JP2001043051A - Information processor, control method thereof, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a user of a setting content change related to printing by notifying the user that the content of selected setting information is changed when parameters about an item is changed after the setting execution about an item related to printing. SOLUTION: When setting related to registration is completed and an 'OK' button is clicked with a mouse, etc., the information is additionally registered in a prescribed area in an external memory 11, and when a pull-down display is performed with a 'favorite (F)' combo-box in a print parameter setting window, the registered setting information name is shown together with a set icon. One is selected in the registered setting information group, a parameter is set, subsequently, even one among them is changed, when the one becomes different from registered contents, a specified mark is shown at the left side of a left icon of the setting information name shown in the 'favorite (F)' combo- box. Thus, the mark showing that the selected registered setting is changed is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for outputting print data to a printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printing apparatuses have become faster and more versatile. For this reason, for example, when printing is performed on a general-purpose information processing device such as a personal computer, there are a large number of items that can be set for printing at the time, and conversely, the number of items is large enough for the operator. It was often confusing.

[0003]

For this reason, it is desirable that the setting contents having relatively high frequency can be set at once for a plurality of printing items by one operation.

[0004] Information in which parameters for a plurality of items related to printing are grouped is registered or stored, a list of the information is displayed, and the operator is allowed to select one of them, thereby setting the plurality of items. That is.

[0005] However, this is a case in which the setting for each item relating to printing is performed with the registered contents, and thereafter,
When some parameters are changed, there is a concern that the changed contents may be erroneously determined to be registered contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a storage medium capable of notifying the user of a change in the contents of printing.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, for example, an information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the information processing apparatus outputs data to be printed instructed from the host process as print data suitable for the connected printing apparatus.

Display means for displaying a setting screen having a plurality of items relating to printing and a parameter input area for each item, and parameters input for each item displayed on the display means as one set of information Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of information, a selection means for displaying a list of setting information stored in the storage means and selecting desired setting information, and when the setting information is selected by the selection means, the setting information Setting means for setting the parameters of the plurality of items according to the following. If the parameters for at least one item are changed after the setting of the items related to printing is performed by the setting means, the selection means selects And a notifying unit for notifying that the setting information is different from the content of the setting information.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer system according to the embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system including a plurality of devices can be connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which the processing is performed.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a program processing ROM in the ROM 3 or a document processing program stored in the external memory 11. A CPU 1 for executing document processing;
The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to. The program ROM or the external memory 11 of the ROM 3 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 1, and the like. The font ROM or the external memory 11 of the ROM 3 stores Font data and the like to be used are stored, and various data used when performing the above-described document processing and the like are stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which is a hard disk (HD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter, printer driver), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) to control access to the external memory 11.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC)
Then, it is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. Note that CP
U1 is, for example, a display information RAM set on RAM2
The rasterization process of the outline font on the CRT 10 is performed to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When performing printing, the user opens a window related to print settings, and can set a printer and a print processing method for a printer driver including selection of a print mode.

On the other hand, in the printer 1500, a printer CPU 12 is a system bus 1 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14.
An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to the printer unit 5. This ROM 1
The third program ROM stores a control program for the CPU 12 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. If the printer has no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the ROM 13 is used on the host computer. Information to be stored.
The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) and an IC card described above is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes an operation panel described above, and switches for operation and an LCD for displaying various messages and the like.
An indicator and the like are provided. The number of the external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages having different language systems can be connected. It may be configured. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) is provided.
The printer mode setting information from No. 1 may be stored.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a typical printing process in a host computer to which a printing device such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network. The application 201, the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203, and the system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11, and when executed, are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the OS or a module using the module. It is a program module. Further, the application 201 and the printer driver 203
It can be added to the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or the HD of the external disk 11 via a network (not shown). External memory 1
Application 201 stored in RAM 2
Is loaded and executed, but this application 2
01 to the printer 1500,
Similarly, output (drawing) is performed using the graphic engine 202 which is loaded into the RAM 2 and is executable. The graphic engine 202 also stores a printer driver 203 prepared for each printing device in the external memory 11.
From the application 210, and converts the output of the application 210 into a printer control command using the printer driver 203. The converted printer control command is sent to the printer 15 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.
00 is output.

FIG. 2 shows a user interface (window) displayed when an operator of the host computer operates an application and instructs printing in the application. The user interface forms a part of the printer driver.

As shown in the figure, at the top of the window, general setting items (tabs) such as “General”, “Details”, “Shared”, etc. are provided. Is displayed on the screen. The reason why there are multiple items is that there are a large number of items that can be set, and displaying them all at once may cause confusion. Because there is.

The point to be noted in the state shown in the drawing is that when the combo box “Favorites (F)” is displayed in a pull-down manner with a mouse or the like, the setting information in which the contents set for various items related to printing are collectively saved. A name is displayed, and a desired one of the names can be selected. However, “standard setting” indicates default setting information.

When one of the setting information names is selected, the parameters for all the setting items can be set at once according to the contents of the selected setting information. Therefore, if a frequently used item is registered, the setting operation is performed by one instruction.

Further, the registration of new setting contents can be realized by clicking "Add (D)" in the figure with a mouse or the like. At this time, a new window shown in the lower part of the figure is displayed on the near side, and a parameter group set for various items in a state immediately before clicking “Add (D)” can be registered as one setting information.

At the time of registration, the name of the setting information to be registered is input from a keyboard or the like, and an image symbol (icon) corresponding to the setting information is indicated by “icon” in the figure.
(I) ". It is also possible to add a comment. This comment is displayed, for example, in the combo box at the top of FIG. 3 selected at that time and is displayed when the cursor is moved to the position of the setting information name. To inform.

In this way, the setting for registration is completed,
When the "OK" button is clicked with a mouse or the like, the information is additionally registered in a predetermined area in the external memory 11, and is displayed in a pull-down list in the "favorite (F)" combo box in the print parameter setting window in FIG. Then, the registered setting information name is displayed together with the set icon.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which at least one of the displayed parameters has been changed after selecting the desired setting information in FIG.

In the case shown, the setting information name "standard setting"
Is an example in which any item has been changed by selecting. As shown in the figure, one of the registered setting information groups is selected, parameters are set, and even one of them is changed. If the content is different from the registered content, "favorite (F)" is displayed.
A specific mark (a mark imitating a pencil in the embodiment) is displayed on the left side of the icon on the left side of the setting information name displayed in the combo box. Hereinafter, this mark is referred to as a custom mark. This custom mark is also displayed when a parameter set by selecting other setting information is changed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a memory block for holding setting information relating to printing. Hereinafter, this memory block is called Devmode. Devmode is an operating system, application,
Further, the memory block is a memory block commonly used by the printer driver, and includes a Public area which is an area which can be referred to by the OS, the application, and the printer driver, and a Private area which is referred to only by the printer driver. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the Private area includes an area Name for storing the name of the setting information regarding printing.
It is assumed that there is an area called StatusFlag that holds a status flag. The Devmode is passed from the application to the printer driver via the OS, and the setting made by the user on the user interface of the printer driver is retained. When the application prints, the Devmode passes the Devmode to the printer driver via the OS, and the printer driver performs the printing process according to the setting.

FIG. 6 is a diagram simply illustrating the processing mode of the GUI system provided by the OS according to the present embodiment. The GUI system consists of basic GUs such as buttons and list boxes.
I-controls are provided, and the user interface of the printer driver utilizes the controls provided by those GUI systems. When a user operates a control on the user interface, the GUI system passes a message according to the operation to a message processing program of the printer driver. The message processing program of the printer driver performs necessary processing according to the message, returns a processing result to the system, and returns control to the OS. In the present embodiment, a user interface of the printer driver is provided by such processing.

Hereinafter, the processing of the user interface of the printer driver in the host computer will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the user selects “favorite (F)”.
This is a process when an arbitrary setting is selected from a list of registered settings in the combo box.

First, the setting is read from the storage location where the selected registered setting is stored (step S71).
0). Then, apply the loaded settings to the current settings
(Step S720). As a result, the current print settings are
It will be the same as the selected registered setting. Thereafter, in order to make the settings on the user interface the same as the current print settings, a request to redraw the screen is made (step S730).
When a request to redraw the screen is made, the GUI system passes the screen drawing request message to the message processing program of the printer driver and calls it.

FIG. 8 shows a process when the user registers the current settings. Devmode S holding the current settings
Set tatusFlag to NO_CANGE (step S80)
2). After that, the Devmode (current setting) is saved (registered) (step S803).

FIG. 9 shows the processing when the user changes the current setting. When the user operates the controls on the user interface to change the current settings,
The command message corresponding to the operation is passed from the GUI system, so the current setting contents according to the message
(DEVMODE) is updated (step S910). If the setting has been changed (step S920), the StatusF of Devmode
The lag is set to CHANGED (step S930). afterwards,
A request to redraw the screen is made to display the custom mark (step S940).

FIG. 10 shows processing when a drawing request message is received from the GUI system.

First, processing other than the custom mark is performed.
(Step S1010). Devmode's StatusFlag is CHAGED
In the case of (step S1020), a custom mark is drawn.

With the above processing, when the user selects an arbitrary setting from the registered setting list, the Devmod
Since the StatusFlag of e is set to NO_CHANGE, no custom mark is displayed and after changing any settings,
Because the StatusFlag of Devmode is set to CHAGED,
The custom mark is displayed.

Note that the operator finally gives a print start instruction. In this case, a control command is generated according to the parameters of the setting items at that time, and the control command is included in the print data and output to the printer. Processing will be performed.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or may be applied to an apparatus composed of one device. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or an apparatus that reads out a program code stored in a recording medium, in which the program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is stored. , Is also achieved by performing.

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

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part 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 to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
A system including an information processing device such as a personal computer and a printing device such as a printer, having several setting items related to printing, and further, any setting state can be registered with a name, and the name can be registered. A system that has the function of selecting the setting from the registered settings and making it the same setting state as the registered setting, and selecting any setting from the settings registered with the above name and selecting the registered After the setting has been changed to the same state as the settings already set, there is a means to display a mark indicating that the setting has been changed from the selected registered setting when any setting item is changed. When a registered setting that is partially different from the current setting is displayed, a specific mark is displayed, and the user can select a registered setting that is partially different from the current setting. Rukoto to can easily grasp, thereby improving convenience for setting about the user's output.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, when setting information relating to registered printing is changed, it is possible to notify the user of the change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a print data generation process performed by a host computer.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a print setting display screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen when a part of print settings is changed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure for storing print settings.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram relating to message processing of the GUI system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process when an arbitrary setting is selected from a registered setting list.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for registering settings.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when a user changes a setting.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a drawing process of a user interface.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for outputting data to be printed instructed from a host process as print data suitable for a connected printing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of items related to printing and a parameter for each item. Display means for displaying a setting screen having an input area; storage means for storing a plurality of parameters input for each item displayed on the display means as one setting information; Selecting means for displaying a list of setting information and selecting desired setting information; and setting means for setting parameters of the plurality of items according to the setting information when setting information is selected by the selecting means. If the parameter for at least one item is changed after the setting of the item related to printing is performed by the setting unit, the parameter is selected by the selection unit. The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising an informing means for informing different from the content of the setting information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means includes means for displaying a list of names of setting information stored in said storage means. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said notifying means includes means for displaying a predetermined mark near a name of the setting information being selected. 4. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus for outputting data to be printed instructed from a host process into print data suitable for a connected printing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of items related to printing; A display step of displaying a setting screen having a parameter input area for the parameter, a parameter input for each item displayed in the display step as one set of information, and a plurality of the set information stored in predetermined storage means. A management step of storing and managing, a selection step of displaying a list of setting information managed in the management step, and selecting desired setting information; and, when setting information is selected in the selection step, the setting information Therefore, after the setting step of setting the parameters of the plurality of items and the setting of the items related to printing in the setting step, the parameters of at least one item are set. If the data is changed, the control method for an information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification step of notifying different from the content of the setting information selected by the selecting step. 5. A storage medium for storing a program code of a printer driver for generating print data suitable for a printing apparatus in accordance with data to be printed instructed from a higher-level device, comprising: a plurality of items related to printing; A display step of displaying a setting screen having a parameter input area for each item; a parameter input for each item displayed in the display step as one set of information, and the set information is stored in predetermined storage means. A management step of storing and managing a plurality of pieces of information, a selection step of displaying a list of setting information managed in the management step and selecting desired setting information, and a setting step when setting information is selected by the selection step. A setting step of setting parameters of the plurality of items in accordance with information; and at least one setting after setting of items related to printing in the setting step. If the parameter of the items is changed, the storage medium characterized by storing a program code that acts as notifying step of notifying different from the content of the setting information said selected in the selection step.