JP2004260852A - Host computer, printing control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a host computer, printing control method, and storage medium for reducing a time and labor of user's operation and facilitating the user's selection of a desired watermark when setting watermark printing by a printer driver. <P>SOLUTION: An image data generating part 2105 reads an intermediate file 2104 stored on a hard disk 1006 and repeats plotting processing including the rasterization of objects in the order of recording in a plot information recording part 2103. When generating image recording data outputted to a printer 1013, the plot information recording part 2103 records the plot information of a mark before the plot information recording of an application image in the case of watermarking. In the case of the stamp printing of the mark, on the other hand, the plot information of the mark is recorded after the plot information recording of the application image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a host computer, a print control method, and a storage medium that cause a printer to print a mark selected by a user by superimposing the mark in a predetermined output format.

  Conventionally, a stamp is used when a mark in which a character string such as "confidential" or "circulation" is written is given to a document. In addition, when an image created by an application running on a host computer such as a personal computer is printed by a printer, a function of adding a stamp mark or a watermark to a printer driver has been introduced to add such a mark. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  Here, the printer driver is software that receives a drawing instruction from an application via a graphics module of an operating system (OS), and generates image recording data unique to an output destination printer in accordance with the drawing instruction.

Since this printer driver is unique to the OS independent of individual applications, it is possible to output a common mark over an image created by any application without modifying existing applications. Is possible.
JP-A-9-305576

  However, the above-mentioned conventional printer driver has the following problems, and improvement thereof has been demanded. That is, the printer driver creates a mark image to be subjected to overlay printing by an application in advance and records the mark image in a file, or selects a mark image prepared in advance with the printer driver, and outputs the mark image. , Size, color, etc., and superimpose.

  Therefore, in order for the user to create a new mark with the printer driver, the mark creation work by the application is required separately from the printing process, which is complicated.

  The options displayed when the user selects a mark are a mark image file name and an arbitrary name associated with the mark, and can be associated with the output mark. It is not the column itself. For this reason, it was difficult for the user to understand what kind of mark was printed.

  Furthermore, since the output format of the mark cannot be registered for each mark at any time, in order to print the mark in a different output format, a resetting operation is required every time the printing process is performed.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides a host computer, a print control method, and a storage medium that can reduce the user's trouble in setting watermark printing by a printer driver and facilitate the user's selection of a desired watermark. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a host computer of the present invention is a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. In accordance with an instruction input via a screen, a mark added to the drawing data, whether to output above the drawing data, or to determine whether to print below the drawing data, When the determination unit determines that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data is output on the drawing data, the writing unit writes the drawing data and outputs the mark. The drawing data is written. On the other hand, the mark added to the drawing data by the determination means is written in the drawing data. Writing means for writing the drawing data for writing the mark after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark when it is determined that the instruction to output the data under the data is given; Image recording data generating means for reading the drawn data and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, and includes an instruction input through a print setting screen of the printer driver. Determining means for determining whether a mark added to the drawing data is to be output on the drawing data, and a mark added to the drawing data by the determining means on the drawing data. When it is determined that an instruction to output is given, writing means for writing the drawing data for outputting the mark after writing the drawing data, and drawing data written by the writing means. Image recording data for generating image recording data to be read and transferred to the printer And having a forming means.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, and includes an instruction input through a print setting screen of the printer driver. A determination unit that determines whether to print a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data, and a mark added to the drawing data by the determination unit below the drawing data. When it is determined that the instruction to output is given, writing means for writing the drawing data after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, and writing data written by the writing means Image recording data for generating image recording data to be read and transferred to the printer And having a forming means.

  The host computer according to the present invention is a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, wherein the host computer receives the drawing data via a print setting screen of the printer driver. A watermark setting unit for setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the printer, and displaying a watermark in a preview area of a print setting screen of the printer driver in accordance with the setting of the watermark by the watermark setting unit. Preview display means, wherein when the watermark setting means changes the watermark setting, the preview display means changes the watermark displayed in the preview area according to the changed setting. And wherein the Rukoto.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. When creating drawing data of a page to be printed, the host computer specifies a watermark. In this case, the image processing apparatus is characterized by having drawing data creation means for creating drawing data of a watermark, and image recording data creation means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creation means and creating image recording data.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer.If a stamp is specified, the host computer creates drawing data of a page to be printed. It is characterized by having drawing data creating means for creating drawing data of a stamp mark, and image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, and when a watermark is specified, creates drawing data of a watermark mark and prints it. It is characterized by comprising drawing data creating means for creating drawing data of a page to be created, and image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data.

  The host computer of the present invention is a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer.If a stamp is specified, the host computer creates drawing data of a page to be printed. Creating drawing data of a stamp mark and, when a watermark is specified, creating drawing data of a watermark mark and creating drawing data of a page to be printed; and creating the drawing data by the drawing data creating means. Image recording data generating means for reading the rendered drawing data and generating image recording data.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. According to an instruction input via a screen, a mark added to the drawing data, whether to output above the drawing data, or to determine whether to print below the drawing data, When it is determined in the determining step that an instruction to output a mark to be added to the drawing data on the drawing data is given, the writing of the drawing data is performed after the writing of the drawing data. The drawing data is written. On the other hand, the mark added to the drawing A writing step of writing the drawing data after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark when it is determined that the instruction to output the data is given below, and a writing step of writing the drawing data. Reading the drawn data and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A judging step of judging whether a mark added to the drawing data is output above the drawing data in response to an instruction input via a screen, and a mark added to the drawing data by the judging step A writing step of writing drawing data for outputting the mark after writing the drawing data when it is determined that an instruction to output the mark is output on the drawing data; Reads the drawing data written in the step and transfers the image to the printer And having an image recording data generation step of generating recording data.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A judging step of judging whether a mark added to the drawing data is printed below the drawing data in response to an instruction input via a screen, and a mark added to the drawing data by the judging step A writing step for writing the drawing data after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, when it is determined that an instruction to output the mark data is output below the writing data; Reads the drawing data written in the step and transfers the image to the printer And having an image recording data generation step of generating recording data.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A watermark setting step for setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the drawing data via a screen; and a preview of a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the watermark setting in the watermark setting step. And a preview display step of displaying a watermark in the area, wherein when the setting of the watermark is changed by the watermark setting step, the preview display step performs a preview according to the changed setting. And changing the watermark to be displayed on the pass.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, and creates drawing data of a page to be printed. At this time, if there is a designation of a watermark, a drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of the watermark and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data are performed. It is characterized by having.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a page and creating drawing data of a stamp mark; and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data. It is characterized by the following.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of the page to be printed and creating drawing data of a page to be printed, and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data. It is characterized by the following.

  A print control method according to the present invention is a print control method that is executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a page, creating drawing data of a stamp mark, and, if a watermark is specified, creating drawing data of a watermark mark and creating drawing data of a page to be printed; An image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data.

  A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver for receiving drawing data from an application and generating image recording data to be transferred to a printer, wherein the printing of the printer driver is performed. A determination step of determining whether a mark added to the drawing data is output above the drawing data or printed below the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input through the setting screen; Outputting the mark after writing the drawing data when it is determined that the instruction to output the mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data is made by the determining step. Of the drawing data, and the mask added to the drawing data in the determination step. A writing step for writing the drawing data after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, when it is determined that the instruction to output the mark under the drawing data is given; An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer.

  A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver for receiving drawing data from an application and generating image recording data to be transferred to a printer, wherein the printing of the printer driver is performed. A judging step of judging whether a mark to be added to the drawing data is output above the drawing data in response to an instruction input through the setting screen, and a mark added to the drawing data by the judging step A writing step of writing drawing data for outputting the mark after performing writing of the drawing data, when it is determined that an instruction to output the mark on the drawing data is made; The drawing data written in the writing step is read and sent to the printer. And having an image recording data generation step of generating an image recording data to be sent.

  A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver for receiving drawing data from an application and generating image recording data to be transferred to a printer, wherein the printing of the printer driver is performed. A judging step of judging whether a mark to be added to the drawing data is to be printed below the drawing data in response to an instruction input through the setting screen, and a mark added to the drawing data by the judging step A writing step of writing the drawing data after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, when it is determined that the instruction to output the mark under the drawing data is made, The drawing data written in the writing step is read and sent to the printer. And having an image recording data generation step of generating an image recording data to be sent.

  A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver for receiving drawing data from an application and generating image recording data to be transferred to a printer, wherein the printing of the printer driver is performed. A watermark setting step of setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the drawing data via a setting screen, and a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the setting of the watermark by the watermark setting step. A preview display step of displaying a watermark in a preview area, wherein when the setting of the watermark is changed in the watermark setting step, the preview display step is performed in accordance with the changed setting. And changes the watermark is displayed in the preview area Te.

  The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer, and creates drawing data of a page to be printed. When a watermark is specified, a drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of the watermark, and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data. It is characterized by having.

  The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that receives a drawing data from an application and stores a printer driver that creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a power page and creating drawing data of a stamp mark; and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data. It is characterized by having.

  The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that receives drawing data from an application and stores a printer driver that creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a mark and creating drawing data of a page to be printed; and an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data. It is characterized by having.

  The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that receives a drawing data from an application and stores a printer driver that creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer. Drawing data creation step of creating drawing data of a page to be created, creating drawing data of a stamp mark, and, if a watermark is specified, creating drawing data of a watermark mark, and creating drawing data of a page to be printed And an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step and creating image recording data.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when setting the watermark printing by the printer driver, the trouble of the user's operation can be reduced and the user can easily select a desired watermark.

  An embodiment of a host computer, a print control method, and a storage medium of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a host computer connected to a printer. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a host computer on which a printer driver described later is mounted. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a host computer main body. A CPU 1003 controls each unit in the host computer main body 1002.

  Reference numeral 1004 denotes a ROM provided in the host computer main body 1002, which stores a program for controlling each controller described later and data used in the program. This program is executed by the CPU 1003.

  A hard disk drive (HDD) controller 1005 controls access to the hard disk 1006. The hard disk 1006 stores an OS running on the host computer 1001, applications, and a printer driver. In addition, a setting file generated by the printer driver, an intermediate file, and a spool file managed by print queue control of the OS are also stored in the hard disk 1006.

  Reference numeral 1007 denotes a RAM in which an OS, an application, and a printer driver stored in the hard disk 1006 are loaded via the hard disk drive controller 1005, respectively. These pieces of software are executed by the CPU 1003. A work area for executing each software is also secured in the RAM 1007.

  A display controller 1008 controls a display device 1009 that displays characters and images under the control of the CPU 1003. A keyboard / mouse controller 1010 receives an input from the user through the keyboard / mouse 1011 under the control of the CPU 1003. The user performs an interactive operation with the host computer 1001 using the display device 1009 and the keyboard / mouse 1011.

  Reference numeral 1012 denotes a data input / output controller, which performs data communication with a printer 1013 connected to the host computer 1001 under the control of the CPU 1003.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer driver. In the figure, reference numeral 2001 denotes a graphics module of the OS, which receives drawing data for each object from the application when printing by an application running on the host computer 1001, calls the printer driver 2002, and passes the drawing data.

  Reference numeral 2003 denotes an OS print queue control unit which receives image recording data generated by the printer driver 2002, records the image recording data in a spool file 2004, and stores the spool file 2004 in the hard disk 1006. Further, the image recording data stored in the spool file 2004 is extracted in the order in which it was generated, and is passed to the data transfer unit 2005 of the OS.

  The data transfer unit 2005 transfers image recording data to the printer 1013 via the data input / output controller 1012, and causes the printer 1013 to print an image.

  In the printer driver 2002, a user interface unit 2101 displays a dialog screen on the display device 1009 and accepts input from the keyboard / mouse 1011 to perform various print settings by the user.

  Reference numeral 2102 denotes a watermark setting file in which each item (see FIG. 3) of watermark registration data handled by the user interface unit 2101 is recorded and stored in the hard disk 1006. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table of watermark registration data recorded in a watermark setting file.

  Reference numeral 2103 denotes a drawing information recording unit (image synthesizing unit) which receives print setting data from the user interface unit 2101 and drawing data for each object from the graphics module 2001, records the data in the intermediate file 2104, and 1006. Upon receiving a print end instruction from the graphics module 2001, the image data generation unit 2105 is activated.

  The image data generation unit 2105 reads print setting data from the intermediate file 2104 stored in the hard disk 1006, performs initialization processing, receives drawing data, and generates image recording data to be transferred to the printer 1013. To the print queue control unit 2003.

  In the user interface unit 2101, reference numeral 2111 denotes a watermark character string selection unit (mark selection unit). Reference numeral 2112 denotes a watermark setting registration unit (mark registration unit) which accesses data of the setting file 2102 and processes a user setting operation regarding the watermark. Reference numeral 2113 denotes a part for performing processing on print setting items other than the watermark. Reference numeral 2114 denotes a setting data forming unit for generating setting data to be passed to the drawing information recording unit 2103 based on the setting information in these units.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the watermark character string selection unit 2111 and the watermark setting registration unit 2112 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a print setting dialog screen displayed on the display device 1009 by the user interface unit 2101 of the printer driver 2002. The watermark character string selection unit 2111 performs processing for each of the units 4001 to 4004.

  Reference numeral 4001 denotes a watermark character string selection combo box. The user can click the rightmost button of the combo box to display a list of options, and then perform a selection operation by clicking a mouse button. It is not possible to directly input this combo box with the keyboard.

  The combo box displays a character string of the currently registered watermark and a character string “none” selected by a user operation. The registered watermark character string group is obtained by reading a table in the format shown in FIG. 3 from the setting file 2102 into the work area of the RAM 1007. Hereinafter, this table read into the RAM 1007 is referred to as a watermark table.

  Further, when the selection in the combo box is changed, the output format data recorded in the record of the newly selected character string is acquired from the watermark table, and is set as the current setting. However, if “none” is selected, the current output format setting is initialized to a value determined as a default value. Further, this selection indicates that watermark printing is not performed. At this time, check boxes 4002 and 4003, which will be described later, are displayed in light color and cannot be operated.

  4002 and 4003 are check boxes for designating a watermark printing method. The “first page only” check box 4002 specifies whether the mark is output only on the first page or on all pages. A “stamp print” check box 4003 specifies whether to output the mark in a stamp shape on the application image or to print the mark in a watermark shape below the application image. Here, the stamp-like output and the watermark-like output are collectively referred to as a watermark. The check boxes 4002 and 4003 are set independently of each mark character string. Therefore, these settings are not recorded in the setting file 2102 and the watermark table.

  Reference numeral 4004 denotes a watermark setting button. By clicking this button with a mouse, a watermark setting process by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 is started.

  Reference numeral 4005 denotes a preview area, which displays the output format of the watermark when the character string selected in the combo box 4001 is printed in the output format recorded in the setting file 2102 and associated with the character string. . The display of the preview area 4005 is updated when each setting of the check box 4003 is changed from the component box 4001 or when the processing of the watermark setting registration unit 2112 activated by clicking the watermark setting button 4004 ends. .

  Reference numeral 4006 denotes an OK button. By clicking this button with a mouse, the dialog is closed. At this time, the values of the components of the check box 4003 and other setting items are passed from the component box 4001 to the setting data forming unit 2114. It is. These print setting data are applied from the setting data configuration unit 2114 to the drawing information recording unit 2013 at the time of printing processing by the printer driver 2002. However, when the character string “none” is selected in the watermark character string selection combo box 4001, information indicating that watermark printing is not performed is recorded in the print setting data.

  When the watermark setting button 4004 is clicked, the watermark setting registration unit 2112 starts the watermark setting process of FIGS. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing a watermark setting processing procedure in the user interface unit of the printer driver. As described above, the printer driver including the processing program is loaded from the hard disk 1006 and stored in the RAM 1007, and is executed by the CPU 1003.

  First, it is determined whether or not the character string selected in the combo box 4001 in the print setting dialog is “none” (step S1001). If the character string is not "none", the character string selected in the combo box 4001 is stored in the character string variable S, and the character string variable (mark character) is read from the watermark table read into the work area of the RAM 1007. The output format data in the column (S) is acquired and recorded for dialog display (step S1002).

  On the other hand, if the character string is “none” in step S1001, the character string variable S is initialized with an empty character string, and each item of the dialog display data is initialized with a value determined as a default value (step S1003). ).

  A watermark setting dialog including three sheets shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is displayed on the display device 1009 (step S1004). At this time, the dialog display data set in step S1002 or S1003 is used as the set value of each item. FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are diagrams showing a watermark setting dialog screen of the printer driver displayed to the user when setting the watermark.

  The input of the user from the keyboard / mouse 1011 is received (step S1005). In each of the following step processes, a process for a user input is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the save button 5001 has been clicked by the user's input received in step S1005 (step S1006).

  If the save button 5001 is clicked, the setting of the output format currently displayed in the dialog is registered in the watermark table (step S1007). At this time, if the character string of the mark character string combo box 5002 does not exist in the table, a new record is created and registered. If the character string in the mark character string combo box 5002 is “none”, the above registration processing is not performed. After that, the process returns to step S1005.

  On the other hand, if the user's input received in step S1005 is not a click of the save button 5001, it is determined whether or not the selection of the mark character string combo box 5002 has been changed (step S1008). Here, in the combo box, a list of options is displayed by clicking a button on the right end, and a selection operation can be performed from the list. In addition, it is possible to directly input the combo box with the keyboard. If the user's input received in step S1005 is a direct input operation, the process proceeds to step S1011 in this step.

  When the selection of the mark character string combo box is changed in step S1008, the same registration processing as that in step S1007 is performed on the character string displayed in the mark character string combo box 5002 before the user performs the selection change operation (step S1009). .

  The record of the newly selected mark character string is searched from the watermark table, and each item of the dialog display data is updated by setting the output format of each item of this record (step S1010). After that, the process returns to step S1005.

  On the other hand, if the user's input received in step S1005 is not a selection change of the mark character string combo box 5002, it is determined whether or not the OK button 5003 is clicked (step S1011). If the OK button 5003 is clicked, the same registration processing as in step S1007 is performed, and the display character string of the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 in the print setting dialog of FIG. 4 is displayed in the mark character string combo box 5002. The character string is changed to a character string (step S1012). Then, the current contents of the watermark table are stored in the setting file 2102 of the hard disk 1006, and a character string group which becomes an option of the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 in the print setting dialog of FIG. 4 is registered in the watermark table. The character string group and the character string “none” are updated (step S1014).

  On the other hand, if the user input received in step S1005 is not a click on the OK button 5003, it is determined whether or not the input is a click on the cancel button 5004 (step S1013). When the cancel button 5004 is clicked, the current contents of the watermark table are stored in the setting file 2102 of the hard disk 1006, and a character string that can be selected in the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 in the print setting dialog of FIG. The group is updated to the character string group registered in the watermark table and the character string “none” (step S1014). Thereafter, the dialog processing by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 ends, and control is returned to the watermark character string selection unit 2111.

  On the other hand, if the user input received in step S1005 is not a click on the cancel button 5004, it is determined whether or not the input is a click on the delete button 5005 (step S1015). If the delete button 5005 is clicked, the character string displayed in the mark character string combo box 5002 is compared with the value of the character string variable S set in step S1002 or S1003 (step S1016). As a result of the comparison, if they match, the cancel button 5004 on the watermark setting dialog screen is displayed in a light color and invalidated (step S1017). Thereafter, the user clicks the cancel button 5004 until the dialog is closed.

  On the other hand, after the processing in step S1017 or when there is no match in step S1016, the character string displayed in the mark character string combo box 5002 is searched from the watermark table, and the record of this character string exists. If so, this record is deleted from the watermark table, the dialog display data is reset with the default output format settings, the dialog is redrawn (step S1018), and the process returns to step S1005. .

  On the other hand, if the user input received in step S1005 is not a click of the delete button 5005, it is determined whether or not the character string in the mark character string combo box 5002 is edited (step S1019). If the character string in the mark character string combo box 5002 has been changed, the character string resulting from the change by the user accepted in step S1005 is searched from the watermark table, and as a result of this search, the same character string is found in the watermark table. It is determined whether a character string has been found (step S1020).

  If the same character string is found in the watermark table, the dialog display data is updated with the output format setting value recorded in the watermark record found as a result of the search in step S1020, and the dialog screen is updated. (Step S1021). After that, the process returns to step S1005.

  On the other hand, if the character string in the mark character string combo box 5002 is not edited in step S1019, the input of the user accepted in step S1005 is reflected on the value of each setting item displayed in the dialog (step S1022). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1005, and accepts the next user input.

  In this dialog, in addition to the mark character string combo box, there are the following output format setting items, and the value displayed in each item is used as the watermark output format data by the above-mentioned registration processing steps. The table is recorded in the setting file 2102.

  Reference numeral 5006 denotes a decoration designation combo box. Click the button on the right end of this combo box to display options.Whether to use the character string itself as a mark or whether to mark the character string with a rectangle or circle as the mark output format Is specified. Note that it is not possible to input directly from the keyboard in the field of this combo box.

  The mark character string combo box 5002 and the modification designation combo box 5006 are displayed in common on all the sheets shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, and can be set on any sheet.

  Reference numeral 5007 denotes a font name designation combo box. A list of font names that can be used as a watermark is displayed at the bottom of the combo box, and the font name specified by a selection operation by clicking a mouse is displayed at the top of the list. It is also possible to specify a font name by directly inputting from the keyboard in the upper display column. The font used as the watermark output format is specified by the combo box.

  Reference numeral 5008 denotes a size designation combo box. A list of representative character sizes is displayed at the bottom of the combo box, and a size value designated by a selection operation by clicking a mouse from the list is displayed at the top. It is also possible to specify the size by directly inputting from the keyboard in the upper display field. The size value used as the watermark output format is designated by the combo box.

  Reference numeral 5009 denotes a bold designation check box. This check box designates whether or not to mark a font designated by the font name designation combo box 5007 in bold font. Reference numeral 5010 denotes an italic designation check box, which similarly designates whether to use an italic font.

  Reference numeral 5011 denotes a palette display area in which different colors are displayed in a frame. When the user clicks on any of the frames in the palette display area 5011 with the mouse, the color displayed in this frame is designated as the watermark output format.

  Reference numeral 5012 denotes a color designation scroll bar, and the value indicated by the scroll bar is designated as the output color of the watermark. When an output color is designated by the palette display area 5011, the display of the color designation scroll bar 5012 is updated according to the output color.

  An output color display area 5013 displays the output color of the mark designated by the palette display area 5011 or the color designation scroll bar 5012. The display of this area is updated each time an operation is performed on the palette display area 5011 or the color designation scroll bar 5012.

  Reference numeral 5014 denotes a drawing position designation area. By clicking the button at the right end of the upper combo box, the output position of the mark is specified at one of the center and four corners of the paper, or at the position indicated by the coordinate value directly input in the lower input box.

  Reference numeral 5015 denotes a rotation angle designation field, which designates an angle for rotating a character string as a mark output format.

  Reference numeral 5016 denotes a button for returning to the default, which is common to each sheet shown in FIGS. When this button is clicked, the settings of the output styles other than the mark character string combo box 5002 on the displayed sheet are reset to default values.

  Reference numeral 5017 denotes a preview area, which displays an output format when a mark is printed in accordance with the setting of each output format. The display of this area is updated each time the setting of each item is changed.

  When the user starts the print processing by the application after performing the print setting including the watermark output format by the user interface unit 2101 of the printer driver 2002, the application calls the graphics module 2001 of the OS. The drawing information recording unit 2103 of the printer driver 2002 performs the image combining process according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 according to the call from the graphics module 2001 of the OS.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the image synthesizing process. As described above, the printer driver including the processing program is loaded from the hard disk 1006, stored in the RAM 1007, and executed by the CPU 1003.

  First, print setting data set by the user is acquired from the setting data configuration unit 2114 of the user interface unit 2101 (step S2001). The print setting data includes information on whether or not to perform watermark printing, designation of check boxes 4002 and 4003 on the print setting dialog screen shown in FIG. 4, and watermark character in the setting file 2102 in the table shown in FIG. A watermark output format including various setting values of the record of the character string selected in the column selection combo box 4001 is included.

  Referring to the information acquired in step S2001, it is determined whether or not to perform watermark printing (step S2002). This is determined by whether or not the character string “none” has been selected in the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 on the print setting dialog screen of FIG.

  If watermark printing is to be performed, it is determined whether to perform watermark printing only on the first page (step S2003). This is determined based on whether the “first page only” check box 4002 in the print setting dialog of FIG. 4 has been checked.

  If mark printing is to be performed only on the first page, it is determined whether the currently processed page is the first page (step S2004). If it is the first page, or if it is determined in step S2003 that watermark printing is not performed only on the first page, the information obtained in step S2001 is referred to, and the mark is printed in a stamp shape or a watermark is printed. It is determined whether or not to print in a shape (step S2005). This is determined based on whether the “stamp print” check box 4003 in the print setting dialog of FIG. 4 has been checked.

  When printing in a watermark form, drawing information for outputting a mark image in a specified output format is generated with reference to the information acquired in step S2001, and is recorded in the intermediate file 2104 of the hard disk 1006 (step S2006). . By using the information acquired in step S2001, data for outputting a mark reflecting the watermark output format set in each of the dialogs of FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9 is recorded. This output format is reproduced.

  After the processing in step S2006, if it is determined in step S2005 that printing is to be performed in a stamp form, if it is determined in step S2004 that it is not the first page, or if it is determined in step S2002 that watermark printing is not to be performed, the OS According to the drawing instruction from the application via the graphics module 2001, the drawing information of the application image for one page is recorded in the intermediate file 2104 (step S2007).

  Thereafter, referring to the information acquired in step S2001, it is determined whether or not to perform watermark printing as in step S2002 (step S2008). When watermark printing is to be performed, it is determined whether to perform watermark printing only on the first page, as in step S2003 (step S2009).

  If mark printing is to be performed only on the first page, it is determined whether or not it is the first page (step S2010). If it is the first page, or if it is determined in step S2009 that mark printing is not to be performed only on the first page, as in step S2005, whether the mark is to be printed in a stamp shape or in a watermark shape is determined. It is determined (step S2011).

  When printing is performed in a stamp shape, drawing information for outputting a mark image is generated with reference to the information acquired in step S2001, and is recorded in the intermediate file 2104 of the hard disk 1006 (step S2012). By using the information acquired in step S2001, data for outputting a mark reflecting the watermark output format set in each of the dialogs of FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9 is recorded. This output format is reproduced.

  After this process, if it is determined in step S2011 that watermark printing is to be performed, if it is determined in step S2010 that it is not the first page, or if it is determined in step S2008 that watermark printing is not to be performed, the process is currently in progress. It is determined whether the current page is the last page (step S2103). If it is not the last page, processing necessary for page break and data recording to the intermediate file 2104 are performed (step S2014). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2002, and the process for the next page is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2013 that the page is the last page, processing for ending printing and data recording in the intermediate file 2014 are performed, and the image data generation unit 2105 is activated (step S2015). Thus, the processing by the drawing information recording unit 2103 ends.

  The image data generation unit 2105 activated by the processing of step S2015 by the drawing information recording unit 2103 stores a buffer of a size corresponding to one page or a band that is a part of one page to be transferred to the printer. In the RAM 1007.

  Then, the drawing information for each object in one band or a band that is a part of the page recorded in steps S2006, S2007, and S2012 is read from the intermediate file 2104 stored in the hard disk 1006, and the drawing information recording unit 2103 reads the drawing information. Drawing processing including rasterization of the object is repeated in the recorded order, and image recording data to be output to the printer 1013 is generated.

  The image recording data generated by the image data generation unit 2105 is transferred to the printer 1013 via the print queue control unit 2003 and the data transfer unit 2005, and the image is printed.

  In the processing of the drawing information recording unit 2103 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the mark is watermark-printed, stamp printing is performed in step S2006 which is executed before step S2007 of recording the drawing information of the application image. In this case, in step S2012 executed after step S2007, mark drawing information is recorded.

  The image data generating unit 2105 performs “raster printing” on the print setting dialog screen shown in FIG. 4 in order to perform rasterization processing of images in the order recorded by the drawing information recording unit 2103 in each page or band. According to the setting of the box 4003, printing of the mark is performed so as to be visible below or above the application image.

  Further, if printing of only the first page is specified by the branch processing of steps S2003 and S2004 or steps S2009 and S2010, the processing of step S2006 or S2012 of recording mark drawing information only on the first page is performed. Thus, when the “first page only” check box 4002 on the print setting dialog screen shown in FIG. 4 is checked, a mark is output only on the first page of the printed matter covering a plurality of pages, and a stamp is printed only on the cover of the document. Can be output in a manner as if the key were pressed.

  By performing print processing using the printer driver 2002 having such a configuration, user interface, and processing procedure, the following effects can be obtained regardless of the application used to generate a print image.

  By simply selecting a character string to be printed as a watermark from the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 by the processing of the watermark character string selection unit 2111, the mark output format data registered in association with the character string is displayed. The data is read from the watermark table and passed to the drawing information recording unit 2103 via the setting data configuration unit 2114.

  The drawing information recording unit 2103 generates the watermark drawing data using the mark output format data, so that the user can perform various settings such as font, size, color, output position, etc. of the watermark to be printed by the above simple operation. Items can be specified.

  Also, since the options displayed in the watermark character string selection combo box 4001 are the character strings themselves to be printed as marks, the user is not confused when designating the marks, and the desired mark is displayed in the existing option. Can be easily known even when it does not exist, and an easy-to-understand interface can be provided. In addition, since the preview area 4005 always displays an output format reflecting various settings of the watermark, the output format of the designated mark can be easily confirmed.

  Further, when the user changes the watermark character string or the output format using the dialogs of FIGS. 7 to 9, the change is made to correspond to the mark character string by the processing of the watermark setting registration unit 2112. Since the setting is recorded in the setting file 2102, the user can call a newly registered watermark according to his / her own purpose by a simple operation in subsequent printing.

  Since the registration and re-registration operations of the watermark are performed only by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 of the printer driver 2002, it is necessary to start another application for setting the watermark and create an image file. An interface with good operability can be provided without any need. In addition, since the output format reflecting various settings is always displayed in the preview area 5017, the display value of each item can be confirmed in a more intuitive format at the time of setting registration.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the character string “None” is selected in the watermark character string selection combo box 4001, processing for setting print without watermark printing is performed. However, in this case, the watermark setting registration unit 2112 cannot register the character string “none” as the watermark character string.

  In the second embodiment, in order to deal with this, a part of the dialog of the watermark registration setting unit 2112 is changed. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 10 to 15, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration of the computer system shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the printer driver shown in FIG. 2, the table of the watermark registration data shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the printer driver shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. The processing procedure of the drawing information recording unit is common to that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a screen of a part for selecting a watermark character string in a print setting dialog displayed by the user interface unit 2101 of the printer driver 2002. Of these, the processing for each part of the watermark character string selection combo box 6001 to the watermark setting button 6004 and the watermark check box 6007 is performed by the watermark character string selection unit 2111.

  In the figure, functions and corresponding processing operations of a check box 6002 of “first page only”, a check box 6003 of “stamp print”, a preview area 6005 and an OK button 6006 are shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Since the elements are common to the corresponding elements 4002, 4003, 4005, and 4006, description thereof will be omitted.

  However, in the first embodiment, when the character string “None” is selected in the watermark character string selection combo box, the check boxes 4002 and 4003 are displayed in light color. However, in the present embodiment, the check boxes 6002 and 6003 are used. The processing is not performed for.

  In the print setting dialog screen (see FIG. 12) of the printer driver of the present embodiment, a new watermark check box 6007 is added to the dialog of FIG.

  The check box 6007 is used to specify information on whether or not to perform watermark printing in the print setting data to be passed to the setting data configuration unit 2114. When the check box 6007 is checked, the watermark printing is set, and the operations of the watermark character string selection combo box 6001, the check boxes 6002 and 6003, and the watermark setting button 6004 are enabled.

  When the watermark check box 6007 is not checked, the setting is made not to perform the watermark printing, and the dialog elements 6001, 6002, 6003, and 6004 are displayed in light color, and the operation for them is disabled.

  In the present embodiment, the watermark character string selection unit 2111 has a function as an invalid setting unit that controls the presence / absence of watermark printing in accordance with the user's designation for the watermark check box 6007.

  If the watermark check box 6007 is checked and no character string is displayed in the watermark character string selection combo box 6001, the dialog elements 6001, 6002, 6003, and 6004 are valid. However, when the OK button 6006 is clicked, data indicating a setting for not performing watermark printing is passed to the setting data configuration unit 2114.

  By separately providing an item indicating whether to perform watermark printing as the check box 6007, the watermark character string selection combo box 6001 indicates that the character string "none" indicates that watermark printing is not performed. You do not need to perform exception handling that is treated as an option. Other processing operations regarding the combo box 6001 are the same as those of the combo box 4001 in the first embodiment.

  When the watermark setting button 6004 is clicked, the watermark setting registration unit 2112 starts the watermark setting process of FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the watermark setting process. The printer driver including this processing program is stored in the RAM 1007 loaded from the hard disk 1006 and executed by the CPU 1003 as in the first embodiment.

  The data of the column of the character string selected in the combo box 6001 is acquired from the watermark table read into the work area in the RAM 1007, and recorded as dialog display data (step S3001). If no character string is registered in the combo box 6001, default output format data is used as display data.

  A watermark setting dialog is displayed on the display device 1009 using the dialog display data acquired in step S3001 (step S3002). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a watermark setting dialog screen. This dialog is obtained by integrating the mark character string combo box 5002 and the preview area 5017 on the left side of the dialog screen shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 of the first embodiment. An area 7001 is provided. Also, a mark addition / deletion button 7002 is provided instead of the deletion button 5005 of the first embodiment.

  The dialog screen of FIG. 15 corresponds to the dialog screen of FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. The dialog screen is composed of three screens including a sheet (not shown) in which the left part of the sheet shown in FIGS. A mark character string selection area 7001 is a list box showing an expression form and an icon when printing in the output form associated with each mark character string. Note that if no character string is registered in the combo box 6001, that is, if no record is registered in the watermark table, no option is displayed in the mark character string selection area 7001.

  As in step S1005, a user input from the keyboard / mouse 1011 is received (step S3003). It is determined whether the input received in step S3003 is a click on the mark addition / deletion button 7002 (step S3004). When the mark addition / deletion button 7002 is clicked, the processing of FIG. 13 described later is performed to perform the new addition / deletion processing of the mark character string (step S3005). Thereafter, the process returns to step S3003, and waits for the next input from the user.

  On the other hand, if the input received in step S3003 is not the click of the mark addition / deletion button 7002, it is determined whether or not the save button 7003 is clicked (step S3006). When the save button 7003 is clicked, the setting of the output style currently displayed in the dialog is associated with the mark character string selected in the mark character string selection area 7001 and read into the work area in the RAM 1007. Is registered in the existing watermark table (step S3007). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S3003.

  On the other hand, if the input received in step S3003 is not a click on the save button 7003, it is determined whether or not the input is a change in selection in the mark character string selection area 7001 (step S3008). When the selection in the mark character string selection area 7001 is changed, the same registration processing as in step S3007 is performed (step S3009). Then, a record of the newly selected mark character string is searched from the watermark table, and each item of the dialog display data is updated with the set value of the output format of each item of this record (step S3010). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S3003. Note that the character string itself displayed below the mark character string selection area 7001 cannot be directly edited by keyboard input.

  On the other hand, if the input received in step S3003 is not a selection change in the mark character string selection area 7001, it is determined whether or not the OK button 7004 is clicked (step S3011). If the OK button 7004 is clicked, registration processing similar to step S3007 is performed (step S3012).

  That is, the character string group which is an option of the watermark character string selection combo box 6001 in the dialog box of FIG. 12 is updated to the character string group registered in the watermark table at this time, and the display character string of this combo box 6001 is updated. Is updated to the character string selected in the mark character string selection area 7001. Further, the information of the watermark table is written to the setting file 2102 in the hard disk 1006. Thereafter, the dialog processing by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 ends, and control is returned to the watermark character string selection unit 2111.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the input received in step S3003 is not a click on the OK button 7004, it is determined whether the input is a click on the cancel button 7005 (step S3013). When the cancel button 7005 is clicked, the information of the watermark table is reread from the setting file 2102 in the hard disk 1006 in order to invalidate all operations performed in the dialog processing by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 ( Step S3014). As a result, all operations including addition and deletion of a mark character string described later become invalid. Thereafter, the dialog processing by the watermark setting registration unit 2112 ends, and control is returned to the watermark character string selection unit 2111.

  If it is determined in step S3013 that the user does not click the cancel button 7005, a process is performed to reflect the user input other than those described above in the dialog display among those received in step S3003, as in step S1022 in the first embodiment (step S1023). S3015). In this dialog, items other than those described above are the same as those shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the process returns to step S3003 and accepts the next user input.

  Note that if no options are displayed in the mark character string selection area 7001 in this dialog, all setting items and buttons except for the mark addition / deletion button 7002, the OK button 7004, and the cancel button 7005 are The display is dimmed, and operations on them are disabled.

  FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are flowcharts showing the mark addition / deletion processing procedure in step S3005. This processing is started from step S4001.

  The character string selected in the mark character string selection area 7001 is stored in the character string variable S (step S4001). If no character string as an option is displayed in the mark character string selection area 7001, the character string variable S is initialized with an empty character string.

  The dialog screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed (step S4002). FIG. 18 shows a dialog screen. Among them, the mark character string list box 8001 displays all mark character strings registered in the watermark table. In this dialog, if nothing has been entered in the mark character string input field 8002, the add button 8003 is displayed, or if nothing is selected in the mark character string list box 8001, the delete button 8004 is displayed in gray. , Operations on those buttons are invalidated.

  The input of the user from the mouse / keyboard 1011 is received (step S4003). It is determined whether the user input received in step S4003 is a click on the add button 8003 (step S4004). If the add button 8003 is clicked, a character string displayed in the mark character string input field 8002 is searched from the watermark table, and it is determined whether or not this character string exists (step S4005).

  If this character string does not exist, a record of the character string displayed in the mark character string input field 8002 is created in the watermark table (step S4006). For each item other than the mark character string, set the value specified as the default value. This character string is also inserted into the mark character string list box 8001. Thereafter, as in the case where a character string exists in step S4005, the process returns to step S4003.

  If it is not clicked on the add button 8003 in step S4004, it is determined whether or not the user input received in step S4003 is clicked on the delete button 8004 (step S4007). If the delete button 8004 is clicked, the character string selected in the mark character string list box 8001 is searched from the watermark table, and the record is deleted (step S4008). This character string is deleted from the mark character string list box 8001.

  The mark character string deleted in step S4008 is compared with the value of the character string variable S (step S4009). As a result of the comparison, if both character strings match, the water controlled by the processing in FIGS. An empty character string is set in the character string variable S as a value indicating that the character string selected in the mark character string selection area 7001 in the mark setting dialog has been deleted (step S4010). Thereafter, the process returns to step S4003, as in the case where there is no match in step S4009.

  On the other hand, if the user input received in step S4003 is not the click of the delete button 8004, it is determined whether or not the close button 8005 is clicked (step S4011). If the close button 8005 has not been clicked, the input from the user other than the above is processed, reflected on the display in the dialog (step S4012), and the process returns to step S4003.

  If the close button 8005 is clicked in step S4011, it is determined whether the value of the character string variable S is an empty character string (step S4013). If it is an empty character string, that is, if the character string selected in the mark character string selection area 7001 in the watermark setting dialogue controlled by the processing of FIGS. 13 and 14 has been deleted in step S4008, or If no character string is originally registered in the character string selection area 7001, the selection of the mark character string selection area 7001 in the watermark setting dialog is updated to the first character string in the list box of this selection area. (Step S4014). This processing prevents a state where a character string exists in the selection area 7001 but no character string is selected. If no character string is registered in the selection area 7001, this processing is not performed. Thus, the process ends.

  If the character string is not an empty character string in step S4013, the process ends, and the process returns to the process after step S3005 in FIGS.

  The processing after the user performs the print setting including the watermark output format on the printer driver 2002 by the user interface unit 2101 and starts the print processing by the application is the same as that in the first embodiment. However, in the processing shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 by the drawing information recording unit 2103, the setting items of the dialog corresponding to the branch condition of each branch step are those in each dialog shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.

  By using a printer driver having such a configuration, a user interface, and a processing procedure, an arbitrary character string including a character string “None” is used as a mark character string as compared with the case of the first embodiment. It becomes possible. As in the first embodiment, various settings relating to the watermark output format can be performed by a simple operation using these mark character strings as keys.

  Further, by making the watermark setting dialogue into the format shown in FIG. 15, the user can get an overview of the watermark including the output format at the stage of selecting the mark character string. Sex can be provided.

  It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a printer driver to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading the storage medium storing the printer driver for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, an exchangeable hard disk 1006 is used as a storage medium, and the printer driver is loaded from the hard disk 1006 to the RAM 1007 and executed by the CPU 1003. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various applications are possible. For example, a printer driver may be stored in a ROM so that the CPU can directly access the printer driver, or the printer driver may be loaded into the RAM via a communication line. In addition, as a replaceable storage medium, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host computer connected to the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer driver. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table of watermark registration data recorded in a watermark setting file. FIG. 9 illustrates a print setting dialog screen displayed on the display device 1009 by the user interface unit 2101 of the printer driver 2002. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a watermark setting processing procedure in a user interface unit of a printer driver. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a watermark setting processing procedure in the user interface unit of the printer driver continued from FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a watermark setting dialog screen of a printer driver displayed to a user when setting a watermark. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a watermark setting dialog screen of a printer driver displayed to a user when setting a watermark. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a watermark setting dialog screen of a printer driver displayed to a user when setting a watermark. It is a flowchart which shows an image synthesis processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the image synthesis processing procedure following FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a part for selecting a watermark character string in a print setting dialog displayed by a user interface unit 2101 of a printer driver 2002. It is a flowchart which shows a watermark setting processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the watermark setting processing procedure following FIG. It is a figure showing a watermark setting dialog screen. It is a flowchart which shows the mark addition / deletion processing procedure in step S3005. 17 is a flowchart showing a mark addition / deletion processing procedure in step S3005 following FIG. 16. It is a figure showing a dialog screen.

Explanation of reference numerals

1001 Host computer 1002 Host computer main body 1003 CPU
1004 ROM
1006 Hard disk 1007 RAM
1013 Printer 2002 Printer driver 2101 User interface unit 2103 Drawing information recording unit 2105 Image data generation unit 2111 Watermark character string selection unit 2112 Watermark setting registration unit 2114 Setting data configuration unit

Claims (24)

A host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
According to an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver, whether to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data or to print below the drawing data Determining means for determining;
When the determination unit determines that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data is output on the drawing data, the writing unit writes the drawing data and outputs the mark. Drawing data for writing the drawing data, and outputting the mark when it is determined that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data has been given by the determination means; Writing means for writing the drawing data after writing
A host computer having image recording data generating means for reading the drawing data written by the writing means and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
Judging means for judging whether or not to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input through a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When the determination unit determines that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data is output on the drawing data, the writing unit writes the drawing data and outputs the mark. Writing means for writing drawing data;
A host computer having image recording data generating means for reading the drawing data written by the writing means and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
Judging means for judging whether to print a mark added to the drawing data under the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When it is determined that the instruction to output the mark added to the drawing data under the drawing data has been made by the determination unit, after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, Writing means for writing drawing data;
A host computer having image recording data generating means for reading the drawing data written by the writing means and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
Via a print setting screen of the printer driver, a watermark setting means for setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the drawing data,
Preview display means for displaying a watermark in a preview area of a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the setting of the watermark by the watermark setting means,
The host computer, wherein when the watermark setting unit changes the setting of the watermark, the preview display unit changes a watermark displayed in a preview area according to the changed setting. A host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
When creating drawing data of a page to be printed, if there is a designation of a watermark, drawing data creating means for creating drawing data of the watermark,
A host computer having image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data. A host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating unit that creates drawing data of a page to be printed when a stamp is specified, and creates drawing data of a stamp mark;
A host computer having image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data. A host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating unit that creates drawing data of a watermark mark and creates drawing data of a page to be printed when a watermark is specified;
A host computer having image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data. A host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
If a stamp is specified, the drawing data of the page to be printed is created, and the drawing data of the stamp mark is created.If the watermark is specified, the drawing data of the watermark mark is created, and the drawing data of the page to be printed is created. Drawing data creation means for creating drawing data;
A host computer having image recording data creating means for reading the drawing data created by the drawing data creating means and creating image recording data. A print control method executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
According to an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver, whether to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data or to print below the drawing data A determining step of determining;
When it is determined in the determining step that an instruction to output a mark to be added to the drawing data on the drawing data is given, the writing of the drawing data is performed after the writing of the drawing data. Drawing data for writing the drawing data, and outputting the mark when it is determined that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data in the determination step is given. A writing step of writing the drawing data after writing.
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A print control method executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A determination step of determining whether to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When it is determined in the determining step that an instruction to output a mark to be added to the drawing data on the drawing data is given, the writing of the drawing data is performed after the writing of the drawing data. A writing step of writing drawing data;
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A print control method executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A determination step of determining whether to print a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When it is determined that the instruction to output the mark added to the drawing data under the drawing data has been made by the determination step, after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, A writing step of writing drawing data;
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A print control method executed by a host computer having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
Via a print setting screen of the printer driver, a watermark setting step of setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the drawing data;
A preview display step of displaying a watermark in a preview area of a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the setting of the watermark by the watermark setting step;
When the setting of the watermark is changed by the watermark setting step, the preview display step is executed by the host computer, wherein the watermark displayed in the preview area is changed according to the changed setting. Print control method. A print control method executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
When creating drawing data of a page to be printed, if a watermark is specified, a drawing data creating step of creating watermark drawing data;
A print control method executed by a host computer, comprising: an image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data generated in the drawing data generating step to generate image recording data. A print control method executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a page to be printed and creating drawing data of a stamp mark when a stamp is specified;
A print control method executed by a host computer, comprising: an image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data generated in the drawing data generating step to generate image recording data. A print control method executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a watermark mark and creating drawing data of a page to be printed when a watermark is specified;
A print control method executed by a host computer, comprising: an image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data generated in the drawing data generating step to generate image recording data. A print control method executed by a host computer that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
If a stamp is specified, the drawing data of the page to be printed is created, and the drawing data of the stamp mark is created.If the watermark is specified, the drawing data of the watermark mark is created, and the drawing data of the page to be printed is created. A drawing data creation step for creating drawing data;
A print control method executed by a host computer, comprising: an image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data generated in the drawing data generating step to generate image recording data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
According to an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver, whether to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data or to print below the drawing data A determining step of determining;
When it is determined in the determining step that an instruction to output a mark to be added to the drawing data on the drawing data is given, the writing of the drawing data is performed after the writing of the drawing data. Drawing data for writing the drawing data, and outputting the mark when it is determined that an instruction to output a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data in the determination step is given. A writing step of writing the drawing data after writing.
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A determination step of determining whether to output a mark added to the drawing data on the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When it is determined in the determining step that an instruction to output a mark to be added to the drawing data on the drawing data is given, the writing of the drawing data is performed after the writing of the drawing data. A writing step of writing drawing data;
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A determination step of determining whether to print a mark added to the drawing data below the drawing data in accordance with an instruction input via a print setting screen of the printer driver;
When it is determined that the instruction to output the mark added to the drawing data under the drawing data has been made by the determination step, after writing the drawing data for outputting the mark, A writing step of writing drawing data;
An image recording data generating step of reading the drawing data written in the writing step and generating image recording data to be transferred to the printer. A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver having a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
Via a print setting screen of the printer driver, a watermark setting step of setting a watermark including designation of a font to be added to the drawing data;
A preview display step of displaying a watermark in a preview area of a print setting screen of the printer driver according to the setting of the watermark by the watermark setting step;
When the setting of the watermark is changed by the watermark setting step, the preview display step changes a watermark displayed in a preview area according to the changed setting. Computer readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
When creating drawing data of a page to be printed, if a watermark is specified, a drawing data creating step of creating watermark drawing data;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver, comprising: an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step to create image recording data. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a page to be printed and creating drawing data of a stamp mark when a stamp is specified;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver, comprising: an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step to create image recording data. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
A drawing data creating step of creating drawing data of a watermark mark and creating drawing data of a page to be printed when a watermark is specified;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver, comprising: an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step to create image recording data. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and creates image recording data to be transferred to a printer,
If a stamp is specified, the drawing data of the page to be printed is created, and the drawing data of the stamp mark is created.If the watermark is specified, the drawing data of the watermark mark is created, and the drawing data of the page to be printed is created. A drawing data creation step for creating drawing data;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a printer driver, comprising: an image recording data creating step of reading the drawing data created in the drawing data creating step to create image recording data.

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