JP2002166617A - Printer control system, printer controller, controlling method, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer control system in which only a required part can be outputted again unconsciously of the page when print data is outputted while being divided. SOLUTION: When print data is outputted while being divided, the state arranged with divided regions is preview displayed on a user interface UI for setting an output processing method with a state where papers outputted while being divided actually are arranged or patched and taken into hands as the forward order. A user can designate a desired divided region being printed out on the preview display using a mouse, for example, and can output only a required part again unconsciously of the page.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer control system, a printer control device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium for controlling a printer device on a computer device, and setting an output processing method on a display device. Display a user interface for previewing the simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method on the user interface, and also set the output processing method on the preview display. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of print data output processing methods, there is a function called so-called poster printing.
Poster printing is a printing function in which print data (one page) is divided into a plurality of sheets of the same size and output, and the sheets are pasted together to obtain one large output. Whether the print data is to be enlarged and divided at the time of division is determined by the size of the print data and the size of the output paper. For example, when an A2-size photographic image is divided into four A4-size sheets (2 × 2), the enlargement division is not performed. FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of poster printing.

[0003]

However, in the conventional poster printing function, when the print data is divided and output, a paper jam occurs at a halfway divided page, and toner or ink runs out. In this case, even when the user wants to re-output only a paper jam portion or only a portion after the toner or ink runs out, it is necessary to re-output all divided pages.

On the other hand, there is a method of designating a page at the time of division in order to output only a desired portion. In this case, the user is required to specify a page number in the total division page. You need to be aware of whether to output. In particular, when performing poster printing, it is desired not to output additional information such as a page number, so that there has been a problem that it is not possible to determine which page to output again.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when print data is divided and output, only the necessary portions can be obtained without being aware of the page. The purpose is to be able to output again.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A printer control system according to the present invention is a printer control system including a printer device, a computer device for controlling print output by the printer device, and a display device connected to the printer. User interface display means for displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on the display device; and preview display for previewing a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method on the user interface. Means for setting an output processing method on the preview display.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention is that, when an output processing method is set on the preview display, the preview display means reflects the output processing method setting. This is in that the preview result of the simplified output result is displayed again.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention resides in that it is possible to set a print data to be divided and output on the user interface.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention is that the preview display means previews a simplified output result indicating a state in which divided areas are arranged on the user interface.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention is that an output processing method for designating a divided area can be set by a predetermined operation on the preview display.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention is that when a divided area is specified on the preview display, a plurality of divided areas can be specified at once by a predetermined operation. On the point.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention is that the printer further comprises a menu display means for displaying a menu for setting whether or not to output all of the divided areas on the user interface. It is in the point.

Another feature of the printer control system of the present invention resides in that a menu display means for displaying a menu for simplifying a preview display is provided on the user interface.

The printer control device of the present invention is a printer control device for controlling a print output by the printer device, and a user interface display means for displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device; Preview display means for previewing a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method on a user interface, wherein the output processing method can be set on the preview display.

[0015] A printer control method according to the present invention is a printer control method for controlling print output by a printer device, comprising the steps of: displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device; And a step of previewing a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method, and a step of receiving the setting of the output processing method on the preview display.

The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling print output by a printer device, and is a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device. A program for causing a computer to execute: a process of displaying, a process of displaying a preview of a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method on the user interface, and a process of receiving the setting of the output processing method on the preview display Is stored.

In the present invention as described above, when print data is divided and output, the user interface displays the divided areas arranged, for example, the paper that is actually divided and output is arranged. A preview is displayed in a normal order in a state of being held or put together in a hand. On the preview display, the user can designate a divided area for which print output is desired.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer control system, a printer control device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer control system. The system generally includes a computer 1000 and a printer 3000.

The computer 1000 includes a CPU 10
01, a RAM 1002, a ROM 1003, a hard disk storage device (HDD) 1004, a display device 1006, and an input device 1007 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
The RAM 1002 is used for a work area of the CPU 1001 and for temporary storage of data.

The computer device 1000 has an external storage device 1005. The external storage device 1005 includes, for example, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, PD, MO, F
D, JAZZ (trade name), JIP (trade name), various types of magnetic tapes and the like, and data and programs are readably and writably stored in a removable storage medium.

The computer 1000 reads various application software 1100 from the external storage device 1005.
And a printer driver 2000, which is a program for executing processing to be described later, is stored in a hard disk storage device (HDD).
1004 or RAM 1002, and
Execute by 01.

The printer driver 2000 exerts a characteristic output processing action by this. In FIG.
A block diagram illustrates processing executed by the printer driver 2000 and a spool file 2100 created by the printer driver 2000. The printer driver 2000 can be loaded and executed on various other readable and writable storage media. Also,
The information may be stored in a nonvolatile memory element such as a ROM or an NVRAM in advance, or may be loaded into the storage device by communicating with another device or the like via a network.

The printer data created by the printer driver 2000 is configured to be transmitted by the transmission processing unit 2010 to the reception processing unit 3010 of the printer 3000.

The printer driver 2000 includes the following elements. An output processing method setting unit 2001 allows a user to change the setting of the print data output processing method, and includes a UI (User Interface). An output processing method storage unit 2002 stores the print data output processing method setting set by the output processing method setting unit 2001. 2003 is an output processing method storage unit 2
An output processing method acquisition unit that acquires the setting (save) of the output processing method of the print data stored in 002.

Reference numeral 2004 denotes an output processing method acquisition unit 2003
Is an output processing method switching unit that switches the output processing to foreground / background according to the setting state of the output processing method acquired in step 2. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a spool file writing unit that stores print data in the spool file 2100 when the output processing method switching unit 2004 switches the output processing to the background.

Reference numeral 2007 denotes a spool file writing unit 2
The spool file control unit controls output order display of the print data stored in 006, designation of the storage destination of the spool file, and the like. Reference numeral 2008 denotes a spool file reading unit that reads print data from a spool file.

Reference numeral 2005 denotes an output processing method acquisition unit 2003
Is a bitmap data conversion unit that converts print data into bitmap data according to the setting state of the output processing method acquired in step 2. 2009 is a bitmap data conversion unit 2
The printer data conversion unit converts the bitmap data converted in 005 into a data format suitable for print output desired by the printer 3000.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the output process in the printer control system of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration. The output process will be described below with reference to the flowchart. In the figure, reference numerals S01 to S10 are given to the processes performed by the components indicated by 2001 to 2010 in FIG.

First, an output processing method of data to be printed on the computer 1000 is set by the output processing method setting S01. In the output processing method setting S01,
As shown in FIG. 3A, a GUI (Graphical User Int.)
erface) is displayed on the display device 1006, and a preview display portion P is provided on the display device 1006.

On the UI, as the setting of the output processing method,
Paper size (width, length), printing direction, and print types such as 1: 1 printing, enlargement / reduction printing, layout printing, booklet printing, poster printing, banner paper printing, and the like can be set. Other settings include a color output / monochrome output setting, an output setting for adding a user-specified character string, a setting for adding a character string to the front or back of print data,
Output settings or the like for adding user-specified bitmap data to the back of print data may be made possible.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the output processing method setting S01 in the first embodiment. Here, the output processing method setting S01 and the output processing method setting module will be described in detail. First, a virtual bitmap for drawing a simplified output result is created (step S101). The simplified output result is drawn on the virtual bitmap created in step S101 (step S102).

The virtual bitmap on which the simplified output result is drawn in step S102 is displayed on the preview screen (S103). After the preview display in step S103, the created virtual bitmap is released from the memory (step S104). After releasing the memory of the virtual bitmap in step S104, the process waits until a user input occurs on the preview display (step S10).
5).

Here, the processing in step S105 and the preview input determination module will be described in detail. FIG.
9 shows a flowchart for explaining the preview input determination processing in step S105. First, it is determined whether an input operation with a mouse or the like has occurred on the UI (step S201). If it is determined in step S201 that an input operation has occurred, the input position is acquired (step S2).
02). If it is determined in step S201 that there is no input operation, the process exits from the module processing.

If the input position is obtained in step S202, the upper left position of the preview screen and the width and length of the preview area are obtained (step S203). The input position acquired in step S202 is the
It is determined whether there is an input on the preview screen based on the upper left position, the width and the length of the area of the preview screen acquired in step 03 (step S204).

If it is determined in step S204 that the image is on the preview screen, it is determined whether poster printing is designated as a printing function (step S205). If it is determined in step S204 that the image is outside the preview screen, the process exits from the module processing.

If it is determined in step S205 that poster printing is designated, the number of poster printing divisions is obtained (step S206). Step S2
If it is determined that poster printing is not specified in 05, the process exits from the module processing.

If the number of poster printing divisions has been obtained in step S206, the number of divisions and step S20
The division width and length of the preview area are acquired from the area of the preview screen acquired in step 3 (step S20).
7).

Based on the input position acquired in step S202, the upper left position of the preview screen acquired in step S203, and the division width and length of the preview area acquired in step S206, the output setting (perform / No) is obtained (step S208). The output setting acquired in step S208 is changed (toggled from the original setting) and reflected (step S209).

For example, as shown in FIG.
At the time of divided output for printing the poster, a paper jam has occurred in the upper right part of the figure. To output only this paper jam part, the following settings are made. Here, the input setting using a mouse will be described, but the input setting is not limited to this. For example, input may be performed by a tablet, a screen touch, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the setting of the output processing method on the preview screen is performed by clicking each of the divided page areas on the preview screen. State. That is, the part clicked from the normal display state is set not to be printed, the display state is also displayed in gray, and the display state is set to be printed when clicked again, and the display state is also the original normal display.

Referring back to FIG. 4, when a user input occurs in step S105, it is determined whether the setting of the output processing method has been changed (step S106).
If it is determined in step S106 that the setting of the output processing method has been changed, the process proceeds to steps S101 to S10.
Step 5 is performed again.

If it is determined in step S106 that the setting of the output processing method has not been changed, it is determined whether the processing of this module is to be terminated (step S10).
7). If it is determined in step S107 that the processing of this module is to be ended, the processing exits from this module processing. If it is determined in step S107 that the processing of this module is not to be ended, the process again waits for a user input in step S106.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. When the setting of the output processing method by the user is completed and the actual print output is performed, the output processing method set in the output processing method setting S01 is stored in the output processing method storage S02. By the output processing method acquisition S03, the output processing method storage S02
Get the output processing method settings saved in. In the output processing legal switching S04, the foreground / background of the print output processing is switched according to the setting of the output processing method acquired in the output processing method acquisition S03.

When print output processing is performed in the foreground based on the result of the output processing method switching S04, the print data itself is converted into bitmap data by bitmap data conversion S05. If the print output process is to be performed in the background according to the switching result of the output process switching S04, the print data is stored in the spool file 2100 on the storage medium specified in the unique file format by the spool file write S06.

Here, spool file write S06
Starts the spool file control S07 simultaneously with the start of storage of the spool file. Spool file control S0
Reference numeral 7 denotes an execution program for performing spool file control such as display of the output order of spool files and designation of a storage destination. The execution program 7 displays a UI screen constructed by a GUI as shown in FIG. 3B. The spool file control S0
7 can also be activated independently of the activation from the spool file writing S06, and in this case, the storage destination can be specified.

The spool file reading S08 reads print data from the spool file. In addition,
In the spool file reading S08, as shown in FIG. 3C, the UI screen constructed by the GUI is displayed.
Displays the reading status.

In bitmap data conversion S05, the print data read in spool file reading S08 is converted into bitmap data. Printer data conversion S
In step 09, the bitmap data converted in the bitmap data conversion S05 is converted into printer data in a format suitable for print output desired by the printer 3000.

At transmission S10, printer data conversion S
09 to the printer device 300
Send to 0.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of a printer control system according to a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment. The output processing in the printer control system according to the second embodiment is represented by the flowchart in FIG. 2 similarly to the first embodiment, and the output processing method setting processing S01 in the flowchart in FIG. This is represented by the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the preview input determination processing in step S105 (the flowchart of FIG. 4) in the second embodiment. Steps S301 to S305 correspond to steps S201 to S2 shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.
05, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S305 that poster printing has been designated, it is determined whether the input operation is for displaying a menu or for specifying an output portion (step S305-2). This determination is performed by, for example, using a mouse input as a left click to specify an output portion and a right click as a menu display.

If it is determined in step S305-2 that the output portion has been designated, the number of poster print divisions is obtained (step S306). Hereinafter, steps S307 to S3
09 are the same as steps S207 to S209 shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S305-2 that the menu is to be displayed, the menu is displayed, and the menu waits for selection (step S306-2). Step S
Even when the menu displayed in 306-2 is selected, the setting is changed in step S309 according to the selected content.

The menu displayed in step S306-2 may be a menu for setting output / non-output for all pages, or a menu in which preview display is further simplified and rectangles are arranged by the number of divisions. The outline of the display examples of these menus is shown in FIG.
(B).

According to the second embodiment, by setting the menu display so that all pages are not output and by specifying the portion to be reprinted, only the portion where a paper jam has occurred is specified. Can be quickly approached. By combining this with the menu display, the output setting on the preview screen is effective also in operability.

(Third Embodiment) The configuration of a printer control system according to a third embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 similarly to the first embodiment. The output processing in the printer control system according to the third embodiment is represented by the flowchart in FIG. 2 similarly to the first embodiment, and the output processing method setting processing S01 in the flowchart in FIG. This is represented by the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the preview input determination processing in step S105 (the flowchart of FIG. 4) in the third embodiment. Steps S301 to S305 correspond to steps S201 to S2 shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.
05, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S305 that poster printing is specified, it is determined whether the input operation is for displaying a menu or for specifying an output portion (step S305-2). This determination is performed by, for example, using a mouse input as a left click to specify an output portion and a right click as a menu display.

If it is determined in step S305-2 that the output portion has been designated, the number of poster print divisions is obtained (step S306). If it is determined in step S305-2 that the menu is to be displayed, the menu is displayed, and the menu waits for selection (step S306-2).

If the number of poster print divisions has been obtained in step S305-2, the number of divisions and the step S
From the area of the preview screen acquired in 303,
Acquire the division width and length of the preview area (step S
307).

Based on the input position acquired in step S302, the upper left position of the preview screen acquired in step S303, and the division width and length of the preview area acquired in step S306, the output setting is changed by a subsequent input operation. Perform (Step S308).

Here, the processing in step S308 and the preview input setting change module will be described in detail.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the preview input setting change processing in step 308. The output setting is changed (toggled from the original setting) for the divided area corresponding to the input position, the upper left position of the preview screen, the divided width and the length of the preview area (step S4).
01).

Next, it is determined whether the preview input is being continued (step S402). This determination is made by assuming that the preview input is continuing if the left click is held down (drag) in the case of mouse input as an example. If it is determined in step S402 that the preview input has not been continued, the process exits from the module processing.

If it is determined in step S402 that the preview input is ongoing, it is determined whether the input position has moved (step S403). Step S40
If it is determined in step 3 that the input position has not moved, the process returns to step S402.

If it is determined in step S403 that the input position has moved, the movement position is obtained (step S404). A rectangle consisting of two points, the first input position and the movement position acquired in step S404, is drawn (step S405).

The output setting other than the divided area changed in step S401 is changed (toggled from the original setting) for the divided area overlapping with the rectangle drawn in step S405 (step S406). After the setting change in step S406, the process returns to step S402.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the output setting changed in step S308 is reflected (step S30).
9). Even when the menu displayed in step S306-2 is selected, step S30 is performed according to the selected content.
In step 9, the setting is changed.

According to the third embodiment, the output setting of a plurality of divided areas can be set at one time by moving the input position in the input state on the preview screen. . As a result, when outputting a plurality of portions after the toner and the ink run out, it is not necessary to set the output settings of the plurality of divided areas one by one, and it is possible to quickly approach the setting desired by the user.

(Other Embodiments) In order to operate various devices in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in a system is used in the above-described embodiments. Supply the software program code to realize the functions of
The present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to programs stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

In this case, the software program code itself implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to a computer are provided.
For example, a recording medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) or other operating system in which the program code runs on the computer. It goes without saying that such program codes are also included in the embodiments of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with the application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided for performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is thereby reduced. It should not be interpreted restrictively. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, when print data is divided and output, only the necessary page portion is output again without the user being aware of the page. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an output process in the printer control system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an output processing method setting process S01.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a preview input determination process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a preview input setting.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a preview input determination process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu display.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a preview input determination process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a preview input setting change process (step S308) in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining poster printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1000 computer device 3000 printer device 1001 CPU 1002 RAM 1003 ROM 1004 hard disk storage device (HDD) 1005 external storage device, 1006 display device 1007 input device such as keyboard and mouse 2000 printer driver 2100 spool file 2001 output processing method setting section 2002 output processing Method storage unit 2003 output processing method acquisition unit 2004 output processing method switching unit 2005 bitmap data conversion unit 2006 spool file writing unit 2007 spool file control unit 2008 spool file reading unit 2009 printer data conversion unit 2010 transmission processing unit 3010 reception processing unit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AR03 CQ05 CQ34 CQ44 HL01 HL02 2C087 AB01 AB05 BB01 BD06 CA03 CB12 CB13 CB20 2C187 AE01 AF01 CD17 DC01 5B021 AA02 BB01 BB10 CC05 KK02 LB07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A printer control system comprising: a printer device; a computer device that controls print output by the printer device; and a display device connected to the printer, wherein a setting of an output processing method is performed on the display device. User interface display means for displaying a user interface for performing the output processing, and preview display means for displaying a preview of a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method on the user interface, wherein the output processing is performed on the preview display. A printer control system, wherein a method can be set. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the output processing method is set on the preview display, the preview display unit previews the simplified output result reflecting the output processing method setting again. Item 2. The printer control system according to Item 1. 3. The printer control system according to claim 1, wherein a setting for dividing print data and outputting the divided print data is made possible on the user interface. 4. The preview display means displays a preview of a simplified output result indicating a state in which divided areas are arranged on the user interface.
A printer control system according to claim 1. 5. The printer control system according to claim 4, wherein an output processing method for designating a divided area can be set by a predetermined operation on the preview display. 6. The printer control system according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of divided areas can be specified at a time by a predetermined operation when specifying the divided areas on the preview display. 7. The printer control system according to claim 4, further comprising a menu display unit for displaying a menu for setting whether or not to output all of the divided areas on the user interface. . 8. The printer control system according to claim 4, further comprising a menu display means for displaying a menu for simplifying a preview display on the user interface. 9. A printer control device for controlling print output by a printer device, a user interface display means for displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device, and the output device on the user interface. A printer control device, comprising: preview display means for displaying a preview of a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the processing method, wherein the output processing method can be set on the preview display. 10. A printer control method for controlling print output by a printer device, comprising: displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device; and displaying the user interface on the user interface. A printer control method comprising: a step of displaying a preview of a simplified output result reflecting settings; and a step of receiving a setting of an output processing method on the preview display. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling print output by a printer device, comprising: a process of displaying a user interface for setting an output processing method on a display device; A computer storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying a preview of a simplified output result reflecting the setting of the output processing method and a process of receiving a setting of the output processing method on the preview display. A readable storage medium.