JP2003345545A - Print controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add a proper print mode according to the frequency of a print mode when a user uses a printer, and to provide a proper and necessary print mode to the user in a printer driver. <P>SOLUTION: This print controller is provided with a means for storing a print mode transmitted from a printer driver in a bi-directional printer and a means for returning printer information such as the stored print mode to a host in an arbitrary timing wherein the print mode of the printer driver can be changed according to the returned printer information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing control device, and more particularly to controlling a printing method of a driver according to the number of prints recorded by a recording device and the number of printing modes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing is performed from a recording apparatus, printing is performed by setting a printing method from a driver of a host. At this time, the driver allows the user to select all functions supported by the recording apparatus. Therefore, it was difficult for the user to determine which mode was necessary for him, and there were many unnecessary options for himself. In addition, it was difficult to understand the contents of the option, and the user sometimes made an incorrect selection.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a printing control apparatus which can enhance the options for a mode frequently used by a user.

[0004]

For this purpose, the present invention provides a means for storing print data information sent from a host and a means for a driver to acquire the information and increase or decrease the number of print mode options. It is characterized by comprising.
According to the above configuration, an appropriate print mode can be added according to the frequency of use of the print mode by the user, and unnecessary options can be omitted. Further, by adding a new mode, the user can understand the contents of the print modes one by one.

[0005]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows three operation flows of the user, the recording device, and the driver.

In step S1-1, the user activates a printer driver from the host to perform printing. The printer driver displays a setting screen in step S1-2. At this time, the printer driver displays only basic settings and has a simple configuration. The user selects a print mode from the UI (user interface) in step S1-3, and the printer driver displays the print mode selected in step S1-4. The print mode includes information such as the printing speed of the printer, print quality, recording medium used, and special effects. When the user performs printing in step S1-5,
The printer driver creates print data and sends it to the printer via the interface. In step S1-6, the printer receives the transmitted print data, and stores the print mode information and the number of prints included in the print data in the memory. That information is added to the previously stored information. The printer starts printing in step S1-7 and ends printing in step S1-8. At this time, the printer information stored in step S1-6 is sent to the printer driver.

In step S1-9, the printer driver acquires information on the total number of prints and the total number of times of use in each print mode. In step S1-10, based on the information, it is determined whether or not the specified amount has been reached. If there is a mode that has reached the specified amount, the process proceeds to step S1-11 to add a new print mode. The new print mode changes depending on which information has reached the specified amount,
This is a mode in which the printing mode, which has been frequently used until now, is further advanced. For example, if the print mode with a high print speed has reached the specified amount, a mode with a higher print speed can be added, and if the print mode with a high print quality has reached the specified amount, a high-quality recording medium can be used. Add a new mode. At this time, a message indicating that “the print mode has been added” may be displayed to notify the user. If the printer information has not reached the specified amount, the process returns to the setting screen of step S1-2.

After the print mode is added, step S1-1
When the user starts the printer driver again in step 2, the printer driver displays the basic settings and the newly added print mode settings in step S1-13.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the acquisition timing of the printer information is different from that in the first embodiment.

In step S2-1, the user activates a printer driver from the host to perform printing. Before displaying the setting screen in step S2-2, the printer driver
Request printer information from the printer. In step S2-3, the printer creates the printer information described in the first embodiment, and returns it to the host. Step S2-4 and Step S2-5
Are the same as steps S1-9 and S1-10 described in the first embodiment. If there is a mode in which the printer information has reached the specified amount, the process proceeds to step S2-6 to display a setting screen in which a new print mode is added to the basic settings. At this time, a message indicating that “the print mode has been added” may be displayed to notify the user. If the printer information has not reached the specified amount, the flow advances to step S2-7 to display a basic setting screen. The user sets the print mode in each setting screen in step S2-8, and displays the print mode selected in step S2-9.

When the user performs printing in step S2-10, the printer driver creates print data and sends it to the printer via the interface. Step S2-11
Then, the printer receives the transmitted print data and stores the print mode information and the number of prints included in the print data in the memory. That information is added to the previously stored information. The printer starts printing in step S2-12, and ends printing in step S2-13.

(Third Embodiment) As a third embodiment, the processing from the printer information request to the display of the printer driver setting screen described in the second embodiment is performed at an arbitrary timing from buttons on the UI of the printer driver. May be operated.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An appropriate print mode can be newly added according to the frequency of use of the print mode by the user, and unnecessary options can be omitted. In addition, since a new mode is added, the user can understand the contents of the print modes one by one, so that an effective printing environment can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process described in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process described in a second embodiment.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus capable of receiving print data from a host interface and performing printing in a two-way communication mode, comprising: means for storing a print mode of the print data; and means for storing other print information. A print control device for returning stored information to a host and changing a driver selection screen. 2. A printing apparatus which receives print data, stores print information included in the print data in a memory, and arbitrarily returns the information in response to a request from a host interface. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driver of the host that has received the storage information increases or decreases options of a printing method such as a print mode or a recording medium according to the information. 4. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein the driver determines the condition for the specified amount based on information from the recording device, and increases or decreases the number of printing method options. .