JP2001075762A - Setting selection device for printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer driver setting selection device for automatically setting up an optimum environment in a printer driver as to a printer driver setting selection device for selecting the set contents of a printer driver in a printing system consisting of host equipment and a printer. SOLUTION: As to the printer driver setting selection device in the printing system for receiving printing data from the host equipment and executing printing processing by the printer device, the set contents of the printer driver 11a are automatically set up, the driver 11a is automatically set up in accordance with the set frequency of the driver 11a in a certain application e.g. or the driver 11a is set up in accordance with the final setting of the driver 11a in a certain application or in accordance with the recommended setting of the driver 11a in a certain application and the set contents of the driver 11a are automatically determined without forcing a user to execute complicated setting processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver in a printing system including a host device and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many types of printers are used in a printing system that is connected to a host device such as a personal computer and prints print data created by the host device using a printer. Many applications such as word processing software and spreadsheet software are also used for print data created by the host device.

For this reason, various environment settings are also made for a printer driver that converts print data created based on an application into an intermediate code. For example,
The printer driver under the Windows environment has a large number of configuration variations to accommodate many applications on the market and any document content created using them, and also to suit individual user preferences. have.

[0004] For example, paper information for specifying a paper size and a paper feeding port, form information for giving an instruction such as form overlay, print information for specifying a resolution and the like, color information for color adjustment such as color matching, etc. It is necessary to set a lot of environmental information.

[0005]

However, the environment setting of the conventional printer driver requires the user to perform complicated settings or separate settings for each printed material.
For this reason, it is desired that the optimum setting can be performed based on a standard on the printer driver side. However, the optimum is not uniquely determined, and depending on the application, the content of the document, and the user's preference, the printing may not be the optimum setting determined by the printer driver as a result.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optimal environment setting is automatically performed for a printer driver.
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver setting selection device that reduces the burden on the user.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein the printer driver selects a setting content of the printer driver of the host device. In the setting selection device, storage means for storing the recommended setting contents of the printer driver or user setting contents for each application, obtaining means for obtaining application information used for creating print data, and searching the storage means When the application information acquired by the acquisition means is stored in the storage means, a setting means for setting the setting contents corresponding to the application in the printer driver is provided by providing a printer driver setting selection device. Can be achieved.

Here, the application is a tool for creating print data used by the user in the host device, such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a DTP. The printer driver is a program in which different settings are made for each application, and includes various setting contents such as paper information, form information, print mode information, font information, and the like.

The storage means stores the recommended setting contents of the printer driver or the setting contents of the user for each application, so that the optimum setting can be performed according to the application. When the acquisition unit acquires the information of the application that created the print data, the information of the registered optimal setting content is read from the storage unit, and set in the printer driver by the setting unit.

With this configuration, the setting contents recommended by the application supply destination or the setting contents set by the user can be set in the printer driver, and the user is conscious of complicated printer driver settings. Printer driver settings can be made automatically without the need.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver of the host device includes an application A storage unit for storing the final use setting contents of the printer driver for each application, an obtaining unit for obtaining application information used for creating print data, and an application obtained by searching the storage unit and storing the obtained application unit in the storage unit This can be achieved by providing a printer driver setting selection device having setting means for setting the setting contents corresponding to the application in the printer driver when the information is stored.

This embodiment is different in that the contents stored in the storage means are the final use setting contents of the printer driver which are different for each application. That is, the storage unit stores the final setting contents of the printer driver for each application, and when the obtaining unit obtains the information of the application that created the print data, the information of the final setting content of the corresponding application is read from the storage unit. And is set in the printer driver by the setting means.

[0013] With this configuration, the final setting contents automatically become the setting contents of the printer driver for each application, and the user automatically sets the printer driver without being conscious of complicated printer driver settings. be able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein the printer driver setting selecting device for selecting the setting content of the printer driver of the host device comprises an application Storage means for storing the most frequently set contents of the printer driver, acquisition means for acquiring the application information used for creating the print data, and search for the storage means, and This can be achieved by providing a printer driver setting selection device having setting means for setting the most frequent setting contents corresponding to the application in the printer driver when application information is stored.

This embodiment is different in that the contents stored in the storage means are the most frequently set contents of the printer driver which differs for each application. In other words, the setting content of the most frequently used printer driver is stored in the storage means for each application, and when the obtaining means obtains the application information, the information of the most frequently used setting content of the corresponding application is stored in the storage means. It is read and set in the printer driver by the setting means.

With this configuration, the most frequently used setting contents are automatically set in the printer driver for each application, so that a printer driver optimum for the application can be set.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver of the host device includes an application A storage unit that stores the most frequently set contents of the printer driver for each fixed period, an obtaining unit that obtains application information used for creating print data, and a search unit that searches the storage unit. When the acquired application information is stored, the setting can be attained by providing a printer driver setting / selecting device having setting means for setting the setting content of the most frequent period corresponding to the application in the printer driver.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the contents stored in the storage means are stored in the setting of the printer driver which differs for each application, and the past setting history and the setting frequency are stored for each application. That is, the storage unit stores the most frequently used printer driver based on the setting history of a certain period for each application, and when the obtaining unit obtains the application information, the setting content of the most frequently used application of the corresponding application is stored from the storage unit. Is read and set in the printer driver by the setting means.

With this configuration, the setting content of the most frequently used frequency within a certain period is set in the corresponding application, and for example, the printer driver can be set to the setting content according to the latest setting information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein the printer driver setting selecting device for selecting the setting content of the printer driver of the host device includes an application Storing means for storing a plurality of setting methods for setting printer drivers, including information, obtaining means for obtaining application information used for creating print data, and searching for the storing means, When the application information acquired by the acquisition unit is stored in the printer driver setting unit, the setting method for setting the printer driver by the setting method corresponding to the application is provided. .

In this example, the setting method of the setting contents is selected in the setting of the printer driver in which the contents stored in the storage means are different for each application. For example, the recommended setting, the final setting, the most frequent setting, the fixed period This is a configuration for selecting a setting method such as the most frequent setting. That is, the storage means stores the various setting methods described above, selects one of the setting methods depending on the application to be used, and determines the setting contents of the printer driver according to the selected setting method.

With this configuration, the user can determine the setting contents by the setting method of the printer driver corresponding to the application, and can set the printer driver more effectively.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the setting means measures a printing time when a corresponding setting method is used, and displays the measurement result.

With this configuration, for example, in an application that allows a plurality of setting methods, the setting method with the shortest printing time can be selected from the measurement result of the printing time, and the printing quality is shorter than the printing time. Can be performed in consideration of the above.

Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to set a wider printer driver. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the setting means measures a print time when a corresponding setting method is used, and sets the shortest print time to the printer driver. It is a configuration to do.

In this embodiment, a method for setting the shortest printing time obtained as a result of measuring the printing time is selected and set in the printer driver. With this configuration,
The setting content of the shortest printing time is automatically set in the printer driver, and the setting process of the printer driver can be performed extremely easily.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print system to which the present invention is applied. In this figure, the present system is composed of a host computer 1 and a printer device 2,
The host computer 1 and the printer device 2 are connected via a Centronics interface.

The host computer 1 has a processor 3,
Window operation system (hereinafter simply referred to as O
S) 4, a ROM 5, a RAM 6, a media drive 7, a display device 8, a keyboard 9, a mouse control unit 10, a memory 11, and a printer interface (hereinafter, referred to as a printer I / F) 12a. The memory 11 has a storage area for a printer driver 11a and an application 11b.

The processor 3 is a central processing unit of the host computer 1 and controls the computer according to a program stored in the ROM 5. The OS 4 is a program for driving a predetermined operation system. The processor 3 executes a printing process according to the program stored in the ROM 5 and the program stored in the OS 4.

The media drive 7 is a drive for reading data by mounting a floppy disk (FD) or CDROM, and has, for example, a plurality of drives. The display device 8 includes a CRT display and a liquid crystal display, and displays data described later. In addition, key input by the operator is performed from the keyboard 9, and an operation signal by a mouse operation (not shown) is input to the mouse control unit 10.

The printer driver 11a has a function of converting print data created by the host computer 1 into an intermediate code corresponding to the printer device 2 to be connected. The application 11b is a program installed by the user in advance, and various application programs such as word processing software and spreadsheet software are installed.

The print data to be sent to the printer device 2 is created by reading the application 11b stored in the memory 11 and executing the application by the processor 3. For example, in the case of word processing software, the word processing software is read from the memory 11 and the processor 3 executes the application to create print data. This print data is converted into an intermediate code by the printer driver 11a,
The data is sent to the printer device 2 via the printer I / F 12a.

On the other hand, the printer device 2 comprises an interface controller (hereinafter referred to as an I / F controller) 13a and an engine unit 13b as shown in FIG.
The I / F controller 13a includes a personal computer interface (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer I / F) 12b, a CPU 1
4, a ROM 15, a RAM 16, a panel controller 17, a buffer 18, an analyzer 19, a drawing data processor 20, an image memory 21, and a video controller 22. The engine unit 13b includes an engine controller 23, a print head 24, an image forming unit 25, and a paper feeding mechanism 26.

When the printer 2 of this embodiment is a color printer, the image memory 21 has memory areas corresponding to, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Is formed.

The CPU 14 inputs print data supplied from the host device 1 through the personal computer I / F 12b,
The processing is performed according to the program stored in the ROM 15. That is, the print data input via the personal computer I / F 12b is stored in the buffer 18, and this processing is continued until print data of a predetermined page is input. And
When print data of a predetermined page is stored in the buffer 18,
The PU 14 performs an analysis process. This analysis process analyzes commands included in the print data, for example, reads out corresponding character pattern data from a CG (character generator) (not shown) for a character code, and executes a corresponding command process for a control command. I do. This process
It is executed according to the program stored in the ROM 15 as described above. The work area of the RAM 16 is used as an analysis result storage area and the like.

Next, the data subjected to the analysis processing by the analysis unit 19 is subjected to data processing by the image data processing unit 20, and is developed in the image memory 21. At this time, in the case of a color printer as described above, data of each color is developed in the corresponding yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) storage areas. That is, yellow (Y) bitmap data is developed in the yellow (Y) storage area, magenta (M) bitmap data is developed in the magenta (M) storage area, and cyan (C) storage is performed. Cyan (C) bitmap data is developed in the area, and black (K) bitmap data is developed in the black (BK) storage area.

The data developed in each of the storage areas is
It is sent to the engine unit 13 under the control of the video control unit 22 and is input to the engine controller 13. The engine controller 13 drives the print head 24 in accordance with the supplied data, and performs printing on the paper fed by the paper transport mechanism 26. At this time, the image forming unit 25 performs a transfer process for each color according to the supplied data, and creates a color image by, for example, a fixing process.

Note that sheets of different sizes are stored in a three-stage sheet cassette shown in the sheet transport mechanism 26. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a system diagram for explaining processing in the host device 1. OS 4 and printer driver 11 described with reference to FIG.
The relationship between a and the application 11b is as shown in FIG. That is, the OS 4 operates as the printer driver 11a.
The OS 4 receives information on the application name from the application 11b to be used. All the printer drivers that may be connected to the application 11b are registered, and the OS 4 reads out the corresponding printer driver from the memory 11 from the information of the application name and uses it.

When there is a printer driver that is not registered in the memory 11 in advance, the printer is supplied from a floppy disk or a CDROM via the above-mentioned media drive 7.

In this example, a recommended setting table for storing setting information of the printer device 2 recommended for each application is registered in advance. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the recommended setting table. For example, in the case of the application (APL1), the recommended setting content is the word processing setting “0”.
In this case, the application is, for example, word processing software, and the setting of “01” is particularly recommended among the settings of the word processing software.

In the case of the application (APL2), the recommended setting content is the spreadsheet setting "01". In this case, the application is spreadsheet software, and the setting "01" is recommended in the spreadsheet software setting. Indicates that Further, in the case of the application (APL3), D
This is a TP (DeskTop Publishing) (for example, data in which a figure or a photograph is put in a document), and particularly indicates that setting of “01” is recommended.

Here, the contents of environment setting for the printer driver of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The environment setting of the printer driver based on the difference between the applications and the user's request changes depending on paper information (Paper), form information, print mode information, font information, and color adjustment information for text, graphics, and images. For example, in the case of paper information (Paper), "PaperSour
"ce = auto" means that the paper supply port is automatically set. For example, when B5 size paper is used, the supply from the paper cassette on which B5 size paper is placed is automatically performed. “PaperSize = a4” indicates that the paper size is specified as A4.

For form information, refer to “FormOverlay
= no ”is a setting that does not perform form overlay processing. For print mode,“ Quality = 600dpi ”means 6
This is a print setting at a resolution of 00 DPI. Regarding font information, “TTCache = normal” indicates that cache processing is used for control processing. In addition, for color adjustment information for text, graphics, and images,
The content such as a color matching instruction is set.

The environment setting of the printer driver is set by the user while operating the keyboard 9 and a mouse (not shown). For example, FIGS. 5 to 9 are diagrams for explaining a method of setting the environment of the printer driver described above. FIG. 5 shows a setting screen of the simple slide bar. The user makes this display on the display device 8 and makes settings. However, in this example, this setting is automatically performed by a process described later,
The user performs the display shown in FIG. 5 on the display device 8 and checks each content.

FIG. 6 shows setting contents related to paper.
Items such as the presence or absence of automatic paper feeding and the setting of the paper size are also set. In this case, the recommended setting and the most frequent setting are automatically performed by the processing described later, and the user checks each content. Further, FIG. 7 shows the setting of the resolution and the image mode, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show the setting of the color adjustment mode. In both cases, the recommended setting and the most frequent setting are automatically performed by the processing described later.

Next, the processing operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the processor 3 creates print data according to a program registered in the application 11b. For example, if the application 11b is a program having a word processing function, corresponding document data is created and used as print data. If the application 11b is a program having a spreadsheet function, a corresponding table is created and used as print data. Further, if the application 11b is a program having a DTP function, data in which a corresponding document includes a graphic, a photograph, or the like is used as print data.
At the time of creating the print data, the user operates the keyboard 9.
By operating a mouse (not shown), a key operation signal is supplied from the keyboard 9 to the processor 3, and a mouse operation signal is supplied to the processor 3 via the mouse operation unit 10. Create.

The above-described application may be executed according to a program written in a floppy disk (FD) or a CD-ROM mounted on the media drive 7.

The print data created as described above is
For example, it is stored in the work area of the RAM 6. At this time,
The application name data is also stored in the RAM 6.
Next, the processor 3 reads the printer driver 11a from the memory 11, and converts the above-described print data into an intermediate code corresponding to the connected printer. in this case,
The conversion process performed by the printer driver 11a includes many setting contents according to the application, and requires the user to select the setting contents.

In this example, the setting contents of the printer driver are set according to the recommended table shown in FIG. That is, the print data conversion process is performed according to the recommended contents set in the recommended table shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating this process. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given. Note that the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is also executed by a program included in the printer driver 11a of this example.

First, an application name is obtained (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). In this process, as described above, the data of the application name stored in the work area of the RAM 6 is read together with the print data, and the application name used to create the print data is obtained.

Next, the recommendation table shown in FIG. 3 is searched (S2). Here, if the application is, for example, an application (APL1) having a word processing function, this information is notified to the recommended setting table, and it is determined whether the application name matches (S3). Here, for example, if the corresponding application name is not registered (No in S3), the printer driver is set to a default state. That is, in this case, the current printer driver settings are used (S4), and printing is performed in this setting state (S5).

On the other hand, in the above judgment (S3), for example, when the corresponding application name is registered (S3 is Yes), the printer driver is set to the corresponding recommended setting contents (S6). For example, if the application name is a predetermined word processor software (APL1)
, The printer driver setting is set to the word processor setting “01” from the recommendation table shown in FIG. The application name is a predetermined spreadsheet software (APL
In the case of 2), similarly from the recommendation table shown in FIG.
The setting of the printer driver is set to the spreadsheet setting “01”.
Furthermore, if the application name is a predetermined DTP software
□ (APL3), the printer driver setting is similarly changed from the recommended table shown in FIG.
1 ".

The printer driver converts the print data into an intermediate code according to the contents set as described above, and outputs the intermediate code to the I / F controller 13a of the printer device 2.
In the I / F controller 13a, as described above, the ROM 1
The CPU 14 performs a printing process in accordance with the program stored in the storage device 5, first stores the print data sent from the host device 1 in the buffer 18, performs an analysis process by the analysis unit 19, and performs, for example, a bit process by the drawing data processing unit 20. The print data converted into the map data is developed in the image memory 21. Then, the engine controller 23
An image according to the print data is created on the recording paper in accordance with the control of (1).

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user performs a print start operation, the application name is obtained, the application name is collated with the recommended setting table for each application, and the printer driver is matched with the recommended setting contents. This is for setting and performing print processing.

With this configuration, the user can make print settings optimal for the application used to create the print data to the printer driver without hesitation, and perform print output most suitable for the application. be able to. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the settings recommended for each application are set in the printer driver according to the recommendation table shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the printer driver is set to the previously set contents for each application. Configuration. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a table used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, there is a table for registering the final setting contents for each application. This table registers the setting contents of the printer driver used before for each application, and particularly registers the setting contents of the final printer driver. For example, in the case of the application (APL1), the setting is “01”, which is the setting content of the printer driver when the application was last used.

In the case of the application (APL2), the setting is “02”, which is the setting content of the printer driver when the spreadsheet application was used last. Furthermore, in the case of the application (APL3),
The setting “03” is the setting content of the printer driver when the application of the DTP software is used last. Then, the processing of this example is performed in a state where the table having the above configuration is registered in advance, for example.

In this embodiment, the processing until the host computer 1 creates the print data is the same as described above.
The processor 3 creates print data according to a program registered in the application 11b. For example, if the application 11b is a program having a word processing function, document data is created. If the application 11b is a program having a spreadsheet function, a corresponding table is created. Create the entered data. As described above, the above-described application may be executed according to a program written in a floppy disk (FD) mounted on the media drive 7 or a CDROM.

The print data created as described above is
For example, it is stored in the work area of the RAM 6, and the data of the application name used in the same manner as described above is also stored in the same work area.

Next, the processor 3 reads out the printer driver 11a from the memory 11 and converts the print data into an intermediate code corresponding to the connected printer. In this case, the conversion process performed by the printer driver 11a includes many setting contents according to the application, and further requires the user to select the setting contents.

In this example, the printer driver is set according to the final setting table shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the setting process of this example. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is also executed by the program included in the printer driver 11a of this example.

First, an application name is obtained (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). In this process, as described above, the data of the application name stored in the work area of the RAM 6 is read together with the print data, and the application name used to create the print data is obtained.

Next, the final setting table shown in FIG. 12 is searched (ST2). Also in this case, if the application is an application having a word processing function, the final setting table is searched to determine whether the application name matches (ST3).

Here, for example, if the corresponding application name is not registered (ST3 is No (No)),
As described above, the printer driver is set to a default state. In this case, the final setting table shown in FIG. 11 is updated (ST5). That is, since the corresponding application is not registered in the final setting table shown in FIG. 11, setting of a new application is registered in the final setting table.

On the other hand, in the above judgment (ST3), if the corresponding application name is registered (ST3
Is Yes, the printer driver sets the final settings of the application (ST7). For example, if the application name is predetermined word processing software $ (APL1), the final setting "00" shown in FIG.
1 ". When the application name is predetermined spreadsheet software (APL2), the final setting is similarly set to “002” shown in FIG. Further, when the application name is predetermined DTP software □□□ (APL3), the final setting is similarly set to “003” shown in FIG.

According to the contents set as described above, the printer driver converts the print data into an intermediate code and outputs it to the I / F controller 2 of the printer. I /
As described above, in the F controller 2, the CPU 14 performs the printing process according to the program stored in the ROM 15, and performs printing on the recording paper under the control of the engine controller 23.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user performs a print start operation, the application name is obtained, collated with the final setting table for each application, and the printer name is added to the matched final setting contents. It is for setting the driver.

With this configuration, the user can easily set the printer driver, and can perform the printing process according to the finally set application. <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the printer driver is set for each application in accordance with the final setting table shown in FIG. 11, but in this embodiment, the user himself sets the printer driver in advance for each application. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

First, FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the setting processing performed by the user. The user operates the keyboard 9 and a mouse (not shown) to set the printer driver in advance. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the application name is acquired (step (hereinafter, referred to as W) 1)) and stored in, for example, a work area of the RAM 6. The setting data of the printer driver is also stored in the same work area. Next, the data set as described above is registered in the setting registration table (W2).

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a table in which data set by the user for each application as described above is registered. For example, in the case of the application (APL1), the setting is “R01” and the application (APL1)
In the case of 2), the setting is “R02”, and in the case of the application (APL3), the setting is “R03”.

After the above table is created as described above, the following processing is performed. In addition, the reason that the user himself creates the setting contents of the printer driver as described above is that, for example, the recommended contents specified by each supply destination may not be able to perform the printing he or she wants to create. Therefore, the user himself / herself sets the contents of the printer driver and performs printing intended by the user.

The specific processing of this example is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, after creating print data according to the application under the control of the processor 3, information on the application name and the print data are stored in the work area of the RAM 6. Next, an application name is obtained (step (hereinafter, referred to as STP))
1). This processing is performed together with the print data as described above.
The application name data stored in the work area of M6 is read to obtain the application name.

Next, a setting registration table created by the user shown in FIG. 14 is searched (STP2). In this case, for example, if the application is an application having a word processing function, it is determined whether the setting registration of the printer driver for the corresponding application is set. If the application is an application having a spreadsheet function, it is determined whether or not the setting registration of the printer driver for the corresponding spreadsheet software exists.

Here, if the corresponding application name is not registered (STP3 is No (No)), the printer driver is set to the current setting and the printing process is performed (STP4, STP6) as described above.

On the other hand, in the above judgment (STP3),
If the corresponding application name is registered (S
If TP3 is Yes, the printer driver is set to the corresponding setting contents (STP6). For example, if the application name is a predetermined word processor software (APL1)
, The setting of the printer driver is set to “R01” from the setting registration table shown in FIG. The application name is a predetermined spreadsheet software (APL
In the case of 2), similarly, the setting of the printer driver is set to “R02” from the setting registration table shown in FIG. Further, when the application name is a predetermined DTP software □□□ (APL3), the setting of the printer driver is similarly changed from the setting registration table shown in FIG.
The setting is “R03”.

After setting the printer driver in this way, the processor 3 converts the print data into an intermediate code in accordance with the setting, outputs the print data to the I / F controller 2 of the printer device, and performs analysis processing and drawing. After the processing, printing based on the print data is performed on the recording paper under the control of the engine controller 23.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user himself can set the printer driver to the desired settings and can perform the print output desired by the user. <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present embodiment is configured to automatically select the setting contents of a frequently used printer driver for each application. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given. FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a table used in this example, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process of creating this table and setting the most frequently used contents to the printer driver. In this example, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 will be described together with the creation of the setting frequency table for each application shown in FIG.

As described above, the print data is created according to the application 11b, and the setting contents of the printer driver are selected. First, it is determined whether or not the printing process is the most frequent printing process for each application (step (hereinafter referred to as V) 1). Here, if the print processing is not the most frequent print processing (V1 is No), the print processing is performed with the printer driver setting as the above-described current setting (V2, V4).

In this case, the above-mentioned set frequency table is updated (V3). This update process updates data in the set frequency storage area of the set frequency table shown in FIG. For example, the data configuration of the setting frequency table is as shown in FIG.
If the setting is 1) and the setting content is the setting “A1-001”, the setting frequency is “4”, and +1 is updated (incremented), and the setting frequency is set to “5”. The application is (APL2), and the setting content is “A2-0”.
In the case of "02", the setting frequency is "1", and +1 is updated (incremented), and the setting frequency is set to "2". Further, the most frequently set contents of the setting frequency table may be changed by the above processing.

On the other hand, in the above judgment (V1), if the printing processing is the most frequent one (V1 is Yes), the application name acquisition processing is performed (V5). The determination of the presence / absence of the printing process at the highest frequency is performed, for example, by the designation of the user. Here, the application acquisition process is a process of reading and acquiring the data of the application name stored in the work area of the RAM 6 together with the print data as described above.

Next, the setting frequency table shown in FIG. 16 is searched (V6). If the acquired application name exists as described above and matches the most setting contents, the setting contents of the application name are set as the setting contents of the printer driver (V7 is Yes, V8). For example,
In the case of the example shown in FIG.
1), and when the setting content is the setting “A1-002”,
The setting frequency is the maximum, and the content of the setting frequency is set in the printer driver. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 16, when the application is (APL2) and the setting content is “A2-001”, the setting frequency is the highest in the application (APL2), and the content of the setting frequency is the printer. Set in the driver. Hereinafter, the same applies to the application (APL3).

As described above, after the printer driver is set to the most frequently set frequency, the processor 3 converts the print data into an intermediate code according to this setting, and outputs the print data to the I / F controller 2 of the printer. After performing analysis processing and drawing processing, the engine controller 13
Is performed on recording paper based on the print data in accordance with the control of.

Also, the setting frequency table is updated with respect to the maximum setting (V3). For example, when the data configuration of the setting frequency table is as shown in FIG.
When the application is (APL1) and the setting content is the setting “A1-002”, the setting frequency up to that time is “16”, and +1 is updated (incremented), and the setting frequency is “17”. Also, if the application is (A
PL2), and when the setting content is the setting “A2-001”, the setting frequency is “23”, and +1 is updated (incremented), and the setting frequency is “24”. The same applies to the application (APL3) and thereafter.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the setting content of each application is the most frequently set in the past setting history, the most frequently set is automatically performed, and the most suitable print processing in the application is performed. It can be carried out. <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment is configured to automatically select the setting contents of the most frequently used printer driver within a certain period for each application. Therefore, a setting history table in date order is first created. FIG. 18 shows the data structure of the setting history table in the date order. The setting history table in date order is sequentially accumulated during the execution of the above-described print processing, and data is written in the order of the application name, the setting content, and the date.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the history in which the application (APL1) is used on the date "1997.01.01" as the setting content "A1-001" is shown. Next, the application (APL2) sets the date “1997.10.
12 ”indicates the history used, and the application (APL1) indicates the history used on the date“ 1997.12.20 ”as the setting content“ A1-002 ”. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the used application, the setting content, and the date are sequentially registered.

In this example, a table of setting contents having the highest setting frequency in a certain period is created using the setting history table in the date order. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating this process.

First, the user operates the keyboard 9 and a mouse (not shown) to input a frequency setting period for creating a table (step (hereinafter referred to as U) 1). For example, in the description of the present example, this frequency setting period is set to “1998.
1.01 ”to“ 1999.03.01 ”The processor 3 converts the data during the period designated by the user into the data shown in FIG.
From the setting history table in the order of date shown in FIG. 8 (U
2). In this case, the data is in the range A shown in FIG.

Next, the above data is sorted, for example, and the most frequently used setting contents are selected for each application, and a most frequently used setting table for a certain period is created for each application (U3). FIG. 20 shows an example of the frequency setting table for a certain period created in this way. For example, in this case, the application (APL
In 1), the setting contents “A1-
002 ”is the most set content, and the application (A
PL2), the setting contents “A
“2-001” is the most frequent setting, and in the application (APL3), the setting content “A3-001” of the printer driver is the most frequent setting.

In the above setting, the processing of the application is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the printing process is the most frequent printing process for each application (step (hereinafter referred to as X) 1). here,
If the print processing is not the most frequent print processing (X1 is No), the print processing is performed with the printer driver setting as the current setting (X2, X4). Also in this example, the above-described setting frequency table is updated (X3). This updating process updates the data in the setting frequency storage area of the setting history table in date order shown in FIG. For example, the data configuration of the setting history table in date order is shown in FIG.
In the case of the example shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the above judgment (X1), when the printing process is performed with the highest frequency (X1 is Yes), first, the application name acquisition process is performed (X5). Next, a search process of the most frequent setting table for a certain period shown in FIG. 20 is performed (X6). Here, if the corresponding application name exists and the most frequent setting is performed for the certain period, the setting contents of the application name are set in the printer driver (X7 is Yes, X8). For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG.
In the case of PL1), the setting content “A1-002” is the data of the maximum setting frequency for a certain period. If the application is (APL2), the setting content is “A
2-001 "is the data of the most frequently set frequency for a certain period,
If the application is (APL3), the setting content “A3-001” is the data with the highest setting frequency for a certain period.

As described above, after the printer driver is set to the most frequently set frequency, the processor 3 converts the print data into an intermediate code according to this setting, and outputs the print data to the I / F controller 2 of the printer. After performing analysis processing and drawing processing, the engine controller 13
Is performed on recording paper based on the print data in accordance with the control of.

Further, the processing (X
3) is executed, and the application name, the setting content, and the date data corresponding to the data in the setting frequency storage area of the setting history table in the date order shown in FIG. 18 are set.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the applications used during a certain period of time and the setting contents are sequentially stored, and the most frequent setting table for each application is created according to the stored contents. Since the setting is performed, the setting is automatically set to the optimum setting content for a certain period, and efficient printing processing can be performed. That is, the printer driver can be set with the settings of the recently used application, and the printer driver can be set efficiently. <Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, the setting method of the setting contents of the printer driver is changed for each application, and the contents table of the setting method for each application is created according to the setting method. For this purpose, first, the setting method information is registered in the setting method content table for each application according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, FIG.
This will be described using an example of the setting method content table shown in FIG.

The user inputs a setting method for each application (step (hereinafter referred to as Y) 1). For example,
First, the application (APL1) is set using the keyboard 9 or a mouse (not shown). Here, when the user intends to make the recommended settings for the application (APL1), the user inputs the recommended settings (Y1).
Here, the recommended setting is specified by, for example, displaying a selection screen on the display device 8 and selecting by the user.

When the user intends to make final settings for the application (APL2), he inputs the final settings (Y1). This final setting is also performed by displaying a selection screen on the display device 8. Hereinafter, similarly, the input processing of the setting method by the user is repeated. The input information specified by the user as described above is sequentially registered in the setting method content table shown in FIG. 23 (Y2).
FIG. 23 shows the applications (APL1) to (APLn).
The contents of the setting method set up to are shown.

Here, the above-described recommended setting is a setting method performed using the recommended table described in the first embodiment. The above-described final setting is a setting method performed using the final setting table described in the second embodiment.
The registration setting is a setting method using the setting registration table described in the third embodiment, and the most frequent setting is a setting performed using the most frequent setting table described in the fourth embodiment. The method of setting the most frequent frequency for a certain period is a setting method using the most frequent frequency setting table for a certain period described in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing processing for selecting the setting method content table set in FIG. 23 and performing the corresponding processing. First, an application name acquisition process is performed as described above (Y1), and a setting method content table is searched from the acquired application name information (Y2). Here, for example, when the acquired application name is the application (APL1), the printer driver is set by the recommended setting (Y2 is Yes, recommended setting).

On the other hand, if the acquired application name is the application (APL2), the printer driver is set by the final setting (Y2 is Yes, final setting). That is, in this case, the processing described in the second embodiment is performed. That is, the processing is performed according to the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 12, and the content is set to the final setting content of the corresponding application.

If the acquired application name is the application (APL3), the printer driver is set by the registration setting (Y2 is Yes, registration setting). That is, in this case, the processing described in the third embodiment is performed (the processing is performed according to the flowchart described in FIG. 15), and the corresponding application is set.

Further, the printer driver is set according to the most frequent setting in which the acquired application name is the application (APL4) (Y2 is Yes, the most frequent setting). That is, in this case, the processing described in the fourth embodiment is performed (the processing is performed according to the flowchart described in FIG. 17), and the corresponding application is set. If the acquired application name is the application (APL5), the printer driver is set by the most frequent setting for a certain period (Y
2 is Yes, the most frequent setting for a certain period). That is, in this case, the processing described in the fifth embodiment is performed (the processing is performed according to the flowchart described in FIG. 21), and the corresponding application is set.

If a matching application name does not exist (Y3 is No), the current setting contents of the printer driver are set as the settings of the printer driver (Y
4). The same print processing as described above is performed by the printer driver set in each format (Y5), and the processor 3 converts the print data into an intermediate code according to the settings of the printer driver, and the I / F controller 2 of the printer device. After the print data is output and the analysis process and the drawing process are performed, a print process based on the print data is performed on the recording paper under the control of the engine controller 13 (Y6).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the setting method contents different for each application are registered in the setting method contents table shown in FIG. 23, the setting method contents table is searched according to the application, and the corresponding setting method is used. Perform printer driver setting processing. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically set the printer driver corresponding to the application. <Seventh Embodiment> Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, when the user performs a print start operation, the application name is acquired, and the tables described in the first to fifth embodiments are searched and collated, and the application names match. At this time, the corresponding setting contents are stored and displayed on the screen as setting variations together with the standard format of the printer driver. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example, and FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display example thereof. First, an application name is acquired as described above (step (hereinafter, referred to as Z) 1), and a search for a recommended setting table is performed (Z2). In this case, a search for a recommended setting table for each application is performed. For example, the recommended setting table shown in FIG. 3 is searched. Here, if there is a matching application (Z3 is Yes), the recommended settings are read from the table and set in the printer driver (Z3).
4). For example, in the case of the application (APL1),
For example, word processor setting “01”.

In this case, a recommended setting is displayed as shown in FIG. 26, and a button (detail button) for confirming detailed information is also displayed at the same time. On the other hand, when there is no application that matches the above determination (Z3 is No
Then, the final setting table is searched (Z5). For example, the last setting table shown in FIG. 11 is searched. If there is a matching application (Z6
Is Yes), the corresponding final setting contents are read from the table, and set as the setting contents of the printer driver (Z7).
In this case, the final setting shown in FIG. 26 is displayed.
A button (detail button) for confirming detailed information is also displayed at the same time.

Further, if there is no application that matches the above judgment (No in Z6), the setting registration table is searched next (Z8). This search of the setting registration table is for searching the setting registration table created by the user himself, for example, searching the setting registration table shown in FIG. Then, as a result of the search processing, if a matching application exists (Z9 is Yes), the contents of the setting registration are read from the table and set in the printer driver (Z10). Also in this case, the registration settings shown in FIG. 26 are displayed, and a button (detail button) for confirming the detailed information is also displayed at the same time.

Next, when there is no application that matches the above judgment (Z9 is No), the most frequent table is searched next (Z11). The search of the most frequent table is, for example, a search of the most frequent setting table shown in FIG. 16. As a result of this search processing, if a matching application exists (Z12 is Yes), the contents of the setting registration are read from the table. Is set in the printer driver (Z13).

Further, when there is no application that matches the above judgment (No in Z12), the most frequent setting table for a fixed period (limited period) is searched (Z14). This search is, for example, to search the table shown in FIG. 20. If there is an application that matches as a result of the search processing (Z15 is Yes), the contents of the setting registration are read from the table and set in the printer driver. (Z16).

If the corresponding setting contents cannot be obtained even after the above processing (Z17), the setting of the printer driver is set as the current setting. Thereafter, the contents of each format setting of the printer driver are further acquired (Z18).

As a result of the above processing, a setting method corresponding to the application is displayed in FIG. 26, for example. Further, a detail button for displaying detailed information is displayed on the display of each setting method.

After the setting method corresponding to the application is displayed as described above, each process is selected according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, first, it is determined whether or not a button is pressed by a mouse (not shown) (step (hereinafter referred to as T) 1). There are two types of button presses, a detailed button press and a selection button for each setting method. First, when the detailed button is pressed (T1
Is Yes), display processing of the detailed contents is performed (T2). For example, in the case of the recommended setting, the setting content of the printer driver recommended by the supply destination is displayed on the display device 8. For example, in the case of the final setting, the final setting contents of the target application are displayed.

On the other hand, when the pressed button is a selection button of each setting method, the process shifts to a corresponding process. For example, if the selection button is a recommended setting selection button (T1 is Yes), the process proceeds to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the selection button is the final setting (T1 is Yes),
The processing shifts to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the button is a registration setting selection button (T1 is Yes), the process proceeds to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 described above. Hereinafter, even when an operation for designating another setting method is performed, the corresponding setting method is selected, and the printer driver is set according to the setting method.

If there is no matching application name (Y3 is No), the current setting is made in the printer driver (T3). When a default state is set in the printer driver, or when a standard format is set in the printer driver, a corresponding format is set (T
4). In this way, the same print processing as described above is performed by the printer driver set in each format, and the processor 3 converts the print data into an intermediate code according to the settings of the printer driver, and the I / F controller 2 of the printer device. After the print data is output and the analysis process and the drawing process are performed, a print process based on the print data is performed on the recording paper under the control of the engine controller 13 (T5). <Eighth Embodiment> Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment is configured to measure the processing speed for each setting method and display the measurement result when the seventh embodiment is executed. Is a configuration for selecting a setting method corresponding to.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining this example. In the case of this example, the same processing as in FIG. 25 is performed, and the difference is that the measurement processing illustrated in FIG. 29 is performed during this processing. This will be specifically described below.

First, an application name acquisition process is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as L) 1), and a recommended setting table is searched (L2). Also in this case, for example, the above-described recommended setting table shown in FIG. 3 is searched, and if a matching application exists (L3 is Yes), the recommended setting contents are read from the table and set in the printer driver (L4). For example, application (APL1)
In this case, the setting is like the word processor setting “01”. here,
If there is a corresponding setting content, a print time prediction calculation for the setting content is performed according to the processing shown in FIG. Then, the calculation result of the printing time is stored in, for example, a work area of the RAM 6.

On the other hand, when there is no application that matches the above judgment (L3 is No), the final setting table is searched (L5). For example, the last setting table shown in FIG. 11 is searched. Here, if there is a matching application (L6 is Yes), the corresponding final setting contents are read from the table and set as the setting contents of the printer driver (L7). Also in this case, FIG.
The print time prediction calculation is performed for the setting contents set by the setting method according to the processing shown in FIG. Then, the calculation result of the printing time is stored in, for example, a work area of the RAM 6.

Further, if there is no application that matches the above judgment (L6 is No), the same processing is sequentially repeated (L8 and thereafter). During this time, print time prediction calculation is performed for each printing method. Then, the calculation result of the printing time is sequentially stored in the work area of the RAM 6.

FIG. 30 shows calculation results obtained by the above calculation processing. It should be noted that the numerical values shown in the figure indicate the printing time, which is “113” for the recommended setting, “165” for the final setting, “94” for the registration setting,
The user sees the result, compares the printing times of the respective printing methods, and sets an optimal printer driver.

Therefore, when the display shown in FIG. 30 is performed on the display device 8, the user compares the print times with each other and selects the setting content of the shortest print time. Specify 01. Although it may take some time, when importance is placed on print quality, for example, recommended settings and registration settings are specified.

With this configuration, the setting contents of the printer driver can be determined based on the relationship with the printing time, and an effective printer driver setting selecting device can be provided. <Ninth Embodiment> Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, when the seventh embodiment is executed, the processing speed for each setting method is measured, and the shortest print processing time setting method is set from the measurement result. Set to. In this configuration, the content is displayed, and the user selects a setting method corresponding to the processing speed by looking at the measurement result.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining this example. In the case of this example, the configuration is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 28 described above, and the final processing is different. Therefore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 31, L is used for displaying the steps. In this example, the last processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31, that is, the shortest setting content of the printing time is set (L20). With this setting, the setting content for performing the printing process in the shortest time for a certain application is automatically set in the printer driver.

Therefore, with this configuration, the user can easily set the settings of the printer driver, and can perform the printing process in a short time. In the description of the first to ninth embodiments, the application name for acquiring the print data is specified. However, the application name is not necessarily limited to the application name. May be configured to acquire the application name based on this information.

In the first to ninth embodiments, the printer driver is described as a single type. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a printer (output destination) is switched for each application.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the content is examined closely for each page instead of the application name, and each method is controlled based on the existence ratio of text characters, figures, photographs, images, and the like. <Tenth Embodiment> Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment is configured to automatically add various printing environment information to a sheet when executing a printing process.
The print environment information is left on a sheet on which an image based on print data is printed, and print management and the like are performed smoothly.

That is, conventionally, additional printing on paper has been performed only to the extent that a continuous page number is automatically added to printing of a plurality of different applications and documents by a printer driver, for example. Therefore, in this case, the main purpose is to add and print serial page numbers, and other information is only compatible with additional printing of fixed contents.

Therefore, when executing the printing process, the application name, document information, printer driver setting information, etc. are automatically added and printed, so that the actual print result can be accurately determined in what environment. The information is always written at a fixed position when filing or the like is performed even with different paper sizes. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

In this embodiment, the basic system configuration uses the system block shown in FIG. Therefore, the present system is composed of a host computer 1 and a printer device 2, and the host computer 1
OS 4, ROM 5, RAM 6, media drive 7, display device 8, keyboard 9, mouse control unit 10, memory 1
1. It is composed of a printer I / F 12a. The memory 11 includes a printer driver 11a and an application 11b. Also, the printer device 2
Is the I / F controller 13a, the engine controller 13
b.

In this example, a print manager is provided, and a file to be printed is displayed. FIG. 32 shows a display state of the display device 8 when the print manager is driven. In this case, the display device 8 displays a document name, an owner name, a progress status, and a printing start date and time. For example, the first document name is "@", and the owner name is "kish".
igami ", the progress status is" 0/6 page ",
The printing start date and time is “19: 2” on “98/09/26”.
4:53 "seconds. The next document name is" $ "and the owner name is the same" kishigami ".
, The progress status is “2 pages”, and the print start date and time is “19:25:57” on “98/09/26”.
Indicates seconds. Hereinafter, the documents (files) shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the processing of this example will be specifically described. First, various environmental conditions are set in the printer driver 11a. For example, the setting contents are as follows. In other words: ・ Automatic additional printing -Additional print font type-Additional print font size Next, processing according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 32 is executed. That is, first, when the printing process is started, the drawing process is executed according to the application as in the above-described embodiment (step (hereinafter referred to as F) 1). Then, print data according to the application is created. For example, when print data for one page is completed, it is determined whether or not information-added printing is to be performed (F2). That is, it is determined whether or not various information is additionally printed together with the print data. here,
When the information-added printing is not performed (F2 is No), the page break processing is immediately performed (F3), and it is determined whether the page is the last page (F3).
4).

On the other hand, in the above judgment (F2), if the printing is the information addition printing (F2 is Yes), the information of the above-mentioned application is obtained (F5). That is, data such as an application name, a file name, a page (number), a paper size, and a (paper) direction are read. It is assumed that these data are stored, for example, in the RAM 6 described above.

Next, the setting information of the printer driver is obtained (F6). The setting information of the printer driver is, for example, the following setting contents. That is, the driver setting content display level, the additional print font type, the additional print font size, and the like.

Next, information of the corresponding font type is obtained from Windows (F7). For example, a character font such as "Mincho" or "Gothic" registered in the form of an outline font is acquired.

Next, a printing position corresponding to the paper size is calculated (F8). For example, in the case of A4 size: lower right in the case of vertical placement. In the case of A3 size: lower right in the case of horizontal placement.

Further, the printing position is calculated in accordance with the font type, size, and number of characters. After the information to be additionally printed on the sheet is obtained as described above, the drawing processing is performed at the drawing position of the calculation result (F9). By this processing, information to be additionally printed together with the print data is drawn at the calculation result position.

Next, page break processing is performed (F3), and it is determined whether or not the page is the last page (F4). If the page is not the last page at this point (F4 is No), the process returns to the application drawing process (F1), and the same process as described above is repeated. Therefore, for example, in the case of print data of 10 pages, additional printing of the above-described various setting contents is performed on all 10 print outputs. In this case, for example, when the information addition printing is performed at the lower right of the sheet, the information addition printing is performed at the corresponding position on the sheet. When the information addition printing is performed at the lower left of the sheet, the information addition printing is performed at the corresponding position on the sheet. Printing is performed.

Therefore, by confirming the information-added printing, the user can know exactly under what environment the printing result was printed, and for example, it is possible to print again in the same environment at a later date. In addition, print management can be smoothly performed on a large amount of print results. <Eleventh Embodiment> Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment has a slightly different configuration from the process described in the tenth embodiment. In this example, the system block shown in FIG. 1 is used, and this system is composed of a host computer 1 and a printer 2. The host computer 1 has a processor 3, an OS 4, a ROM 5,
RAM 6, media drive 7, display device 8, keyboard 9, mouse control unit 10, memory 11, printer I / F
12a.

First, various environmental conditions are set in the printer driver 11a in advance. For example, as described above, the following settings are made. That is, whether or not there is automatic additional printing. Driver setting content display level = 1. Title only 2. Basic setting contents 3. Detailed setting contents-Additional print font type-Additional print font size-Additional print position = 1. Lower right, 2. Lower left, 3. Upper left, 4. Get information such as upper right,, etc.

Next, the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 33 is executed. This process is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 32, and is indicated by the same step (F) symbol. That is, when the printing process is first started, the drawing process is executed in accordance with the application in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment (F1), print data for one page is created according to the application, and it is determined whether or not to perform information-added printing. Perform (F2). Here, when the information-added printing is not performed (F2 is No), the page break processing is immediately performed (F3), and it is determined whether or not the page is the last page (F4).

On the other hand, in the determination (F2), when the information additional printing is performed (F2 is Yes), the information of the application is acquired (F5), and then the setting information of the printer driver is acquired (F6). Further, information of the corresponding font type is obtained from Windows (F7).

Next, the print position of the information-added print at the print designated position is calculated (F8 '). For example, the print position is calculated according to the print position, font type, size, number of characters, and the like. After the information to be additionally printed on the paper is obtained as described above, the drawing processing is performed at the drawing position of the calculation result (F
9). By this processing, information to be additionally printed together with the print data is drawn at the calculation result position.

Next, a page break process is performed (F3), and it is determined whether or not the page is the last page (F4). If it is not the last page at this time (F4 is No), the process returns to the application drawing process (F1). , And the same processing as described above is repeated. Therefore, according to this example, the information addition printing can be performed at the position designated by the user, and the setting content can be printed at the position where the setting content is most easily confirmed by the user's preference, for example. <Twelfth Embodiment> Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present embodiment also has a configuration in which the processing described in the tenth or FIG. 11 embodiment is slightly changed. Therefore, the system block shown in FIG. 1 is used also in this example.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining the present embodiment. First, various environmental conditions are set in the printer driver 11a in advance. For example, as described above, the following settings are made. That is, whether or not there is automatic additional printing. Driver setting content display level = 1. Title only 2. Basic setting contents 3. Detailed setting contents ・ Barcode type for additional printing = 1. JAN 2. Coder bar 3. CODE39 4. QR code, etc.-Additional print barcode size-Additional print position = 1. Lower right, 2. Lower left, 3. Upper left, 4. Upper right.

Next, processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 34 is executed, drawing processing is performed according to the application, print data for one page is created according to the application, and it is determined whether or not to perform information-added printing. Do (F
2). If the information addition printing is not performed (F2
No), the page break processing is immediately performed (F3), and it is determined whether or not the page is the last page (F4). On the other hand, in the determination (F2), when the information-added printing is performed (F2 is Yes), the information of the application is acquired (F5), and then the setting information of the printer driver is acquired (F6). Further, a bar coding process is performed (F7 ').

Next, the print position of the information-added print at the print designated position is calculated (F8 '). A barcode drawing process is performed (F9 '). Next, a page break process is performed (F3), and it is determined whether or not the page is the last page (F4).
4 is No), and returns to the application drawing process (F
1) By repeating the same processing as described above, information-added printing can be performed at a position designated by the user.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the application name, document information, printer driver setting information, etc. are automatically added and printed, and displayed as bar codes. By reading with a reader or the like, various setting contents can be easily known.

In the above-described tenth to twelfth embodiments, the print size and the print position are fixedly designated. However, the print size and the number of print characters (size) are automatically changed to the print size. -The print position may be calculated.

As an additional item, the tenth embodiment includes a step of specifying a method of performing automatic additional printing, a step of obtaining information from an application, a step of obtaining setting information from a printer driver, The automatic information addition printing method includes a step of acquiring seed information, a step of calculating a printing position corresponding to a paper position, and a step of additionally printing a character string. Specifying a method for performing the setting, obtaining information from an application, obtaining setting information from a printer driver, obtaining font type information, and calculating a print position similar to the specified position,
The twelfth embodiment is a method of specifying a method of performing automatic additional printing, a step of obtaining information from an application, and a step of performing printing from a printer driver. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic information addition printing method including a step of obtaining setting information, a step of converting a bar code, a step of calculating a print position similar to a designated position, and a step of additionally printing a bar code. <Thirteenth Embodiment> Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, print data and printer driver setting contents are displayed on the display device 8 before or during print processing, so that the print contents can be grasped in advance and the print contents can be confirmed. It is a configuration that can be done.

That is, during normal printing, only the file name and size are displayed, and no further information is displayed. In such an environment, it is not possible to know the details of the content of the document currently being printed out or the document to be printed next. If you don't try it, you can't judge.

Therefore, by designating an arbitrary file displayed by the printer manager with a mouse or the like, the detailed document information of the file and the actual print contents are preview-displayed on the screen. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

The host device 1 has a print manager in the OS 4 and displays files to be printed. FIG.
Indicates a display state of the display device 8 when the print manager is driven. In this case, the display device 8 displays a document name, an owner name, a progress status, and a printing start date and time. For example, the first document name is “〇〇〇”, the owner name is “kishigami”, and the progress status is “0/6 page”, indicating that the print start date and time is “19:24:53” seconds on “98/09/26”. The next document name is “$”, the owner name is the same “kishigami”, the progress status is “2 pages”, and the print start date and time is “19/98/26/19”. :
25:57 "seconds. The documents (files) shown in FIG.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining this example.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart thereof. The print data created according to the application as described above is converted into an intermediate code by the printer driver and printed out. The printer manager acquires the print data (document information) supplied to the printer driver and the data of the print format set in the printer driver (step (hereinafter referred to as H) 1). Store in the storage area.

The print contents are transferred to the printer manager (H2). Through this process, the printer manager can know the contents of the print data to be output to the printer device 2.

Next, a document file is designated on the printer manager (H3). That is, a file to be printed is specified from the document files shown in FIG. For example, when the document (file) indicated by “$” is specified, the corresponding document information and print format data are read from the storage area (H3 is Yes, H4).

Further, the printer manager also acquires the print contents (H5). Next, the printer manager displays the document information and the print format on the display device 8 (H8). FIG.
The display shown in FIG. 8 is a so-called preview display of the document information and the print format.

With this configuration, the detailed information stored in advance can be displayed on the screen, and at the same time, the spool file (print contents) managed by the printer manager is obtained and previewed on the screen. The user can check the print data before printing. <Fourteenth Embodiment> Next, a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, when an arbitrary file displayed by the printer manager is designated with a mouse or the like, the detailed document information of the file and the actual print contents are displayed on the screen as a preview. The display mode is switched to display only necessary information. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart for explaining the processing of this example. 37, the same processes as those in FIG. 37 will be described briefly using the same step numbers. The printer manager acquires the print data (document information) supplied to the printer driver and the data of the print format set in the printer driver (H1).
The document information is stored in the storage area of the print format, and the print content is transferred to the printer manager (H2).

Next, a document file is specified on the printer manager (H3 is Yes, H4), and the printer manager also acquires the print contents (H5). Upon acquiring the print content as described above, the printer manager displays the document information and the print format on the display device 8 (H6). FIG.
The display shown in (a) shows a state in which the document information, the print format, and the print content according to the print data are displayed together.

Next, in this state, when the user operates the keyboard 9 or a mouse (not shown) to give a display switching instruction (H7 is Yes), the display is switched to the information display state of the document information and the print format (H8). . FIG. 40B shows this display state.

Next, in this state, when the user further operates the keyboard 9 or a mouse (not shown) to give an instruction to switch the display (H9 is Yes), the display is switched to the display state of only the print contents (H10). FIG. 40 shows this display state.
(C).

Further, in this state, when the user operates the keyboard 9 or a mouse (not shown) to give a display switching instruction (H11 is Yes), the display returns to the initial preview display state again (H6). Therefore, by repeating the above-described processing, the information display shown in FIGS. 40A to 40C can be sequentially performed, and the display as required by the user can be performed on the display device 8.

As described above, the user can perform a desired display on the display device 8 by operating the keyboard 9 and the mouse (not shown). <Fifteenth Embodiment> Next, a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, by specifying an arbitrary file displayed by the printer manager with a mouse or the like, the detailed document information of the file and the actual print contents are displayed in a preview on the screen in advance. In this configuration, the display mode and content are specified, and only necessary information is displayed. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example. Incidentally, in FIG.
The same processing as in step 9 will be described using the same step numbers. First, in this example, a screen display state is designated (H0). That is, the information display state to be displayed on the display device 8 first is specified. For example, designation of display of document information and a print format or display of document detailed information is performed.

Next, the printer manager acquires the print data (document information) supplied to the printer driver and the data of the print format set in the printer driver (H).
1) Store in the storage area of the RAM 6 and transfer the print contents to the printer manager (H2).

Next, a document file is designated on the printer manager (H3 is Yes), and information is read from the above-mentioned storage area of the RAM 6 (H4 '). Next, the printer manager displays document information and print format information or previews print contents in accordance with the specified screen display mode (H6 ').

Therefore, in this example, the screen display mode is specified in advance, and “only the document detailed information”
One of "preview only" and "both" is displayed, and the display is performed according to the user's desire. <Sixteenth Embodiment> Next, a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the detailed document information of the file being printed from the printer manager to the printer and the actual print contents are preview-displayed on the screen in real time. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example. First, document information and print format information are obtained from an application (step (hereinafter referred to as G)).
1). Then, the acquired information is stored in the storage area of the RAM 6. Next, the print contents are transferred to the printer manager (G2), and information on the document being printed is acquired from the storage area of the RAM 6 (G3).

Next, the print content of the page being printed is obtained from the printer manager (G4). Then, the corresponding document information, print format, and print contents are preview-displayed (G5). The display at this time is the display shown in FIG. 38 described above, and the user displays the information of the print data being printed on the display device 8.
As described above, printing of a document or the like can be executed without fail.

Next, it is determined whether the printing has proceeded and the printing has shifted to the next page (G6). If the printing has shifted to the next page (G6 is Yes), the next print information is obtained (G7), and printing is sequentially performed. Is displayed on the display device 8.

As described above, according to this example, the document information, print format, and print content of the document data being printed can be displayed, and the problem of printing an erroneous document can be solved. <Seventeenth Embodiment> Next, a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of pages such as the currently output page, the next page, and the next page are simultaneously displayed in real time by previewing detailed document information and the actual print contents of the file being printed on the printer from the printer manager. Is what you do. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example. First, also in this example, document information and print format information are obtained from the application (G1), and the obtained information is stored in the storage area of the RAM 6. next,
Transfer the print contents to the printer manager (G
2) Acquire information on the document being printed from the storage area of the RAM 6 (G3). Next, the print content of the page being printed is obtained from the printer manager (G4), and the corresponding document information, print format, and print content are preview-displayed (G5).

Further, the print content of the next print page is obtained from the printer manager, and is preview-displayed on the display device 8 (G6, G7). Further, the print content of the next print page is acquired from the printer manager, and is preview-displayed on the display device 8 (G8, G9). In this manner, the display device 8 displays, for example, four pieces of document information and information of a print format. FIG. 44A shows this display state.

Therefore, the user can check not only the information of the document data being printed but also the information of the next document data, the information of the next next document data, and the like on the display device 8 so that the printing process without error can be performed. Can be performed.

On the other hand, when printing progresses and a transition is made to the next page, the determination (G10) becomes Yes, the next print information is obtained (G11), and the document information being printed is sequentially updated (G10).
3 to G11), and can be displayed on the display device 8.
The display shown in FIGS. 44B and 44C shows an example in which the document information being printed is updated.

As described above, according to this example, the document information, the print format, and the print content of the document data being printed can be displayed not only on the page being printed but also on a plurality of further pages. In addition, the printing process can be performed while the user performs the checking operation. <Eighteenth Embodiment> Next, an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, a plurality of pages such as the currently output page, the next page, and the next page are simultaneously displayed on the screen in real time with the detailed document information and the actual print content of the file being printed on the printer from the printer manager. At the time of preview display, the display mode, the number of pages to be displayed simultaneously, and the content are specified in advance, and only necessary information is displayed. Less than,
This will be specifically described.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart for explaining the processing of this example. First, in this example, a screen display mode is designated (step (hereinafter, indicated by J) 1). That is, the information display mode to be displayed on the display device 8 first is specified. For example, the information display mode is specified in advance so that only the preview of the print content is displayed, or the display of the document information and the print format information is displayed. This designation information is stored in the storage area.

Next, the printer manager acquires the print data (document information) supplied to the printer driver and the data of the print format set in the printer driver (J).
2) After storing in the storage area, the print contents are transferred to the printer manager (J3).

Next, information on the document being printed is acquired from the storage area (J4), and it is determined whether or not to display document information (J5). Here, when displaying document information (J5
Is Yes), and displays document information and print format information (J
6). That is, in this case, the display shown by I in FIG. 44A is first performed. On the other hand, when the document information display is not performed (J5 is No), the process of displaying the preview of the print content is immediately performed.

First, it is determined whether or not the preview of the current print page is to be displayed (J7). Here, when the preview of the current print page is displayed (Yes in J7), the print content of the page currently being printed is acquired from the printer manager, and the print content is displayed (J8, J9). That is, by this processing, the print content of the page currently being printed is displayed in the area "1" shown in FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the preview of the next print page is to be displayed (J10). Then, when the preview of the next print page is displayed (Yes in J10), the print content of the next page is acquired from the printer manager, and the print content is displayed (J11, J12). FIG. 44
The print content of the next page is displayed in the area “2” shown in FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not to display a preview of the next print page (J13). Then, when the preview of the next print page is displayed (Yes in J13), the print content of the next page is acquired from the printer manager, and the print content is displayed (J14, J15). By this processing, the print content of the next page is displayed in the area of "3" shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the printing progresses and shifts to the next page, judgment (J16) is executed, the next print information is obtained (J17), and the document information being printed is sequentially updated (J4 to J4).
16) It is possible to display the print contents that are sequentially updated on the display device 8.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, the information of the print content specified by the user can be displayed on the page being printed and a plurality of pages further ahead. The printing process can be performed while performing. <Nineteenth Embodiment> Next, a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, a print server in a network environment displays a list of print documents transferred from each client for each client, and designates any displayed file with a mouse or the like. The preview of the detailed document information of the file and the actual print contents are displayed on the screen. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 46 is a system diagram for explaining the processing of this example. In this example, a print server in a network environment is configured to display a list of print documents transferred from each client for each client.
They are connected by a network 42 such as the Internet. The configuration of the client 40 is the same as that of the host device 1 described above.
It has the same configuration as that of the above, and includes an application 43, a (printer) driver 44, a printer manager 45, a memory 46 (46 ') for storing document information and a print format, and a display device 47. On the other hand, the print server 41 includes a printer manager 48, a memory 49 (49 ') for storing document information and a print format, and a display device 50 (50').

In this example, the processing of the thirteenth embodiment is realized on the print server 41 side using a network, and the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 37 is performed. That is, the transfer source client 40 simultaneously transfers the detailed information of the document to the print server 41 in association with the actual print file. The print server 41 stores the information in the memory 46 (46 '). Then, by specifying an arbitrary displayed file with a mouse or the like, detailed document information of the file is acquired from the storage area and displayed on the screen, and at the same time, the actual print contents are preview-displayed on the screen. As a display example, the display shown in FIG.

With this configuration, print information can be displayed by the print server 41 using the network, and information such as the setting contents of the printer driver and the printing contents are displayed on the display device 50 or the like before the printing process. , You can check.

The following configuration may be employed as a configuration using a network. That is, (a) a print server in a network environment displays a list of print documents transferred from each client for each client, and designates an arbitrary displayed file with a mouse or the like, so that the file is displayed. When the detailed document information and the actual print contents are preview-displayed on the screen, the display mode is switched to display only necessary information.

(B) In a print server in a network environment, a list of print documents transferred from each client is displayed for each client, and any displayed file is designated by a mouse or the like. When the detailed document information of the file and the actual print contents are preview-displayed on the screen, the display form and contents are specified in advance on the print server side, and only necessary information is displayed.

(C) In a print server in a network environment, a list of print documents transferred from each client is displayed for each client, and detailed document information and actual print contents of a file being printed on a printer are displayed in real time. This is a configuration for displaying a preview on the screen.

(D) In the print server in the network environment, print documents transferred from each client are displayed in a list for each client, and detailed document information of the file being printed on the printer and the actual print contents are displayed in real time. In this configuration, a plurality of pages such as the page being output, the next page, and the next page are simultaneously preview-displayed on the screen.

(E) The print server in the network environment displays a list of print documents transferred from each client for each client, and displays detailed document information of the file being printed on the printer and the actual print contents in real time. When previewing a plurality of pages, such as the page being output, the next page, and the next page, on the screen at the same time, the display mode, the number of simultaneously displayed pages, and the content are specified in advance, and only necessary information is displayed. Configuration. <Twentieth Embodiment> Next, a twentieth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present example has a configuration in which the program for performing the processing of the first to nineteenth embodiments is stored in a storage medium, and the present invention can be realized by such a configuration.

That is, the printing system includes a host device and a printer. In the printer driver setting selecting process for selecting the setting content of the printer driver of the host device, the recommended setting content of the printer driver or the user A storage process for storing setting contents, an acquisition process for acquiring application information used for creating print data, and a search for the stored information. When application information is stored, a setting content corresponding to the application is stored. When the setting process for setting the printer driver is performed by using a computer system, this can be achieved by providing a storage medium for storing the program.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of this case. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the host device.
It comprises a PU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, and a display. Further, the storage device stores program data 51 for performing the processing of this example. Also, as shown in FIG.
3 or the storage medium of the CD-ROM 54, the program data 51 can be supplied from the storage medium. Further, the program data 51 can be supplied from, for example, a server via a network line.

In the present example, the program data 51
The above-described processor performs the processing based on.

[0212]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when applications of different systems are printed alternately and in random order, a printer driver is set for each application automatically or in consideration of user settings. For,
The user can obtain each desired print result without complicated printer driver settings or consciousness.

Further, by displaying the paper size, print form, preview of the actual print contents, etc. of the document currently being printed out, it is possible to judge the progress, judge the change in the priority of the print output, and judge the deleted document.・ Easy determination of missing documents can be performed easily and appropriate processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram for explaining processing in a host computer in further detail;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a recommended setting table.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the contents of environment settings for a printer driver.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the environment of a printer driver.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the environment of a printer driver.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the environment of a printer driver.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the environment of a printer driver.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the environment of a printer driver.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a final setting table used for describing the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating creation of a setting registration table created by a user.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a setting registration table used for describing the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a most frequent setting table used for describing the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a setting history table in date order.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for creating a most frequent setting table for a certain period.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a most frequent setting table for a fixed period used in the description of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for creating a table of a printer driver setting method for each application.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a setting method content table used for describing the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for acquiring information on a setting method of a printer driver for each application.

FIG. 26 is a display example of a print setting variation display used for describing the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for acquiring information on a printer driver setting method for each application.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating calculation of a printing time used for explaining the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the length of printing time in various print settings.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for acquiring information on a setting method of a printer driver for each application used in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a display example of a printer manager for explaining a thirteenth embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a system diagram illustrating a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a view showing a so-called preview display of document information and a print format.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating a seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a view for explaining a seventeenth embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a system diagram illustrating a nineteenth embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a system diagram illustrating a twentieth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Printer device 3 Processor 4 Window OS 5 ROM 6 RAM 7 Media drive 8 Display device 9 Keyboard 10 Mouse control part 11 Memory 11a Printer driver 11b Application 12 Printer I / F 12a Printer I / F 12b I / F controller 13 Engine controller 14 Personal computer I / F 15 ROM 16 RAM 17 Panel control unit 18 Buffer 19 Analysis unit 20 Image data processing unit 21 Image memory 22 Video control unit 23 Engine controller 24 Print head 25 Image forming unit 26 Paper feeding mechanism 30 Image 31 Information-added printing 40 Client 41 Print server 42 Network 43 Application 44 Printer driver 45 Printer manager 46 Mori 47 display 48 printer manager 49 memory 50 display 51 program data 52 Driver 53 Floppy disk 54 CD-ROM

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Junko Honma 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo office F-term (reference) 2C061 HK11 HN15 5B021 AA01 BB02 BB09 CC05 5B076 AB18

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver of the host device comprises: A storage unit for storing setting contents; an obtaining unit for obtaining application information used for creating print data; and a search for the storage unit, and when the application information obtained by the obtaining unit is stored in the storage unit. Setting means for setting the setting contents corresponding to the application in the printer driver, and a setting selecting device for the printer driver. 2. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver of the host device stores storage contents of a final use setting of the printer driver for each application. Means, acquisition means for acquiring application information used for creating print data, and searching the storage means, and when the application information acquired by the acquisition means is stored in the storage means, it corresponds to the application. Setting means for setting the setting contents in the printer driver; and a printer driver setting selecting device. 3. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting the setting contents of a printer driver of the host device stores the most frequently set contents of the printer driver for each application. A storage unit, an obtaining unit that obtains application information used for creating print data, and a search unit that searches the storage unit and, when the application information obtained by the obtaining unit is stored in the storage unit, corresponds to the application. Setting means for setting the most frequent setting contents in the printer driver. 4. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting a setting content of a printer driver of the host device stores a maximum setting content of the printer driver for a certain period for each application. A storage unit, an obtaining unit that obtains application information used for creating print data, and a search unit that searches the storage unit and, when the application information obtained by the obtaining unit is stored in the storage unit, corresponds to the application. Setting means for setting the most frequently set contents in the printer driver for the certain period, the setting selecting device for a printer driver. 5. A printing system comprising a host device and a printer, wherein a printer driver setting selecting device for selecting setting contents of a printer driver of the host device includes application information and sets a printer driver. A storage unit that stores a plurality of setting methods; an acquisition unit that acquires application information used to create print data; a search unit that searches the storage unit; and the application information acquired by the acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit. And setting means for setting the printer driver by the setting method corresponding to the application. 6. The printer driver setting selection device according to claim 5, wherein said setting means measures a printing time when a corresponding setting method is used, and displays the measurement result. 7. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the setting unit measures a printing time when a corresponding setting method is used, and sets a setting content of a shortest printing time in the printer driver. Driver setting selection device.