JP2001306279A - Computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer readable recording medium capable of operating a computer in a state that a user can add a printer by a simple work (operation). SOLUTION: In a computer in which a printer driver recorded in a computer readable recording medium is installed, a property dialog box 40 having a printer icon preparation button 52 is displayed. Also, when the printer icon preparation button 52 is depressed, a dialog box for inputting a printer name is displayed in the computer, and processing to add (register) a virtual printer having the printer name inputted by the dialog box and an operation condition set in the property dialog box 40 at that time as a default operation condition is operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a printer driver is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, Windows 95/9 is used as an OS.
8 / NT / 2000 (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries; hereinafter referred to as Windows)
When a new printer can be used in a computer in which is used, the user executes a printer addition wizard or a setup program attached to the printer. As a result, the printer is identified by the default printer name or the printer name assigned by the user, and a state is formed in which the printer can be used as a device that performs printing under operating conditions defined as initial values of the printer.

[0003] Windows is an OS in which this printer can be installed on the same printer any number of times (a single printer can be used as a plurality of devices having different printer names). It has become. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a computer using Windows as an OS is referred to as a Windows computer, and a printer (more precisely, a printer definition) installed on a Windows computer by a printer addition wizard or the like is referred to as a virtual printer. A printer that actually performs printing by operating a virtual printer is referred to as a real printer.

After registering a virtual printer,
When the user executes the application program and selects the “Print” command in the “File” menu, the display of FIG.
, A print dialog box including a list box 71 for selecting a virtual printer to be used, a property button 72 for changing operating conditions of the virtual printer, an OK button 73 for instructing execution of printing, and the like. 70 is displayed.

[0005] The virtual printer "XXXXXX PM-700"
To operate “0C” under the default operation condition, the user presses the OK button 73 in the print dialog box 70 (positions the tip of the mouse cursor on the button 73 and clicks the mouse button) or simply clicks the mouse button. Press the enter key (after moving the focus to the button 73 using a tab key or the like, if necessary). When any of these operations is performed, Windows, application programs, and a virtual printer The printer driver for “xxxxxx PM-7000C” functions in cooperation with the virtual printer “xxxxxx PM-” stored in the registry.
Print job data corresponding to the operating conditions relating to the “7000C” and the virtual printer “xxxxxx PM-700”.
0C "is output from the port (LPT1: in the figure) to which the actual printer" XXXXXX PM-7000C "is output.
The operation (printing) is performed under the default operation conditions of the virtual printer “xxxxxx PM-7000C”.

On the other hand, a virtual printer “xxxxxx PM-
In order to cause the actual printer “xxxxxx PM-7000C” to perform printing under conditions different from the default operating conditions of “7000C”, the user presses the property button 72. Thereby, the dialog box 70 is displayed. A property dialog box for setting (changing) the operating conditions for the virtual printer “xxxxxx PM-7000C” is displayed. The user must operate the property dialog box using a mouse or the like. Setting of operating conditions (for example, designation / cancellation of layout printing, designation / cancellation of toner (or ink) save printing, designation of image data processing procedure, etc.)
Perform Then, the user closes the property dialog box by pressing an OK button provided in the property dialog box, and presses an OK button 73 of the print dialog box 70. As a result, the actual printer "XXXXXX PM-7000"
C "performs the operation (printing) under the operating conditions set using the property dialog box.

Thus, in a Windows computer,
If it is desired to perform printing under unusual conditions, it is necessary to display a property dialog box for the virtual printer and set (change) the operating conditions of the virtual printer. This setting operation is troublesome even when there is only one condition that needs to be reset. In addition, when there are a plurality of conditions that need to be reset, during the setting operation, some of the conditions may be forgotten to be changed, and useless printing may be performed.

For this reason, in order to set (change) the operating conditions of the actual printer without performing any troublesome work, the default operating conditions of one printer are different from each other by using the printer addition wizard. Some users are registered as multiple virtual printers.

[0009]

If several virtual printers having different default operating conditions are registered, a desired virtual printer is displayed from a list of virtual printers displayed by pressing a button 71a of a print dialog box 70. Select a virtual printer to which the operating conditions of
By pressing the OK button 73, printing under desired operating conditions can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably change the operating conditions of the actual printer.

Now, in the Windows computer, in order to add a virtual printer related to a certain real printer, a task using a printer addition wizard (a task of additionally registering a virtual printer) and a default operation condition of the additionally registered virtual printer are described. An operation for changing to a desired one is required. In the former operation, the user must perform simple but cumbersome operations in accordance with the instructions in the dialog boxes that are sequentially displayed. In particular, at the time of adding and registering a virtual printer related to a printer (real printer) whose printer driver is supplied on a CD-ROM, during execution of the printer addition wizard, the driver is stored in the CD-ROM drive of the CD-ROM on which the driver is recorded. Is required, the CD-ROM must be prepared (finally, the printer driver already read in the HDD is used, so the prepared CD-ROM is used). The process of reading the printer driver from the printer is not performed.)

A virtual printer added to the system by executing the printer addition wizard has an operating condition defined as an initial value of a corresponding printer as a default operating condition. Therefore, even if the operating condition of the virtual printer to be registered is different from the existing operating condition of the virtual printer by only one condition, the operating condition is defined as an initial value, for example. When the operating condition and the ten conditions are different, it is necessary to reset all the ten conditions.

That is, a Windows computer can use one printer as a plurality of virtual printers having different default operating conditions. However, performing such a setting requires complicated work. It has become something.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium capable of operating a computer in a state where a virtual printer can be added by a simple operation.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a computer-readable recording medium of the present invention identifies one printer by a different printer name, and sets a default operating condition for each printer. A printer driver installed in a computer using an OS capable of being used as a plurality of virtual printers associated with the operating condition defining information defining
In cooperation with the OS, when a predetermined operation for designating a virtual printer for which a printer driver is to be used as a processing target is performed on an input device of the computer, the operating condition definition of the virtual printer at that time is performed. A property dialog box displaying means for recognizing the information as display property information and displaying a property dialog box for displaying and changing the display property information on a display device of the computer; and an input device. Change the display property information according to the operation
Means for changing the display content of the dialog box to match the display property information after the change; and obtaining a printer name from the operator through the input device when a specific operation is performed on the input device. A virtual printer adding unit that forms a usable state of a virtual printer identified by the acquired printer name and associated with the operating condition definition information having the same content as the display property information at that time. And a printer driver to be operated.

That is, the computer in which the printer driver recorded on the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is installed displays a property dialog box relating to an already created virtual printer using the printer driver. Function as a device that can create (add) a new virtual printer with different operating conditions as default operating conditions. Therefore, if the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is used, the computer can be operated in a state where a printer can be added by a simple operation (operation), and as a result, the printer can be more easily used. The environment can be provided to the user of the printer.

In realizing the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention, the virtual printer adding means includes a list area for displaying a list of printer names of virtual printers using the printer driver, and a printer area for inputting a printer name. A dialog box including a text box may be displayed on the display device to serve as a means for acquiring the printer name from the operator. By configuring the recording medium in this way, the user can input the printer name of the virtual printer to be added while looking at the printer name of the virtual printer that has already been created. It will be easier to do.

Further, the virtual printer adding means performs an operation of a predetermined procedure including an operation of selecting one printer name from the printer names shown in the list area of the dialog box when the dialog box is displayed. In this case, it may be configured as a means for forming a state in which the virtual printer identified by the selected printer name does not exist.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of a computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The recording medium 32 according to the embodiment is a medium for enabling the printer 30 to be used by the computer 10 having the computer body 11 including the CPU 21 and its peripheral devices, the display 12 and the input device 13. The printer driver 31 holds a setup program, an INF file, and the like. In addition,
The printer driver 31 and the like recorded on the recording medium 32 according to the present embodiment are Windows 95/98 / NT / 2000 (Microso
ft Corporation (registered trademark in the United States and other countries), and the recording medium 32 is a CD-ROM. That is, the recording medium 32 assumes that the computer 10 includes the CD-ROM drive 27 and that the OS is Windows 95/98 / NT / 2000 (hereinafter simply referred to as Windows). I have.

When the printer 30 (the printer driver 31 in the recording medium 32) is installed in the computer 10, the user executes a setup program in the recording medium 32 or a Windows printer addition wizard. Although the detailed description is omitted, the printer 30 by the setup program or the printer addition wizard is used.
Installs the printer driver 31 on the HDD
26 and copied into the registry (system.dat and user.
Various information is added to dat). As a result, a state is formed in which the printer 30 can be used as a virtual printer identified by a specific printer name (a printer name assigned by a user or a default printer name of the printer 30).

Hereinafter, an operation of the computer 10 in which the printer driver 31 is installed will be described focusing on a part related to the printer driver 31. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the computer 10 includes the printer 3
0 (printer driver 31) has been installed, but a printer different from printer 30 has not been installed. That is, it is assumed that the printer icon displayed in the printer folder and the virtual printer (printer name) selectable in the print dialog box are all related to the printer 30 (printer driver 31).

The CPU 21 in the computer 10 operates to instruct one or more (one immediately after the installation of the printer 30) of the printer folder of one of the printer icons to display the property thereof. When the operation is performed or when the operation of pressing the property button on the print dialog box is detected, the printer property changing process of the procedure shown in FIG. 2 is started.

That is, the CPU 21 first functions as a "property dialog box display means", and displays a property dialog box relating to the virtual printer (hereinafter, referred to as a processing target virtual printer) instructed to display properties. The control for displaying the information on the display 12 is performed (step S101).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the property dialog box 40 displayed during the printer property changing process. The property dialog box 40 shown in this figure is displayed when an operation to instruct the display of the property is performed on the printer icon in the printer folder.

As shown, the properties dialog box 40 includes a general tab 41, a detail tab 42, a basic setting tab 43, a paper setting tab 44, a layout tab 45,
A utility tab 46, an OK button 47, a cancel button 48, and the like are provided. Depending on the usage environment of the computer 10 (when the computer 10 is connected to a network and the printer 30 is not a network printer), a dialog box 40 including a shared tab is displayed at the time of the printer property changing process. . At the time of the printer property change process started by pressing the property button in the print dialog box, a property dialog box 40 that does not include the general tab 41 and the detail tab 42 (and the shared tab) is displayed.

As shown, the basic setting tab page displayed by selecting the basic setting tab 43 of the property dialog box 40 includes various basic printing conditions (paper type, whether or not to use color printing, (Setting mode, etc.) (drop-down list box, option button, etc.), setting content display area 51 showing current setting contents of various printing conditions, and
A printer icon creation button 52 is provided. Although not shown, the properties dialog box 40
Each tab page displayed by the paper setting tab 44, the layout tab 45 or the utility tab 46 also has an item for setting a specific type of printing condition, a setting content display area 51, and a printer icon creation button 52.
Are provided.

When the CPU 21 displays the property dialog box 40, in order to specify the display contents of each tab page, the CPU 21 retrieves various information (information indicating the port of the printing destination,
Information indicating various printing conditions). Hereinafter, information consisting of various types of information collected from the registry is referred to as display property information.

In step S101, the property dialog box 4 is displayed based on the display property information.
After displaying 0, the CPU 21 waits for a valid operation to be performed on the input device 13 (keyboard and mouse) (step S102).

When the CPU 21 detects that an effective operation other than the operation of pressing the printer icon creation button 52, the OK button 47, or the cancel button 48 is performed (step S103; other), the detected operation content is determined. After performing the corresponding process (step S104), the process returns to step S102.

That is, the CPU 21 determines in step S10
In steps S2 to S104, it functions as a "change means". For example, an operation (selection of a tab using a mouse, "Ctrl" key and "T"
If it is detected that the “ab” key has been pressed simultaneously (step S103; other), in step S104, the display 12 displays the property dialog box 40 in which the tab page that has been moved is displayed on the front. If the CPU 21 detects that an operation of changing the focus or an operation of setting / changing some printing conditions has been performed, the CPU 21 moves the focus to an item corresponding to the detected operation in step S104. The processing and the processing for changing the display property information according to the operation contents and the processing for changing the display contents of the property dialog box 40. Specifically, the property dialog box 40 shown in FIG.
When the left mouse button is clicked while the mouse cursor is positioned on the “black” option button to which the comment “black” is added (or “Al”
t "key and" B "key are pressed simultaneously), CPU
Reference numeral 21 changes data relating to color / monochrome printing in the display property information. Further, the CPU 21 changes the “color” option button in the property dialog box 40 to a button in which no black point is drawn, and also changes the “black” option button to a button in which a black point is drawn.

When detecting that the OK button 47 has been pressed (OK in step S103), the CPU 21 reflects the contents of the display property information at that time in the registry (step S106). After that, CPU2
1 deletes the property dialog box 40 from the display 12 (step S107), and ends the printer property change processing.

If it is detected that the cancel button 47 has been pressed (step S103; cancel), the CPU
21 deletes the property dialog box 40 without changing the contents of the registry (step S10).
7) Then, the printer property change processing ends.

That is, the CPU 2 in the computer 10
1 performs the same process (control) as the CPU in the computer in which a general printer driver is installed, for operations other than pressing the printer icon creation button 52.

On the other hand, when detecting that the printer icon creation button 52 has been pressed (step S103; icon creation), the CPU 21 executes an icon creation process (step S105).

As shown in FIG. 4, during the icon creation processing, the CPU 21 first displays an icon creation dialog box (step S201).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the icon creation dialog box displayed by the processing in step S201. As illustrated, the icon creation dialog box 60 includes a list box 61 and a text box 6.
2, a create button 63, a delete button 64, and a close button 65 are provided. The list box 61 has a printer name (“PM” in the figure) of a virtual printer which is registered in the computer 10 at that time and which is associated with the printer 30 (the printer driver 31 is used).
-7000 (for creating glossy paper A1 hoster) "). This list box 61 is also an item to be operated when the user designates (selects) a virtual printer to be deleted. I have.

The text box 62 is an item in which the printer name input by the user is displayed. The create button 63 is an item to be pressed by the user when the input of the printer name into the text box 62 is completed. The delete button 64 is an item to be pressed by the user after operating the list box 61 to select a virtual printer to be deleted. The close button 65 is an item to be pressed by the user when closing the icon creation dialog box 60.

After the icon creation dialog box 60 is displayed, the CPU 21 waits for a valid operation to be performed on the input device 13 (step S).
202). If the CPU 21 detects that a valid operation different from pressing of the create button 63, the delete button 64, or the close button 65 has been performed (step S203; selection and input), the CPU 21 determines the content of the performed operation. After executing the corresponding process (step S204), the process returns to step S202, and waits for a valid operation to be performed again.

In this step S204, the CPU 2
1 performs various processes. For example, when detecting that an operation for selecting a printer name displayed in the list box 61 has been performed (step S203; operation, input), the CPU 21 determines in step S204 the display form of the selected printer name. Only the control that makes only the normal operation different from the normal operation is performed.

If the CPU 21 detects that an operation of inputting a character has been performed, in step S204, the CPU 21 additionally displays the input character in the text box 62 or displays the input character in the text box 62. For example, a process of replacing a character group with a Chinese character or the like is performed. That is, the CPU 21 displays the character string (printer name) input by the user in the text box 62 by repeating the processing loop of steps S202 to S204.

When it is detected that the delete button 63 has been pressed while the printer name in the list box 61 is selected (step S203; delete), the CPU 2
1 performs processing for deleting a virtual printer having the selected printer name (step S205). In step S205, the CPU 21 performs the same processing as when "delete" is instructed for the printer icon in the printer folder. And the CPU 21
Returns to step S202 and waits for a valid operation to be performed.

When it is detected that the create button 63 is selected while characters are displayed in the text box 62 (step S203; create), the CPU 21 converts the character string displayed in the text box 62 into a character string. A process of registering a virtual printer having the printer name as the default and using the operating condition according to the display property information at that time as a default operating condition is performed (step S
206). In this step, the processing executed by the CPU 21 to register the virtual printer is essentially
This is the same as the processing performed by the CPU in accordance with a general printer driver setup program or a printer addition wizard. However, the process of step S206 is performed by copying the printer driver 31 to the HDD 26,
This is a process that is executed without displaying a dialog box for inputting information (for example, a printer name) (a process that does not require the user to input information).

When a virtual printer is registered, the CP
U21 deletes the icon creation dialog box 60 from the display 12 (step S107), and ends the icon creation process. That is, the CPU 21 returns to step S102 of FIG. 2 and waits for an effective operation to be performed on the property dialog box 40.

If it is detected that the close button 65 has been pressed (step S203; close), the CPU 2
1 deletes the icon creation dialog box 60 from the display 12 irrespective of the state of the list box 61 and the text box 62 (step S207),
The icon creation process (operation as “virtual printer adding unit”) ends.

That is, the computer 10 in which the present printer driver 31 is installed allows the user to add / delete a virtual printer in the following procedure, for example.

The user first assigns an appropriate printer name (or a default printer name) to the printer 30.
Install. Here, the installation of the printer 30 is "PM-7000C (for creating glossy paper A1 hoster)"
It is assumed that the printing has been performed with the printer name.

Thereafter, the user operates the printer icon (or the property button of the print dialog box) in the printer folder to cause the computer 10 to display the property dialog box 40 (see FIG. 3). Then, the user operates the respective items in the property dialog box 40 to set operation conditions associated with the virtual printer to be added, and then presses the printer icon creation button 52.

As a result, a printer icon creation dialog box 60 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, the user enters a printer icon in the text box 62 indicating the contents of the set operating conditions. Enter the name (“PM-7000C (for creating glossy paper A0 photo)” in the figure) and press the create button 63. By pressing the create button 63, a virtual printer identified by a printer name “PM-7000C (for creating glossy paper A0 photo)” is added to the system. Further, the icon creation dialog box 60 is closed, and the property dialog box 40 becomes active.

The user repeats the above operation to add a virtual printer of each operating condition known to be used, and then presses a cancel button 48.
Press to close the properties dialog box 40. By pressing the cancel button 48, the property
The reason that the dialog box 40 is closed is that when the OK button 47 is pressed to close the property dialog box 40 and the property dialog box 40 is displayed by operating the printer icon,
This is because the settings of the virtual printer “PM-7000C (for creating glossy paper A1 hoster)” are overwritten by the settings at that time (that is, the settings changed for adding the virtual printer). .

After several virtual printers have been registered in this way, a print dialog box 70 opened when printing is instructed from an application program, as shown in FIG. 71a
By pressing, a list 71b from which registered virtual printers can be selected is displayed. Therefore, the user can cause the printer 30 to perform printing under any of a plurality of types (three types in the drawing) of operating conditions only by operating the print dialog box 70.

When it becomes necessary to operate the printer 30 under the new operating conditions, the user enters the properties dialog box 40 of the virtual printer associated with the operating conditions near the operating conditions into the printer. The print dialog box 70 is displayed by operating the printer icon in the folder or by displaying the print dialog box 70 in the application program. Then, the user changes a part of the operating conditions shown in the displayed property dialog box 40 and then presses the printer icon creation button 52 or the like to change the desired operating conditions to the default operating conditions. Add a virtual printer.

As described above, in the computer 10 in which the printer driver 31 recorded on the recording medium 32 according to the present embodiment is installed, it is possible to add a virtual printer related to the printer 30 by a simple operation (operation). it can. In other words, if the printer driver 31 is used, an environment that makes the printer 30 easier to use can be provided to the user of the printer 30.

<Modification> Recording medium 32 according to the embodiment
Can perform various deformations. For example, when the create button 63 in the icon creation dialog box 60 is pressed, the printer driver 31 in the recording medium 32 is closed so that the icon creation dialog box 60 is closed and the property dialog box 40 is closed (step S1). After completion of S105, step S
107 may be created). Also, when the delete button 64 is pressed, the icon creation dialog box 60 is closed (step S
After completion of 205, the printer driver 31 may be created (so that step S207 is executed).

Further, the printer driver 31 may be the one described in the embodiment, and when the setup program is executed, several virtual printers having different default operating conditions may be registered. When the setup program is configured as described above, the printer driver 31 may have only a normal function. However, in such a case, creation (registration) of a virtual printer having slightly different operating conditions cannot be performed in the procedure described in the embodiment. Therefore, the printer driver 31
It is desirable to have the function described in the embodiment.

Also, if the printer driver 31 is a Windows
OS (other than one that can be used as a plurality of virtual printers that are identified by different printer names and that are associated with information that defines default operating conditions, respectively) ), The printer driver 31
And the content of the property dialog box 40, and the recording medium 32 may be another type of recording medium such as a floppy disk. Is natural.

[0057]

According to the present invention, a simple operation (operation)
Thus, since the computer can be operated in a state where the printer can be added, an environment in which the printer can be used more easily can be provided to the user of the printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a use form of a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a printer property changing process executed in a computer in which a printer driver recorded on a recording medium according to the embodiment is installed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a property dialog box displayed during a printer property change process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an icon creation process executed during a printer property change process.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an icon creation dialog box displayed during icon creation processing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an icon creation dialog box displayed during an icon creation process and in which a printer name has been input.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a print dialog box displayed on a computer in which a printer driver recorded on a recording medium according to the embodiment is installed.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a print dialog box displayed on a Windows computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 computer 11 computer main body 12 display 13 input device 21 CPU 26 HDD 27 CD-ROM drive 30 printer 31 printer driver 32 recording medium 40 property dialog box 52 printer icon creation button 60 icon creation dialog box 70 print dialog box

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A single printer can be used as a plurality of virtual printers identified by different printer names and associated with operating condition definition information defining default operating conditions, respectively. A computer-readable recording medium recording a printer driver installed in a computer using a simple OS, wherein the printer driver cooperates with the OS to cause the computer to execute a virtual process in which the printer driver is to be used. When a predetermined operation specifying a printer as a processing target is performed on the input device of the computer, the operating condition defining information of the virtual printer at that time is acquired as display property information, and the display Property dialog for displaying and changing property information Property dialog box display means for displaying a box on a display device of the computer; and changing the display property information according to an operation performed on the input device, and displaying the property dialog box. Changing means for changing the content according to the changed display property information, and when a specific operation is performed on the input device,
A printer name is obtained from the operator through the input device, and the virtual printer identified by the obtained printer name and associated with the operation condition definition information having the same content as the display property information at that time can be used. A computer-readable recording medium operable as an apparatus including a virtual printer adding unit for forming a virtual state. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual printer adding unit displays a dialog box including a list area showing a list of printer names of virtual printers using the printer driver, and a text box for inputting a printer name. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the printer name is obtained from the operator by displaying the printer name on the computer. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual printer adding means performs an operation of a predetermined procedure including an operation of selecting one printer name from the printer names shown in the list area of the dialog box when the dialog box is displayed. 3. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 2, wherein when the step (a) is performed, a state is created in which the virtual printer identified by the selected printer name does not exist.