JPH10181161A - Method and apparatus for control of printer and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To raise conveniences for use by a method wherein the contents of information to be stored in another card can be known on midway while a data is inputted by opening a specific card. SOLUTION: An image data wherein an image data indicating a card CD 3 of 'basic setting', and an image data expressing data of 'paper size' and 'printe direction' which are inputted from a card CD 4 of 'paper setting' excepting the card CD 3 are synthesized, is stored as a display image data in a display image memory. Therefore, an image wherein the data of 'paper size' and 'print direction' which are inputted from the card CD 4 of 'paper setting' excepting the card CD 3 are stated, is displayed on a CRT. Therefore, when the data is inputted by selecting the card CD 3 of 'basic setting', an operator can know the data to be set from the card CD 4 of 'paper setting' being the card excepting that from the CRT.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer control apparatus for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer, and controlling the printer based on the set various information, a method thereof, and a predetermined method. The present invention relates to a recording medium recording a computer program for setting various information for printing in a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data created by the computer is to be printed on the printer, it is necessary to incorporate software called a printer driver into the computer. The printer driver contains the printer functions and interfaces,
This is a computer program for controlling the printer by setting various information about the printer, such as font information and control codes, in the computer, and is prepared for each printer model to be printed.

FIG. 22 shows a “Properties” dialog box 900 displayed by a conventional printer driver.
It is explanatory drawing which illustrates. The operator can operate the computer to activate the printer driver incorporated in the computer and set various types of information. To make such settings, a property dialog box 900 shown in FIG. 22 is opened. Here, the various types of information can be divided into a plurality of sets for each function to be set, such as information relating to paper settings such as paper size and paper orientation, and information relating to graphics such as print resolution and color correction. As described above, in the property dialog box 900, individual setting cards 901 to 905 are prepared for each group, and a pointing device (for example, a mouse) is selected by the operator from among the plurality of setting cards 901 to 905. One card selected in is displayed.

By inputting data to the displayed card, the operator can set information classified into the card in the printer driver.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, when an operator performs data input for one selected and displayed card, the information classified into the one card is displayed. I could only get it. When performing data input for a predetermined card, there are many requests to know information classified into other cards.
It was necessary to select a card having the information to be known and to switch the screen display. Further, when data input for a predetermined card is in progress, it is necessary to return the screen from the switched screen display to the predetermined card. For this reason, the operator is repeatedly requested to operate the pointing device for switching the screen, which causes a problem that a great amount of work is required for the operator.

[0006] Further, according to the conventional technique, when changing the print quality, the operator needs to input data of many items on a specific card.
Similarly, a problem has arisen that places a great deal of labor on the operator.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to reduce the labor of an operator when inputting data to a printer driver.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve such problems, a first invention sets various information for printing in a predetermined printer, and stores the various information in the set various information. A printer control device for controlling the printer based on the image data of the individual setting card for each set obtained by dividing the various kinds of information into a plurality of sets. Card image selecting means for selecting the image data of one setting card from the image data of the setting card, and the image data of the setting card selected by the card image selecting means as display image data of the display device. Display control means for displaying on a display screen, and a display screen using image data of a setting card other than the image data of the setting card selected by the card image selecting means. At least one information of the information to be constant, is characterized by comprising an information display additional means for displaying a predetermined area of the display image data.

According to this structure, the display screen of the display device displays, in a predetermined area of the image data of the setting card selected by the card selecting means, other than the image data of the selected setting card. An image of image data representing at least one of the information set on the display screen using the image data of the setting card is displayed.

Therefore, when the operator selects a predetermined card and performs data input, the operator can know information set from other cards from the display screen of the display device. As a result, this printer control device
The number of times of switching the cards displayed on the display screen can be extremely reduced, and the work effort of the operator can be reduced.

In the first aspect of the invention, the image data of the setting card selected by the card selecting means is image data of a setting card for defining information on basic settings relating to print quality, and the other setting data The image data of the setting card can be configured to be image data of a setting card that defines information on sheet settings relating to sheets.

[0012] According to this configuration, when a card of "basic setting" is selected and data is input, information set from the card of "paper setting" can be known from the display screen of the display device. .

In the first aspect, the image data of the setting card selected by the card selecting means is:
It is image data of a setting card provided with a switch for opening a detailed input screen capable of inputting a plurality of pieces of information among the various information, and the image data of the other setting card is for setting the image forming the detailed input screen. It may be configured to be image data of a card.

According to this configuration, when data is input using a predetermined card, a plurality of pieces of information input from a detailed input screen opened from the card are displayed without opening the detailed input screen. It can be known from the display screen of the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, various types of quality information that determine the quality of printing by a printer are set as control quality information.
A printer control device that controls the printer based on the control quality information, a first storage unit that stores a plurality of parameter values that indicate a grade of the print quality in a stepwise manner, and that is stored in the first storage unit. A second storage unit configured to store a plurality of values of the quality information that are set in association with each of the parameter values and determine a degree of print quality indicated by each parameter value, and an operator using the printer. Quality specifying means for receiving an operation and specifying the degree of print quality desired by the operator by selecting one parameter value from a plurality of parameter values stored in the first storage means; The quality information corresponding to the parameter value is obtained by comparing the parameter value selected by the above with the contents of the second storage means. Quality information setting means for setting quality information as the control quality information; and a plurality of parameter values selectable by the quality specifying means, a plurality of parameter values selected from a plurality of parameter values stored in the first storage means. A paper type setting means for setting the type of paper used in the printer; and the plurality of parameter values limited by the quality specification range limiting means, And a limited range changing unit that changes the type according to the type of paper set by the user.

According to this configuration, the parameter value indicating the degree of print quality is selectively designated from the plurality of parameter values by the quality designating means in response to the operation by the operator, and according to the designated parameter value. Quality information is obtained by the quality information setting means, and further, when the paper type is set by the paper type setting means, a plurality of parameter values selectable by the quality specification means are determined according to the paper type. Changed. For this reason, the operator
Even if you do not have detailed knowledge of print quality information, you can select the appropriate print quality level for the paper type simply by roughly entering the parameter values that indicate the print quality level in steps. it can.

Therefore, the printer control device can allow anyone to input the print quality information. Further, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to input data for many items, so that the labor for data input can be reduced.

In the above-mentioned second invention, the quality designating means is a display screen of a display device, which uses image data of an image for prompting an operator to perform an input operation for designating a degree of the print quality as quality designating image data. Display control means, and data input means capable of performing data input according to the image on the display screen in response to the operation of the operator, the quality designation range limiting means, the quality designation image data, The image processing apparatus may further include a display image data setting unit that sets only the predetermined plurality of parameter values to image data representing an image to be an option by the quality specifying unit.

According to this configuration, the operator inputs data from the data input means while viewing the image data for quality designation displayed on the display screen of the display device. Since only a plurality of parameter values determined according to the type are represented, it is possible to always select a print quality level suitable for the paper type.

Further, in the second invention, the paper type setting means displays image data of an image prompting an operator to perform an input operation for setting the paper type on the display screen of the display device. It is possible to provide a display control means for setting the paper type to be displayed together with the image data for use.

According to this configuration, since the input field for setting the type of paper and the input field for specifying the degree of quality can be displayed on the same display screen, the operability of data input by the operator can be improved. Can be enhanced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer control method for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer and controlling the printer based on the set various information. The image data of the individual setting cards is prepared for each set obtained by dividing the image data into a plurality of sets, and the image data of one setting card is obtained from the image data of the plurality of setting cards according to an external command. (B) displaying the image data of the setting card selected in the step (a) on the display screen of the display device as display image data; and (c) selecting in the step (a). A step of displaying at least one of information set on a display screen using image data of a setting card other than the set setting card image data in a predetermined area of the display image data. Characterized in that it comprises and.

According to the third aspect, similarly to the first aspect, when the operator selects a predetermined card and performs data input, the operator can display information set from other cards on the display device. You can know from the display screen. Therefore, according to this printer control method, the number of times of switching the cards displayed on the display screen can be extremely reduced, and the work effort of the operator can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, various types of quality information for determining the quality of printing by a printer are set as control quality information.
A printer control method for controlling the printer based on the control quality information, wherein (a) storing a plurality of parameter values indicating a degree of the print quality stepwise;
(B) storing a plurality of values of the quality information which are set in association with each of the stored parameter values and each determine a degree of print quality indicated by each parameter value; (D) receiving a manipulation by an operator using a printer and designating a degree of the print quality desired by the operator by selecting one parameter value from the plurality of stored parameter values; Determining the quality information corresponding to the parameter value by comparing the parameter value selected in (c) with the content stored in step (b);
Making the quality information the control quality information;
(E) limiting a plurality of parameter values selectable in the step (c) to predetermined plural parameter values among the plurality of parameter values stored in the step (a);
(F) a step of setting the type of paper used in the printer; and (g) changing the plurality of parameter values defined in step (e) according to the type of paper set in step (f). Printer control method comprising the steps of:

According to the fourth aspect, similarly to the second aspect, anyone can input the print quality information, and the work of inputting the data can be reduced. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a computer program for setting various types of information for printing in a predetermined printer is recorded. (A) Each type of information obtained by dividing the various types of information into a plurality of sets. (B) preparing image data of an individual setting card for each set and selecting image data of one setting card from the image data of the plurality of setting cards in response to an external command; Displaying the image data of the setting card selected in the step (a) on the display screen of the display device as display image data; and (c) excluding the image data of the setting card selected in the step (a). Displaying at least one of information set on a display screen using image data of another setting card in a predetermined area of the display image data. And characterized by recording a computer program for.

According to the fifth aspect, similarly to the first and third aspects, when the operator selects a predetermined card and performs data input, the operator sets information set from other cards. It can be known from the display screen of the display device. Therefore, according to this recording medium, the number of card switching displayed on the display screen is extremely reduced,
It is possible to realize a reduction in the work labor of the operator.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a computer program for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer is recorded. And (b) setting a plurality of values of the quality information which are set in association with each of the stored parameter values and which respectively determine the degree of print quality indicated by each parameter value. Storing, and (c) receiving an operation by an operator using the printer, specifying a degree of the print quality desired by the operator by selecting one parameter value from the plurality of stored parameter values. (D) comparing the parameter values selected in the step (c) with the contents stored in the step (b), Obtaining the quality information corresponding to the parameter value, and using the quality information as the control quality information; and (e) storing a plurality of parameter values selectable in the step (c) in the step (a). (F) setting the type of paper to be used in the printer, and (g) setting the plurality of parameter values to be limited by the step (e). A computer program for causing a computer to execute a step of changing the parameter value according to the type of paper set in the step (f).

According to this recording medium, as in the second and fourth inventions, anyone can input the print quality information, and the labor for data input can be reduced. You can also.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a computer 10, a CRT display 12 as a peripheral device and a printer 1
4 is provided. The computer 10 is a computer body 1
6, a keyboard 18 and a mouse 20. The computer body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the hardware of the computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer main body 16 includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, a keyboard interface 35, which are mutually connected by a bus around a CPU 30 as a central processing unit.
An FDC 36, an HDC 37, a CRTC 38, a printer interface 39, and an I / O port 40 are provided.

The ROM 31 is a read-only memory for storing various built-in programs and the like. RAM
Reference numeral 32 denotes a readable / writable memory for storing various data and the like. The display image memory 33 is a memory for storing image data of an image to be displayed on the CRT display 12. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that controls exchange of data and the like with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is an interface that manages key input from the keyboard 18. The FDC 36 is a floppy disk controller that controls the floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. HDC37,
A hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41. The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls display of an image on the CRT display 12 based on display image data stored in the display image memory 33. Printer interface 3
An interface 9 controls output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 has a serial output port, is connected to a modem 44, and is connected to a public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and a specific server 48.
It can be connected to.

In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41,
When power is supplied to the computer main body 16 in accordance with the loader written in the boot block of D41, the RAM
It is loaded into 32 predetermined areas. Also, the printer 14
Printer drivers prepared for each model are stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and are installed from the floppy disk drive 24 to the computer main body 16 by activating a predetermined installation program. This installed printer driver is H
The information is stored in the DD 41, is incorporated in the operating system when the power of the computer main body 16 is turned on, and is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32.

By executing the printer driver by the CPU 30, various components of the present invention are realized.
The software program of the printer driver is stored in the floppy disk 22 as described above, but may be replaced with another portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, or the like. (Portable recording medium). In addition, the above-mentioned software program can be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring the program data to the RAM 32 or the HDD 41. .

Next, a description will be given of how printing is performed by the computer system having the above-described hardware configuration. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 to printing. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via a video driver 52 while processing the image by an application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. Also,
When the application program 51 issues a print command, a printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal that can be printed by the printer 14.

In the example shown in FIG.
3, a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and the printer 14 generates color in the image information (gradation data) converted into color information in dot units. A color correction module 55 for performing color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the above, a halftone that generates so-called halftone image information that expresses density in a certain area based on the presence or absence of ink in dot units from the image information after color correction A module 56 is provided. Further, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided inside the printer driver 53. Various types of information for printing include information relating to basic printing settings such as print quality, color correction, and halftone type, and information relating to paper settings such as paper size and printing direction.

The color correction information set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55, and the halftone type information is sent to the halftone module 5.
Sent to 6. The information setting module 57 displays an image indicating the contents of the setting on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52. The operation of each module except the information setting module 57 is well-known, and therefore, description thereof is omitted in principle, and the information setting module 57 will be described below.

The printer driver 53 can variously control printing by the printer 14 by changing the setting, but the operator needs to make such setting in advance. The information setting module 57 performs the operation of setting various kinds of information for printing. Here, this information setting module 5
First, what screen is displayed on the CRT display 12 by the operation 7 will be described. In this description, Windows 95 (a trademark of Microsoft Corporation) will be described as an example of an operating system on which the printer driver operates.

The operator first operates the computer 10 as follows to display a dialog box for setting various information for printing on the CRT display 12. That is, [Start] → [Settings] → [Printer]
The "Printer" window is opened by performing the above operation. Then, double-click the icon of the desired printer on that window to open a window for that printer. After that, from the window, [Printer] → [Properties] is operated to display a property dialog box for setting various information about the printer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1 when opened. As shown
In the dialog box DB1, "Information", "Details",
5 of “Basic setting”, “Paper setting”, “Utility”
Kinds of cards CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5
Is prepared. The "information" card CD1 is for setting information about the printer, such as a comment on the printer. The “details” card CD2 is for setting detailed information about the printer, such as the port to which the printer is connected. The "basic setting" card CD3 is for setting basic information relating to print quality. The "paper setting" card CD4 is used to set various information on paper.
The "utility" card CD5 is for setting other useful information.

One of these cards CD1 to CD5 is selected by operating the mouse 20 by the operator, and is displayed in the dialog box DB1.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a dialog box DB1 in which the "basic setting" card CD3 is opened. As shown in FIG.
Are provided with three data input fields E1, E2, and E3 of "mode setting", "paper type", and "ink" as data input fields for receiving data input from an operator. The card CD3 is provided with a data display field E4 for displaying some information of the contents of the current setting of the printer driver.

The "mode setting" data input field E1 is used to select a basic setting mode. A "recommended setting" mode for automatically performing a predetermined setting and a manual setting in detail. The "Detailed setting" mode to be set is button E
11 and E12 can be selected.

First, the operation when the button E12 is clicked and the "detailed setting" mode is selected will be described. When the "detailed setting" mode is selected, the data input field E14 and the data input field E15 are activated. As a result, it is possible to input a printing purpose from the data input field E14, and it is possible to open a dialog box for performing manual setting from the data input field E15.

The data input field E14 is for setting the type of data to be printed, and has options such as a word processor, a graph, and a photograph.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a manual setting dialog box DB2 opened from the data input field E15. As shown, data input fields E21, E22, E23 for "print quality", "paper type", "ink", "halftone", "microweave", "bidirectional printing", "color adjustment", etc. , E24, E2
5, E26 and E27 are provided.

The "print quality" data input field E21 is used to set the printing resolution, and three types of "draft", "fine", and "super fine" are prepared as options. Here, “draft”, “fine”, and “superfine” are 360 × 360 (d
ot), 720 × 360 (dot), 720 × 720
(Dot) resolution.

The "paper type" data input field E22 is for setting the type of paper, and "plain paper", "special paper for super fine", and "special glossy paper" are prepared as options. The "ink" data input field E23 is for setting the type of ink used for the printer 14, and "color" and "black" are prepared as options. It should be noted that the same data input fields E2 and E3 as the "paper type" and "ink" data input fields E22 and E23 are provided on the "basic setting" card CD3. The priority is given, and the display of the data input field which has been input first is changed according to the data input later.

"Halftone" data entry field E24
Sets the type of halftone, and "high-speed halftone" and "high-quality halftone" are prepared as options. The halftone type information is used in the halftone module 56 (FIG. 3).
The "microweave" data input field E25 is for turning on / off the function of the microweave. Here, the microweave is a function provided in the printer 14, and the printing quality can be improved by scanning one line with different heads and overprinting one dot. "Bidirectional printing" data entry field E
26 turns on / off the function of bidirectional printing. Here, the bidirectional printing is a function provided in the printer 14, and the printing speed can be increased by moving the different heads from the left and right directions.

The data input field E27 for “color adjustment”
It sets various information related to color correction. “Color correction by driver”, “video / digital TV camera mode”, and “ICM” are prepared as options, and the brightness, contrast, and saturation are further adjusted. Can be set.

Next, the data input field E1 of "mode setting"
Button E12 is clicked to select the "recommended setting" mode. When the "recommended setting" mode is selected, the slide lever-shaped button E13 is activated, so that it is possible to specify the quality of printing by the printer 14.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
The characters "clean" and "fast" are clearly indicated at both ends of the slide lever displayed as 3, and by dragging the slide lever portion with the mouse 20,
You can select either "Pretty" or "Fast". Note that the choices made by the button E13 are parameter values such as "clean" and "fast" as described above, which are used when "plain paper" is set in the "paper type" input field E2. Things. On the other hand, when another paper type is set in the “paper type” input field E2, other plural parameter values, specifically, “more beautiful”, “fine”, “standard” ,"fast"
Any two parameter values selected from are displayed. Here, “fast” means that the printing speed is high, but the printing quality is slightly inferior. This “fast” is also a kind of parameter value that determines the degree of the printing quality.

The parameter values such as “cleaner”, “cleaner”, “standard”, and “fast” determine the degree of printing quality step by step. In this “recommended setting” mode, the slide lever When one parameter value is selected by the button E13, the computer 10 executes a process of obtaining various types of quality information for determining the printing quality from the selected parameter value. Here, the various types of quality information correspond to the printing resolution, the type of halftone, and the functional classification of microweave. These various types of quality information are the same as those included in the information input from the manual setting dialog box DB2. The processing for obtaining the various types of quality information will be described later in detail.

Next, the data display section E4 will be described.
The data display column E4 includes “paper size”, “print direction”,
Display areas E41, E42, E43, E44, E45, E46 for displaying information on "print quality", "micro weave", "bidirectional printing", and "color adjustment".
It has. The contents of “paper size” and “print direction” displayed in the display areas E41 and E42 are data input and set using the card CD4 of “paper setting”. The details of the “paper setting” card CD4 will be described later.

The display areas E43, E44, E4
The contents of “print quality”, “micro weave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” displayed in 5, E46 are as follows. "Mode setting" data entry field E
When the "detailed setting" mode is selected in step 1, the display areas E43 to E46 display the data set in the "manual setting" dialog box DB2. That is, the data on “print quality” input in the data input field E21, the data input field E2
5, the data about "microweave" input into the data input field E26, the data about "bidirectional printing" input into the data input field E27, and the data about "color adjustment" input into the data input field E27 are displayed in the display area. E4
3, E44, E45, and E46.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the "recommended setting" mode is selected in the data input field E1, the display area E43 of "print quality" and the display area E44 of "micro weave" have the quality selected by the slide lever button E13. Data automatically obtained from the parameter value indicating the degree is displayed. In addition, the display area E45 of “bidirectional printing”
In the display area E36 of "color adjustment", data such as "color correction by driver" is displayed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a dialog box DB1 in which the card CD4 of "sheet setting" is opened. As shown in the figure, this "paper setting" card CD4
Includes "Paper Size", "Copies", "Print Direction",
Data entry field F for setting each "printable area"
1, F2, F3, and F4, and a display field F5 that shows a three-dimensional image of the printer 14 by a planar image are provided.

The "paper size" data input field F1 is used to set the paper size to be used together with the paper type.
For example, “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “A4 horizontal 2
10 × 297 mm ”,“ Western envelope 120 × 235 ”,
“Postcard 100 × 147 mm” and the like are prepared as options.

The number of copies to be printed field F2 is used to set the number of copies to be printed. In addition to the number of copies, whether the printing order is to be printed in copies or not, in either the normal or reverse order. You can also specify whether to print by clicking the check box.

The "print direction" data entry field F3 indicates the direction of printing on paper, and includes "vertical" and "horizontal".
And can be selected. The "printable area" data input field F4 is for setting a printable area on the paper, and "normal" and "centering" can be selected. "Normal" means that the printable area AR has a large margin at the lower end and the right end of the sheet P as shown in FIG.
1 and "centering" is defined in FIG.
As shown in (b), the printable area AR2 is determined so that a blank space is equally provided in the four directions of up, down, left, and right of the sheet P. Note that the margins at the lower end and the right end of the paper P in FIG. 8A are blanks mechanically generated by the printer 14, and the lower end does not cover the paper feed roller of the printer 14, and the right end serves as a carriage return. Occurs.

As described above, the display field F5 shows a three-dimensional image of the printer 14 as a two-dimensional image, and is a two-dimensional image from which the state of printing by the printer 14 can be understood. Specifically, the plane image is such that the following contents can be understood. Paper type and size Paper loading direction Paper transport path during printing Printing direction on paper Printable area on paper

The above-mentioned flat images indicated by are changed each time the set contents of the data input fields F1 to F4 are changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the data input field F1 of “paper size” is “A4 210 × 297 m”.
m ”, the plane image in the display field F5 is
The paper is set in a size corresponding to A4 in the printer in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the data input field F1 of "paper size"
210 × 297 mm ”, the display field F
The flat image of No. 5 is in a state where the paper is set in the printer in the horizontal direction at a size corresponding to A4. Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the “paper transport path during printing” is an arrow, the “printing direction on paper” is the direction of the character “A”, and the “printable area” is the paper portion. This is indicated by the position of the drawn dashed line.

The data regarding the “paper size” input in the data input field F1 and the data regarding the “printing direction” input in the data input field F3 are obtained by opening the above-mentioned “basic setting” card CD3. When the data display field E
4 are displayed in the display areas E41 and E42, respectively.

The screen display on the CRT display 12 is performed by the information setting module 5 of the printer driver 53.
7 is performed by the CPU 30 processing the processing routine. Next, a processing routine of the information setting module 57 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of the information setting module 57. This processing routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. As shown, when the process is started, the CPU 30 first activates the five types of cards CD1 to CD5 of "information", "details", "basic setting", "paper setting", and "utility". It is determined whether or not there is a command to change the card in the state (1) (step S100). Here, the active card refers to a card which is in a data input state and is displayed on the CRT display 12. The command to change the card is a command generated by an operation of clicking the index of the card using the mouse 20.

If it is determined in step S100 that there is no command to change the active card,
The process is once ended by exiting to "Return". On the other hand, if it is determined in step S100 that there is a command to change the active card, then the changed card is referred to as “information”, “details”, “basic setting”,
Five types of cards C for "paper setting" and "utility"
It is determined which of D1 to CD5 corresponds (step S110). Subsequently, a processing routine of a mode corresponding to the corresponding card, that is, a processing routine of an information mode, a detailed mode, a basic mode, a paper mode, or a utility mode is executed (steps S120 to S160). Thereafter, the process exits to "return" and ends the process.

Next, the processing routine of the basic setting mode executed in step S140 will be described. FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a processing routine in a basic setting mode. As shown, when the processing is started, the CPU 30 executes a card display processing routine for displaying image data indicating the card CD3 of “basic setting” on the CRT display 12 (step S200). afterwards,
Various data are input in response to a data input operation using the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20 by the operator viewing the display screen of the CRT display 12 (step S210). The input various data is stored in a predetermined position on the RAM 32 (step S220).

For example, in step S200, the image data of the card "CD3" of "basic setting" exemplified in FIG.
It is displayed on the T display 12. The operator has the C
Looking at the image data displayed on the RT display 12,
For example, the button E13 is operated to input data of "beautiful". In step S210, the CPU 30 performs a process of taking in the data of "beautiful". Next, in step S220, the “clean” data is stored in a predetermined position on the RAM 32. The data of “beautiful” is simple data when the “recommended setting” mode is selected, and is actually “720 × 720” as data of “output resolution” as data representing print quality information. (Corresponding to superfine) "," on "as" microweave "data, and" high-quality halftone "as" halftone "data are stored at predetermined positions in the RAM 32, respectively. . The process of storing the quality information will be described later in detail.

When the data storage operation is completed in this way, the process waits for the operator to click "OK" on the display screen of FIG. 5 and returns to "Return" to terminate the processing.

Next, the card display processing routine executed in step S200 will be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of the card display. When the process proceeds to step S200,
As shown in FIG. 12, first, the "basic setting" card CD
3 is read from the ROM 31 (step S300), and the base image data DT is transferred to the display image memory 33 (step S3).
10). Here, the base image data DT represents an image obtained by removing a portion determined by the input data from the image of the card CD3 shown in FIG. 5, and this image is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the buttons E11, E12, E1 in the input field E1 of "mode setting".
3, "paper type" input field E2, "ink" input field E
The image data of an image in which the buttons E31 and E32 of No. 3 and the display areas E41 to E46 of the data display field E4 are blank are transferred to the display image memory 33 as display image data.

Next, various data d1 to dn (where n is an arbitrary positive number) relating to the “basic setting” input from the card “CD3” of the “basic setting” up to the previous processing are RA.
The data is read from M32 (step S320), and the various data d1 to dn are added to a predetermined area of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 (step S33).
0). As a result, in FIG. 13, the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 includes the buttons E11, E12, and E13 in the “mode setting” input column E1, the “paper type” input column E2, and the “ink” in FIG. Button E in input field E3
31 and E32 show images in which characters or patterns based on various data d1 to dn are drawn. Also,
The display areas E43, E44, E45, and E46 indicating information on “print quality”, “micro weave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” in the data display column E4 also include various data d1 to dn. This indicates an image in which characters based on the image are drawn. Because "basic setting"
Since the data relating to the display areas E43 to E46 are input as any of the various data d1 to dn from the "manual setting" dialog box DB2 opened from the card CD, the display area E43,
E44, E45 and E46 can be filled.

Next, CPU 30 performs a process of reading reference data DS1 and DS2 from the reference table stored in RAM 32 (step S340). FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a reference table TBL.
As shown, the reference table TBL includes first reference data DS1 indicating a paper size and second reference data DS2 indicating a printing direction. The value of the reference table TBL is updated as follows.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing how the reference table TBL is updated. As shown, "Paper Settings"
In the paper setting mode in which the card CD4 is selected and executed, the processing S400 of inputting the paper size from the data input field F1 and the processing S410 of inputting the printing direction from the data input field F3 are performed. The paper size data df1 is stored in an area starting from the address a1 in the RAM 32 in the printing direction data df2.
Are respectively stored in areas starting from the address a2 in the RAM 32. At the same time, paper size data df
1 is the first reference data DS1 of the reference table TBL
The print direction data df2 is stored in the second reference data DS2 of the reference table TBL. Thus, each time the “paper size” and “print direction” are input in the paper setting mode, the reference data DS1 and DS2 of the reference table TBL are updated.

Returning to FIG. 12, in step S340,
A process of reading the reference data DS1 and DS2 from the reference table TBL is performed. Subsequently, the reference data DS
1, DS2 are added to a predetermined area of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 (step S35).
0). As a result, the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 includes a display area E indicating information on “paper size” and “print direction” in the data display column E4.
41 and E42 show images in which characters based on the reference data Ds1 and ds2 are drawn.

Thereafter, the CRTC 38 generates a CRT based on the display image data stored in the display image memory 33.
The display of an image on the display 12 is controlled (step S360). As a result, for example, as shown in FIG.
Parts E11 to E13, E2 such as buttons and display areas
The image of the card “CD3” of “basic setting” in which characters or patterns are embedded in E31, E32, and E41 to E46 is displayed on the CRT display 12. Step S3
After the execution of step 60, the process exits to "return" and ends this process once.

Using the "basic setting" card CD3 displayed on the CRT display 12 in this way, the data input operation is performed thereafter as described above (step S210 in FIG. 11).

According to the processing routine for displaying a card having the above-described structure, the predetermined data of the image data (the base image data DT and the image data based on the various data d1 to dn) indicating the card CD3 of the "basic setting" are determined. The image of the image data added with the data of “paper size” and “print direction” input from the card CD 4 of “paper setting” other than the card CD 3 in the area of
Will be displayed.

Therefore, the operator sets the "basic setting"
When the data is input by selecting the card CD3 of "Paper Settings", the card CD of "Paper Setting"
4, the data of “paper size” and “print direction” can be known from the CRT display 12. As a result, the number of times of switching the display of the selected cards CD1 to CD5 can be extremely reduced, so that the number of operations of the mouse 20 by the operator can be reduced. Further, the printer driver 53 is excellent in usability.

Further, in the above embodiment, when displaying the “basic setting” card CD 3 on the CRT display 12,
The data input on the "manual setting" detailed input screen which can be opened from the "basic setting" card CD3 can be displayed. For this reason, when data is input from the card “CD3” of “basic setting”, the operator opens the detailed input screen of a plurality of pieces of information input from the detailed input screen of “manual setting” opened from the card. You can know without anything. As a result, the number of times of switching between the card CD3 of the “basic setting” and the detailed input screen can be extremely reduced, so that the number of times the operator operates the mouse 20 for switching the display screen can also be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the data of "paper size" and "print direction" set from the card CD4 of "paper setting" are displayed on the card CD3 of "basic setting". Alternatively, the “details” card CD2 or the “utilities” card CD3
Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which data set from is displayed. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which data set by a plurality of cards such as the card CD4 of “paper setting” and the card CD2 of “details” are displayed.

In the above embodiment, the "paper size"
The display areas E41 and E42 indicating the “print direction” merely display data values. Instead, the display areas E41 and E42 display a “paper setting” card CD.
4 may have the function of a switch for switching the display. According to this configuration, the “basic setting” card C
After displaying the data input from the “paper setting” card CD4 other than D3, if the user wants to further change the value of the input data, by clicking on the display area, the “paper setting” card is displayed. CD4 can be opened immediately. Therefore, this printer driver is more convenient to use.

In the above-described embodiment, as described above, the various data d is set in step S330 of the card display routine.
The card CD3 of "basic setting" is displayed by adding 1 to dn to the display image memory. In detail, the display around the slide lever-shaped button E13 is particularly as follows. This is realized by executing processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of step S330 in detail. As shown, when the process proceeds to step S330, the CPU 30 first executes the process of step S400 in the middle of the processing routine. In step S400, it is determined whether or not the mode setting data d10 indicating which of the “recommended setting” and “detailed setting” modes has been selected is a value 1 indicating that the “recommended setting” mode has been selected. Determine. Here, if it is determined that the mode is not the value 1, that is, the mode is not the “recommended setting” mode, the process proceeds to “return”, and the process of step S330 ends.

On the other hand, in step S400, the value 1, that is,
If it is determined that the mode is the “recommended setting” mode, a predetermined area of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 is displayed so that a black circle is displayed in the area of the button E11 as shown in FIG. A process of adding data indicating a black circle is performed (step S410). Next, the CPU 30 determines which value is the paper type data d11 indicating “paper type” (step S420). Here, if it is determined that the paper type data d11 has the value 1 indicating “plain paper”, the process proceeds to step S430.

In step S430, as shown in FIG. 17, the word "beautiful" is displayed in the left display column E14L of the slide lever indicated by the button E13 in the right display column E14L.
The character data is added to a predetermined area of the display image data in the display image memory 33 so that the character "Fast" is displayed.

The characters “pretty” and “fast” are
This is selected from a plurality of parameter values (the above-described parameter values indicating the degree of print quality in a stepwise manner) stored in a print quality table stored in the ROM 31 in advance.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the print quality table TBL2 as the first storage unit and the second storage unit. As shown in FIG. 18, the print quality table TBL is
As parameter values that indicate the degree of print quality step by step,
Four parameters such as "Better", "Pretty", "Standard", and "Fast" are prepared, and the printing resolution, microweave status, and halftone status are recorded in a table format for each parameter value. . As the character strings displayed in the display fields E13L and E13R on the left and right sides of the slide lever, when the paper type is “plain paper”, the above “more beautiful”, “clean”, “standard”, and “fast” "Pretty" and "Fast" are selected from the four parameter values.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S420 that the paper type data d11 is the value 2 indicating “super fine exclusive paper” or the value 3 indicating “exclusive glossy paper”, the process proceeds to FIG. 19 and FIG. As shown, button E13
The character data is added to the display image data in the display image memory 33 so that the character "Better" is displayed in the left display column E13L of the slide lever and the character "Standard" is displayed in the right display column E14L. (Step S44
0).

The characters "better" and "standard" are selected from a plurality of parameter values indicating the degree of print quality stored in the print quality table TBL2, and the paper type is "Superfine only". In the case of "paper" or "special glossy paper", "cleaner" and "standard" are selected from the above four parameter values of "cleaner", "clean", "standard", and "fast".

Step S430 or step S440
Is completed, the character string indicating the paper type is displayed in the data input field E2 of "paper type".
The paper type data d11 is added to a predetermined area of the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 (Step S)
450). Subsequently, the image part data based on the quality degree data d12 (the image part representing the lever part) is displayed such that the lever portion of the slide lever of the button E13 is displayed at a position based on the quality degree data d12 representing the quality of printing. Is added to a predetermined area of the display image data (step S460). Thereafter, the process proceeds to “return”, and the process of step S330 ends.

In the above embodiment, as described above,
Various data are input in step S210 of the routine for performing the basic setting mode.
The data input of the slide lever type button E13 is realized by executing the following processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a part of step S210 in detail. As shown, when the process proceeds to step S210, the CPU 30 first executes the process of step S500 in the middle of the processing routine. In step S500, it is determined whether or not the operator has performed a drag operation with the mouse 20 on the slide lever of the button E13. If it is determined that the drag operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to “return”, and the process of step S210 ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S500 that the drag operation has been performed, the flow advances to step S510.
The position information of the slide lever determined by the drag operation is read (step S510). Next, the parameter value corresponding to the character display on the position side indicated by the read position information (character display such as “cleaner”, “clean”, “standard”, “fast”) is changed to a selected parameter value selected by the operator. (Step S
520). Thereafter, by using the selected parameter value as a search key and comparing it with the print quality table TBL2, quality information corresponding to the selected parameter value is obtained (step S530). For example, when “beautiful” is selected as the selected parameter value, the parameter value of “beautiful” is compared with the leftmost column of the print quality table TBL2 shown in FIG. That is, the output resolution of “720 × 720”,
"Microweave" is on, and "high image quality halftone" can be obtained.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to "return", and the process of step S210 ends. The quality information obtained in step S530 is stored in a predetermined position on the RAM 32 in step S220 described above.

According to the processing routine shown in FIG. 16 having the above configuration, a character string as an option is displayed on both sides of the slide lever button E13 on the card CD3 of "basic setting". This character string has different contents depending on the type of paper. If the paper type is "plain paper",
“Pretty” and “Fast” are displayed, and if the paper type is “Super Fine exclusive paper” or “Exclusive glossy paper”, “Better” and “Standard” are displayed.
Further, according to the processing routine shown in FIG. 21 having the above configuration, the designated position of the slide lever-shaped button E13 dragged by the operator is read, and a parameter value is selected from that position, and the parameter value is selected according to the selected parameter value. Quality information is required.

Therefore, even if the operator does not have detailed knowledge of the print quality information, the operator can only roughly input the parameter values such as "more beautiful" and "fine" indicating the degree of the print quality step by step. The user can select the degree of printing quality suitable for the type of paper.

For this reason, this computer system
Anyone can input the print quality information. Further, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to input data for many items, so that the labor for data input can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, one of the “basic settings” is set.
A configuration in which a data input field E2 for inputting a paper type and a button E13 for inputting a degree of print quality are provided on a single card CD3, and various quality information can be set only by inputting both of them. It has become. Therefore, the operability of data input by the operator is excellent, and furthermore,
The work effort for data entry can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the paper type setting means is configured to accept the key input by the operator and set the paper type. However, instead of this, the signal sent from the external computer, Then, a configuration may be adopted in which a signal indicating the paper type is input.

Further, the above embodiment is applied to a computer system in which the printer 14 is directly connected to the local computer 10 by a cable. Alternatively, a plurality of printers connected to a server on the LAN may be connected. The present invention may be applied to a computer system shared by computers. Alternatively, the printer connected to the server connected to the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by a computer main body 16 to printing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a dialog box DB1 of “property” for setting various information about a printer.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “basic setting” card is opened.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB2 in which a “manual setting” card is opened.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “paper setting” card is opened.

FIG. 8 shows a case where “normal” is set and “centering”
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printable area when “” is set.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another state of the dialog box DB1 in which a “paper setting” card is opened.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of an information setting module 57 executed by a CPU 30.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing routine in a basic setting mode executed by a CPU 30;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a card display processing routine executed by a CPU 30;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by base image data DT.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a reference table TBL.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing how a reference table TBL is updated.

FIG. 16 is a step S33 of a card display processing routine;
7 is a flowchart showing a part of the process in detail.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display around a slide lever-shaped button E13 when “plain paper” is selected as the paper type.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a print quality table TBL2.

FIG. 19 shows the type of paper “Super Fine Exclusive Paper”
It is an explanatory view showing a screen display around a slide lever-shaped button E13 when is selected.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display around a slide lever button E13 when “special glossy paper” is selected as the paper type.

FIG. 21 is a step S of a processing routine in a basic setting mode;
3 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “properties” dialog box 900 displayed by a conventional printer driver.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 14 ... Printer 16 ... Computer body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk drive 24 ... Floppy disk drive 30 ... CPU 31 ... ROM 32 ... RAM 33 ... Display image memory 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard Interface 36 FDC 37 HDC 38 CRTC 39 Printer interface 40 I / O port 41 HDD 44 Modem 46 Public telephone line 48 Server 51 Application program 52 Video driver 53 Printer driver 54 Rasterizer 55 ... Color correction module 56 ... Halftone module 57 ... Information setting module

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printer control device for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer, wherein image data of an individual setting card is prepared for each set obtained by dividing the various information into a plurality of sets. A card image selecting means for selecting image data of one setting card from the image data of the plurality of setting cards in response to an external command; and a setting card selected by the card image selecting means. Display control means for displaying image data as display image data on a display screen of a display device; and display using image data of a setting card other than the setting card image data selected by the card image selecting means. A printer control device comprising: an information display adding unit that displays at least one of information set on a screen in a predetermined area of the display image data. 2. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the setting card selected by the card selecting means is image data of a setting card that defines information on basic settings related to print quality. The printer control device, wherein the image data of the other setting card is image data of a setting card that defines information on sheet settings relating to sheets. 3. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the setting card selected by the card selecting means includes a detailed input screen on which a plurality of pieces of information among the various kinds of information can be input. A printer control device, which is image data of a setting card having an open switch, and wherein the image data of the other setting card is image data of a setting card constituting the detailed input screen. 4. A printer control device for setting various types of quality information for determining the quality of printing by a printer as control quality information for controlling a printer, wherein a plurality of parameter values indicating a degree of the quality of printing are set in stages. And a plurality of quality information sets, each of which is set in association with each parameter value stored in the first storage means and determines the degree of print quality indicated by each parameter value. A second storage unit for storing a value, and an operation performed by an operator using the printer, wherein the degree of print quality desired by the operator is determined by a parameter from a plurality of parameter values stored in the first storage unit. Quality specifying means for specifying by selecting a value, and referring to the contents of the second storage means with the parameter value selected by the quality specifying means. By causing Awa, and obtains the quality information corresponding to the parameter values, and quality information setting means for the quality information and the control quality information, a plurality parameter values selectable in the quality designation means,
A quality specification range limiting unit that limits a plurality of parameter values among a plurality of parameter values stored in the first storage unit; a paper type setting unit that sets a type of paper used in the printer; A printer control device comprising: a limited range changing unit configured to change the plurality of parameter values limited by the designated range limiting unit in accordance with the type of paper set by the paper type setting unit. 5. The printer control device according to claim 4, wherein the quality specifying means converts the image data of the image prompting the operator to perform an input operation for specifying a degree of the print quality by using a quality specifying image. Display control means for displaying the data on a display screen of a display device, and data input means for inputting data according to an image on the display screen in accordance with an operation of the operator, wherein the quality designation range limiting means comprises: A printer control apparatus comprising: display image data setting means for setting image data for quality specification to image data representing an image which is an option by the quality specification means using only the predetermined plurality of parameter values. 6. The printer control device according to claim 4, wherein the paper type setting means displays image data of an image prompting an operator to perform an input operation for setting the type of the paper on the display device. A printer control device comprising a paper type setting display control means for displaying the quality specifying image data on a screen together with the quality specifying image data. 7. A printer control method for setting various types of information for printing in a predetermined printer, comprising: (a) an image of a setting card for each set obtained by dividing the various types of information into a plurality of sets; Preparing data, and selecting image data of one setting card from the image data of the plurality of setting cards in response to an external command; and (b) setting selected in the step (a). Displaying the image data of the setting card on the display screen of the display device as display image data; and (c) displaying the image data of the setting card other than the image data of the setting card selected in step (a). Displaying at least one of information set on the used display screen in a predetermined area of the display image data. 8. A printer control method for setting, as control quality information for controlling a printer, various kinds of quality information for determining the quality of printing by a printer, comprising: (a) a plurality of steps indicating a degree of the printing quality stepwise; And (b) storing a plurality of values of the quality information which are set in association with each of the stored parameter values and which respectively determine the degree of print quality indicated by each parameter value. (C) receiving an operation by an operator using the printer, and determining a degree of the print quality desired by the operator;
(D) comparing the parameter value selected in the step (c) with the contents stored in the step (b), wherein the parameter value is specified by selecting one parameter value from the plurality of stored parameter values. (E) obtaining the quality information corresponding to the parameter value and setting the quality information as the control quality information; and (e) selecting a plurality of parameter values selectable in the step (c). (A) limiting a plurality of parameter values to a predetermined plurality of parameter values stored in (a), (f) setting a type of paper used in the printer, and (g) performing step (e). Changing the limited plurality of parameter values according to the type of paper set in the step (f). 9. A recording medium on which a computer program for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printer is recorded. (A) Each of the sets obtained by dividing the various information into a plurality of sets Preparing the setting card image data, and selecting the image data of one setting card from the image data of the plurality of setting cards in response to an external command; and (b) the step (a). And (c) displaying image data of the setting card selected in step (a) on the display screen of the display device as display image data. Displaying at least one piece of information set on the display screen using the image data of the display card in a predetermined area of the display image data. Recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. 10. A recording medium recording a computer program for setting various types of quality information for determining the quality of printing by a printer as control quality information for controlling a printer, wherein: (a) the quality of printing; (B) storing a plurality of parameter values that indicate the degree of the printing step by step; and (b) determining the degree of printing quality that is set in association with each of the stored parameter values and that is indicated by each parameter value. Storing a plurality of the values of the quality information; and (c) receiving an operation by an operator using the printer to determine a degree of the print quality desired by the operator.
(D) comparing the parameter value selected in the step (c) with the contents stored in the step (b), wherein the parameter value is specified by selecting one parameter value from the plurality of stored parameter values. (E) obtaining the quality information corresponding to the parameter value and setting the quality information as the control quality information; and (e) selecting a plurality of parameter values selectable in the step (c). (A) limiting a plurality of parameter values to a predetermined plurality of parameter values stored in (a), (f) setting a type of paper used in the printer, and (g) performing step (e). Changing the limited plurality of parameter values in accordance with the type of paper set in the step (f). Recording medium on which is recorded.