand, when setting the operating conditions of the input device, if the device driver of the output device is set so as not to be used by referring to the device shared file when the output device is operated, regardless of the setting of the input device, the output device The output device can be operated based on the setting of the operation condition.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a computer will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer 1 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that forms a control unit main body of the computer 1, and reference numeral 3 denotes program data for the CPU 2 to control each unit. ROM storing
Reference numeral 4 denotes a RAM provided with a memory or the like used by the CPU 2 for data processing. Reference numeral 5 denotes a scanner device driver that controls a scanner as an example of an input device. Reference numeral 7 controls a printer 8 as an example of an output device. A printer device driver, 9 is a display device controller for controlling a display device 10 such as a display, and 11 is a device shared file.

The CPU 2 and the ROM 3, RAM 4, scanner device driver 5, printer device driver 7, display device controller 9, and device shared file 11 are electrically connected by bus lines 12 such as a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus. It is connected. The computer 1 has an external interface (not shown), and the scanner 6 and the printer 8 are connected to the external interface via a communication line.

The scanner device driver 5 and printer device driver 7 operate on an operating system of the computer 1.
A control program created specifically for each device is used to set operating conditions for that device and convert data.

When setting the operating conditions of the scanner 6 as described above, the computer 1 displays an input screen as shown in FIG. 2 on the display device 10 based on a control program operating on the operating system. This input screen displays the paper size (PaperSize) and paper type (PaperQualit
y), setting items for operating conditions of the scanner 6 such as resolution (Resolution), color (InputColor), etc., and “Use for printing” for selecting whether or not to use these operating conditions when the printer 8 is operated. Check box, "OK" button to record information set on this input screen in the device shared file 11, "Cancel" to cancel setting
Buttons are provided.

The description of these setting items, the check in the check box, the operation of the "OK" button and the like can be performed by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like (not shown) connected to the computer 1.

The device shared file 11 is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk device, and the stored information can be read and written by the device drivers 105 and 106. In addition, the device shared files 11 may be directly readable and writable by the device drivers 5 and 7 themselves. For example, reading and writing may be controlled by a shared file management program. Is recorded, the device sharing file 11 is designated as the same file name.

FIG. 3 shows details of the device shared file 11. The inside of the device shared file 11 is described in alphabets to facilitate management. The file is classified into several items, and each item date is also classified as information as an entry name. In the first item [Machine], the model name of the currently selected scanner 6 is recorded in “Input =”, and the model name of the currently selected printer 8 is recorded in “Output =”.

In the input screen shown in FIG. 2, the setting contents of the check box of “Use when printing” are “PrintSetting =”.
To record. For example, if the “Use for printing” check box is checked, “PrintSetting = On” is set. In this case, the settings of the scanner 6 are reflected on the printer 8. If the “Use for printing” check box is not checked, “PrintSetting = Off” is set. In this case, the settings of the scanner 6 are not reflected on the printer 8. Therefore, the printer device driver 7 prints “PrintSetti
Make sure to refer to the setting of ng = ”.

In the item [Model Name # 1], the model name of the scanner 6 or the printer 8 actually selected in the item [Machine] is recorded as an item. The items of each model name are "PaperSize =", "PaperQuality =", "Resolu
Option = ”,“ InputColor = ”,“ OnputColor = ”, etc. are recorded.

The information recorded here includes information that can be shared by the scanner 6 and the printer 8 and information that cannot be shared. Information that can be shared by the scanner 6 and the printer 8 has an entry name common to both the scanner 6 and the printer 8.

FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the device shared file 11 in a tree view. The device shared file 11 is divided into “input” and “output”, and a model name is registered for each input / output, and information managed by each device is recorded for each model name. When referring to these pieces of information, a model name and an entry name are specified.

For example, when the setting information of the scanner 6 is referred to from the printer 8, it can be read by designating the model name of the currently selected scanner 6 and the entry name to be referred. Thus, the printer 8 can reflect the read information in the output operation.

When setting the operating conditions of the scanner 6, the CPU 2 performs setting control as shown in FIG. 5 based on the control program of the scanner device driver 5 operating on the operating system. . That is, the CPU 2 determines whether or not to set the operating conditions of the scanner 6 in ST (step) 1. For example, it is determined whether or not the user has specified the setting of the operating condition of the scanner 6 using the keyboard or the mouse.

At this time, if it is determined that the operating conditions of the scanner 6 are to be set, an input screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display device 10 in ST2. Subsequently, each item is set in ST3, and it is determined whether or not the “OK” button has been operated. If it is determined that the "OK" button has been operated, the information set on the input screen is recorded in the device shared file 11 in ST4, and this input control ends.

If it is determined in ST3 that the "OK" button has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the "Cancel" button has been operated. At this time, if it is determined that the “cancel” button has not been operated, ST
Returning to the process of step 3, if it is determined that the “cancel” button has been operated, the process returns to the process of ST1.

When the CPU 2 causes the printer 8 to operate, the control shown in FIG. 6 is performed based on a control program of a printer device driver 7 operating on an operating system. That is, the CPU 2 first determines whether or not to operate the printer 8 in ST11. When it is determined that the operation of the printer 8 is to be performed, in step ST12, “PrintS” of the “Machine” item shown in FIG.
See etting = ”.

Subsequently, in ST13, "PrintSetting = O"
n ”and then“ PrintSetting = On ”
In step ST14, the setting information of the scanner 6 in the device shared file 11 is read out, and the
At 15, the same operation conditions are set for the items common to the setting information of the scanner 6, and for the items not common, the operation conditions are set based on the setting information of the printer 8 and an operation command is sent to the printer 8. Do.

On the other hand, in ST13, "PrintSetti
If it is determined that “ng = Off”, the setting information of the printer 8 only in the device shared file 11 is read out in ST16, and the operation condition is set based on the setting information of the printer 8 in ST17 to operate the printer 8. Make a command.

In the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, the paper size, paper type, resolution, etc. of the scanner 6 are based on the control program of the scanner device driver 5 operating on the operating system of the computer 1. Setting of operating conditions and "Use when printing"
Is checked, the information is stored in the device sharing file 11.

When the operation of the printer 8 is performed,
The “PrintSetting =” corresponding to the “Use for printing” check box of the device shared file 11 is referred to. If the “Use for printing” check box is checked, that is, “PrintSetting = On”, the device The setting information of the scanner 6 in the shared file 11 is read, and the operating conditions are set to be the same for the items common to the setting information of the scanner 6, and the operating conditions are set based on the setting information of the printer 8 for the items that are not common. The setting is made and an operation command is issued to the printer 8.

If the “Use for printing” check box is not checked, that is, if it is determined that “PrintSetting = Off”, the setting information of the printer 8 in the device shared file 11 is read out, and the An operation condition is set based on the setting information, and an operation command is issued to the printer 8.

As described above, the setting of the operating conditions of the scanner 6 and the printer 8 is stored in the common device shared file 11, and the device shared file 11 is stored when the printer 8 operates.
Since the information of items common to the operating conditions of the scanner 6 is read out from the printer and used, if the operating conditions of the scanner 6 are set, the items common to the operating conditions of the scanner 6 among the operating conditions of the printer 8 will be described. Regardless of the setting of the operating condition of the printer 8, the same condition as that set automatically for the scanner 6 can be obtained without setting the operating condition of the printer 8 for the scanner 6. is there. This makes it easy to set the operation conditions of the scanner 6 and the printer 8.

Further, a check box of “use at the time of printing” is provided on the input screen of the operating conditions of the
Can be selected so as not to refer to information on items common to the operating conditions of the scanner 6 when operating. Thereby, the setting of the operating condition of the printer 8 can be prioritized.

In this embodiment, the case where one scanner 6 and one printer 8 are connected to the computer 1 as input / output devices has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable when a plurality of scanners 6 and printers 8 are connected to the computer 1.

In this embodiment, the operating conditions of the scanner 6 as an input device are set in advance and stored in the device sharing file 11, and the device sharing is performed when the printer 8 as the output device 8 operates. Although the description has been made with reference to the file 11, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. The operating conditions of the output device are set in advance and stored in the device sharing file 11. With reference to the file 11, the setting of the input device may be the same as the operating condition of the output device.

Thus, if the operating conditions of the output device are set, the operating conditions of the input device are automatically set for common items regardless of the setting of the operating conditions of the input device. There is an effect that the state becomes the same as the one obtained. Thus, the operation of setting the operating conditions of the input / output device can be facilitated.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the operating conditions of the input / output devices can be obtained by allowing the input / output devices to refer to and use the common setting conditions between the input / output devices at any time. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of facilitating the setting operation of (1).

Further, when setting the operating conditions of the input device, it is possible to select whether or not to refer to information on items common to the operating conditions of the input device when operating the output device. Thereby, the setting of the operating condition of the output device can be prioritized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an input screen for operating conditions of the scanner according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing details of a device shared file according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the configuration of a device shared file shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing input control of scanner operating conditions performed by the CPU shown in FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart showing control performed when the CPU shown in FIG. 1 operates the printer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer (information processing apparatus) 6 ... Scanner (input apparatus) 8 ... Printer (output apparatus) 5 ... Scanner device driver 7 ... Printer device driver 11 ... Device shared file

Claims (3)

[Claims] In an information processing apparatus connected with a plurality of input / output devices which are controlled by a device driver and perform both or one of data input and output, settings of operating conditions of at least one input / output device are stored. An information processing device provided with a device shared file configured so that a device driver of the input / output device can be used with reference to the operating condition of the input / output device. 2. An information processing apparatus in which an input device and an output device are connected as the input / output device, wherein setting of operating conditions of the input device is stored, and a device driver of the output device refers to operating conditions of the input device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device shared file configured to be usable by being used. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the output device is operated, whether a device driver of the output device refers to a device shared file and uses the device is selected when setting an operation condition of the input device. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: