JP2004295680A - Image formation control device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely perform a test printing with an easy operation. <P>SOLUTION: The test printing of a label in a label printer requires a high cost. Therefore, the test printing of the label is performed in a general printer so that the printing result can be confirmed. The resolution or physical size of printing data is calculated with software and converted so as to be matched to the general printer. Accordingly, even if the printing is not performed in the label printer, the printing result of the label can be confirmed at low cost by use of the general printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming control device capable of controlling driving of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A label printer for printing a label to be attached to a document file, a video tape, or the like, and a stamp creation device for printing a stamp plate and a stamp ID label are known (for example, Patent Document 1). Some of such label printers and stamp making apparatuses can be connected to a PC (Personal Computer) via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The label printer and the stamp creation device connected to the PC are controlled by a dedicated editor activated on the PC, and can print out print data from the dedicated editor.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-103152 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since a label as a print medium of a label printer and a stamp plate and its ID label as a print medium of a stamp making device are more expensive than general paper, test printing cannot be easily performed. . Although the print content can be confirmed by the preview function of the dedicated editor, the print content displayed on the screen may not be able to reproduce an accurate print state. Therefore, it is desirable to perform test printing with a printer that uses general paper as the printing medium by changing the printer driver. However, since the stamp printing plate and its ID label are smaller in size than general paper, the size change In addition, there is a problem that the operation of changing the printer driver and the operation of changing the paper setting and the like for the printer driver are complicated.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming control device and a program that can perform test printing easily and easily.
[0006]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The image forming control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus forms an image on a first image forming medium, and the second image forming medium is different from the first image forming medium. An image forming control apparatus capable of controlling a second image forming apparatus that forms an image by using the first image forming apparatus, a first drive control unit for controlling driving of the first image forming apparatus, and the second image forming apparatus. A second drive control unit for controlling the driving of the forming apparatus; and setting to be able to select which of the first image forming medium and the second image forming medium is to be used before image formation is performed. Setting means for activating one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means in accordance with the setting contents of the setting means at the time of image formation, and the start means The second drive control means is activated. And changing means for changing the setting contents of the setting means from the second image forming medium to the first image forming medium after image formation on the second image forming medium is completed. It is characterized by having.
[0007]
8. A program according to claim 7, wherein the first image forming apparatus forms an image on a first image forming medium, and the image forming apparatus forms an image on a second image forming medium different from the first image forming medium. A first drive control means for controlling the drive of the first image forming apparatus, and a drive control means for controlling the drive of the second image forming apparatus. A computer having a second drive control unit for executing the first drive control unit and the second drive control unit according to the setting contents of the setting unit at the time of image formation. Setting means for setting which of the first drive control means and the second drive control means to use before execution of image formation, and The second drive When the control unit is activated, the setting of the setting unit is changed from the second drive control unit to the first drive control unit after image formation on the second image forming medium is completed. It is characterized by functioning as a changing means of.
[0008]
According to the first and seventh aspects, it is possible to easily and easily perform test printing of print contents printed by a printer having a high printing cost by another printer having a low printing cost.
[0009]
The image forming control device according to claim 2, wherein when the second drive control unit completes image formation by the second image forming device, the setting content of the setting unit related to the image forming includes: The image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the specific image forming data editor has been changed based on a user operation. When the determination unit determines that the setting has been changed based on a user operation on the data editor, the setting content of the setting unit is changed from the second drive control unit to the first drive control unit. And
[0010]
9. The program according to claim 8, wherein when the second drive control unit completes image formation by the second image forming apparatus, the setting content of the setting unit for the image formation is a specific image. The computer further functions as determining means for determining whether or not the setting has been changed based on a user operation on the forming data editor, wherein the changing means sets the setting content of the setting means to the specific image forming data editor. When the determination unit determines that the setting has been changed based on a user operation, the setting content of the setting unit is changed from the second drive control unit to the first drive control unit. .
[0011]
According to the second and eighth aspects, the second drive control means does not forget to return to the first drive control means.
[0012]
4. The image forming control device according to claim 3, wherein a setting storage unit is configured to store setting contents relating to one of the first drive control unit and the second drive control unit that is activated by the activation unit. 5. An evacuation storage unit for storing setting contents of the first drive control unit, wherein the changing unit changes the setting contents of the setting unit to the first image forming medium. And rewriting the storage contents stored in the setting storage means with the setting contents of the first drive control means stored in the evacuation storage means.
[0013]
10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the setting storage means is configured to store setting contents relating to one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means that is activated by the activation means. The computer further functions as evacuation storage means for storing the setting content of the first drive control means, and the changing means, when changing the setting content of the setting means to the first drive control means, The storage content stored in the setting storage means is rewritten to the setting content of the first drive control means stored in the evacuation storage means.
[0014]
According to the third and ninth aspects, even when the printer driver is changed and the test print is performed by another printer, it is not necessary to set the paper size and the print direction again after the test print is completed.
[0015]
5. The image forming control device according to claim 4, wherein the image forming data is transmitted to one of the first drive control unit and the second drive control unit that is activated by the activation unit. 6. When the second drive control unit is activated by the transmission unit and the activation unit, the physical size of the image formed by the second image forming apparatus is changed by the first image forming apparatus. Image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so as to have the same physical size as the image forming content to be formed; When the drive control means is activated, the image formation data adjusted by the image formation data adjustment means is transmitted to the second drive control means.
[0016]
11. The image forming data transmitting means for transmitting image forming data to one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means activated by the activation means, the program according to claim 10. When the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the physical size of the image forming content to be image-formed by the second image forming device is image-formed by the first image forming device. The computer further functions as image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so that the physical size of the image forming content becomes the same as the physical size of the image forming content. Transmitting the image formation data adjusted by the image formation data adjustment unit to the second drive control unit when the control unit is activated; And it features.
[0017]
According to the fourth and tenth aspects, it is possible to print in the same size using different printers having different resolutions, so that the balance of the entire print content can be confirmed.
[0018]
6. The image forming control device according to claim 5, wherein the image forming data for transmitting image forming data to one of the first drive control unit and the second drive control unit that is activated by the activation unit. When the second drive control unit is activated by the transmission unit and the activation unit, the number of dots of the image formation content to be image-formed by the second image forming device is reduced by the first image forming device. Image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so as to have the same number of dots as the number of dots of the image forming content to be formed; When the drive control means is activated, the image formation data adjusted by the image formation data adjustment means is transmitted to the second drive control means.
[0019]
12. The image forming data transmitting means for transmitting image forming data to one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means activated by the activation means, the program according to claim 11. Further, when the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the number of dots of the image formation content to be image-formed by the second image forming device is image-formed by the first image forming device. The computer further functions as image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so that the number of dots of the image forming contents becomes equal to the number of dots of the image forming contents. When the control means is activated, the image forming data adjusted by the image forming data adjusting means is transmitted to the second drive control means. To.
[0020]
According to the fifth and eleventh aspects, since the printing can be performed so that the number of dots is the same, the accurate shape of the printed content can be confirmed.
[0021]
The image forming control device according to claim 6, wherein the first image forming device is a label image forming device.
[0022]
The program according to claim 12, wherein the first image forming apparatus is a label image forming apparatus.
[0023]
According to the sixth and twelfth aspects, the print content printed by a label printer that prints a stamp or an ID label with a high printing cost can be easily and easily tested by another printer with a low printing cost. Can be.
[0024]
The program described in claims 7 to 12 can be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) and an MO (Magneto-Optical Disk), and can be distributed by wire or wireless. Can be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet by the electric communication means.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The configuration of the image forming control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC 1 functioning as an image forming control device. The PC 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 5, a CD-ROM drive 6, an interface 7, It has a display 8 and an operation unit 9, which are connected to each other by a system bus 10. The PC 1 is connected to the printer 11 and the label printer 12 via the interface 7.
[0026]
The CPU 2 is a central processing unit for controlling the PC 1. The CPU 2 issues an instruction to all devices in the PC or sends and receives data via the system bus 10. Further, an OS (Operating System) and application software described later are read from the HDD 5 and executed.
[0027]
The ROM 3 is a read-only storage device and forms a part of a main storage space used by the CPU 2. The ROM 3 stores a program for starting the OS of the PC 1 and the like. The RAM 4 constitutes a part of a main storage space used by the CPU 2 like the ROM 3, and is a readable / writable volatile storage device.
[0028]
The HDD 5 is a readable / writable storage device and its reading device, and stores program data of the OS 21, the editor 22, the printer driver 23, the label printer driver 24, and the like. The OS 21 is an operating system that operates the PC 1. The OS 21 includes a printer name storage unit 21a that stores a printer name normally used in the OS 21. The PC 1 uses Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) as an operating system.
[0029]
The editor 22 is one of application software programs started on the OS 21, and is a data editor capable of creating, editing, and printing print contents to be printed by the label printer 12.
[0030]
The printer driver 23 and the label printer driver 24 are for application software started on the OS 21 to control the driving of the printer 11 and the label printer 12 via the OS 21, respectively.
[0031]
The CD-ROM drive 6 is a device that reads data stored in a CD-ROM as a storage medium. The program data of the OS 21, the editor 22, the printer driver 23, the label printer driver 24, and the like are usually sold or distributed in a state stored in a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM drive 6 is used to install these data from the CR-ROM into the HDD 5.
[0032]
The interface 7 is a USB which is one of interfaces for connecting the PC 1 to an external device. The interface 7 is not limited to the USB, but may be any interface such as a parallel interface that can connect the PC 1 to the printer 11 or the label printer 12.
[0033]
The display 8 is a display device represented by a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 9 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, which is an operation device of the PC 1. The display 8 and the operation unit 9 constitute a user interface of the PC 1, and a user can transmit an instruction to the PC 1 by operating a keyboard, a mouse, or the like while viewing the display 8.
[0034]
The printer 11 is a printer that uses general paper as a print medium, and is a printer registered as a printer that is normally used in the OS 21.
[0035]
The label printer 12 is a printer for printing labels attached to document files, video tapes, etc., stamps, stamp ID labels, and the like. Labels printed by the label printer 12 are more expensive and smaller than ordinary printing paper.
[0036]
In the PC 1, the CPU 2 causes the OS 21, the editor 22, the printer driver 23, and the label printer driver 24 to function in the PC 1 by executing instructions in accordance with the OS 21 stored in the HDD 5 and the program data of the editor 22. it can.
[0037]
The editor 22 is a data editor dedicated to the label printer 12. When printing is performed from the editor 22, the printing is usually performed by the label printer 12. However, a label as a print medium of the label printer 12 is expensive and printing cost is high as compared with ordinary printing paper. Therefore, when performing test printing, it is preferable to perform printing by the printer 11 having a low printing cost. The editor 22 has such a test print function. In the test print function, the respective functional units described later are configured so that printing can be temporarily performed by the printer 12 only when test print is performed. .
[0038]
Next, each functional unit realized by the CPU 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of each functional unit realized by the CPU 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 2 causes the OS 1, the editor 22, the printer driver 23, and the label printer driver 24 to function in the PC 1.
[0039]
The editor 22 has a creation / editing unit 41 and a printing unit 42. The creation / editing unit 41 creates and edits the print content of the label printed by the label printer 12. The print content created by the creation / editing unit 41 is stored as print data in a print data storage unit 43 of a printing unit 42 described later.
[0040]
The printing unit 42 starts its operation in response to a print execution instruction from the user, and prints the print contents created by the creation / editing unit 41 by the printer 11 or the label printer 12. The print unit 42 includes a print data storage unit 43, a printer driver setting unit 44, a determination unit 45, a change unit 46, an evacuation storage unit 47, an adjustment setting unit 48, a data adjustment unit 49, a data transmission unit 50, a driver activation unit 31, It has a start storage unit 32 and a setting storage unit 33.
[0041]
The print data storage unit 43 stores print contents to be printed on labels by the label printer 12 created by the creation and editing unit 41 as print data. The print data stored in the print data storage unit 43 is acquired by the data adjustment unit 49 when printing is performed.
[0042]
The printer driver setting unit 44 sets whether the label printer 12 performs label printing for printing print data on a label or the printer 11 performs test printing for printing print data on general printing paper. At the same time, it instructs execution of printing. The choice between label printing and test printing is determined by the user. The printer driver setting unit 44 starts operation in response to a print execution instruction from the user. When the operation starts, the printer driver setting unit 44 displays a selection screen on the display 8 and waits for an instruction from the user. The selection screen of the printer driver setting section 44 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the selection screen 100.
[0043]
In the selection screen 100, two frames of "printer" and "output" and "print" and "cancel" buttons are arranged. The name of the currently selected printer is displayed in the “Printer” frame of the selection screen 100. The currently selected printer name is obtained by acquiring the printer name corresponding to the driver stored in the startup storage unit 32 described later. In the editor 22, printing is normally performed by the label printer 12, so the driver stored in the startup storage unit 32 as an initial value is the label printer driver 24, and the acquired printer name is "label printer". .
[0044]
In the “output” frame of the selection screen 100, a “label” radio button indicating a print medium to which print data is output and a “trial print” radio button indicating test print are arranged. When the selection screen 100 is activated, the radio button of “label”, which is the initial value, is selected. When the user wants to perform label printing by the label printer 12, the user clicks the "print" button with the "label" radio button selected to execute printing. When the user wants to perform test printing using the printer 11, the user clicks the "Print" button with the "Trial" radio button selected to execute printing.
[0045]
When the “print” button is clicked while the “test print” radio button is selected, first, the storage contents of the setting storage unit 33 described later are stored in the save storage unit 47. The printer 11, which is a printer name normally used in the OS 21, is acquired from the printer name storage unit 21a of the OS 21, and the startup storage unit 32 stores the printer driver 23 for controlling the acquired printer 11. The setting contents of the printer driver 23 are stored in the setting storage unit 33. As a result, the printer that performs printing is the printer 11, and test printing (trial printing) is performed by the printer 11. As described above, since the editor 22 normally prints with the label printer 12, the “label” radio button is selected as an initial value, and a label for controlling the label printer 12 is stored in the startup storage unit 32. The printer driver 24 is stored. Further, the setting contents of the label printer driver 24 are stored in the setting storage unit 33. Therefore, when the "print" button is clicked while the "label" radio button is selected, the printer that performs printing is the label printer 12, and the label printer 12 performs label printing.
When the “print” button is clicked, the data adjustment unit 49 is activated.
When the “cancel” button is clicked, the selection screen 100 is closed without printing, and the printer driver setting unit 44 ends.
[0046]
The determination unit 45 determines whether the printer driver 23 is stored in the activation storage unit 32 by selecting the “trial print” radio button in the printer driver setting unit 44. The result of the determination by the determination unit 45 is output to the change unit 46.
[0047]
The change unit 46 changes the storage content of the activation storage unit 32 and the storage content of the setting storage unit 33 by receiving the determination result from the determination unit 45. When the determination unit 45 determines that the printer driver 23 is stored in the startup storage unit 32 by selecting the “trial print” radio button in the printer driver setting unit 44, the printing by the printer 11 is completed. Later, the storage content of the activation storage unit 32 is changed from the printer driver 23 to the label printer driver 24, and the storage content stored in the save storage unit 47 is acquired, and the storage content of the setting storage unit 33 is changed to the save storage unit. The storage contents are changed to 47.
[0048]
The evacuation storage unit 47 is for storing the setting contents of the label printer driver 24 stored in the setting storage unit 33. The evacuation storage unit 47 stores the storage contents stored in the setting storage unit 33 by the printer driver setting unit 44 and refers to the storage contents by the change unit 46.
[0049]
The adjustment setting section 48 sets the adjustment contents of the print data by the data adjustment section 49. There are two types of print data adjustment: one that adjusts the print data resolution so that the print content has a specific physical size, and one that adjusts the print data resolution so that the print content has a specific resolution. Which method is used to adjust the print data is set by a user's instruction.
[0050]
The data adjustment unit 49 is activated by the printer driver setting unit 44, adjusts the print data acquired from the print data storage unit 43 in accordance with the settings of the adjustment setting unit 45, and outputs the adjusted print data to the data transmission unit 50. Things.
When the print content is set to the specific physical size in the adjustment setting unit 48, the physical size of the print content is set to the specific physical size based on the storage content of the activation storage unit 32 and the storage content of the setting storage unit 33. Adjust the print data to the physical size.
When the print content is set to have a specific resolution in the adjustment setting section 48, the resolution of the print data is adjusted based on the specific resolution. If it is determined from the contents stored in the startup storage unit 32 and the setting storage unit 33 that the adjusted resolution exceeds the resolution at the time of executing printing, readjustment is performed so that the resolution becomes the limit.
[0051]
The data transmission unit 50 outputs the print data input from the data adjustment unit 44 to the printer driver 23 or the label printer driver 24 via the driver activation unit.
[0052]
When the print data is input from the data transmission unit 50, the driver activation unit 31 activates the driver stored in the activation storage unit 32, and transmits the data transmission unit to the driver stored in the activation storage unit 32. The print data input from the printer 50 is output.
[0053]
The activation storage unit 32 stores which driver is activated by the driver activation unit 31. When the editor 22 is activated, the label printer driver 24 is stored in the activation storage unit 32 as an initial value. The stored contents are changed by the printer driver setting unit 44 and the changing unit 46.
[0054]
The setting storage unit 33 stores setting contents related to the driver activated by the driver activation unit 31. When the editor 22 is started, the initial settings of the label printer driver 24 are stored in the setting storage unit 33. The contents stored in the setting storage unit 33 are changed by the printer driver setting unit 44 and the change unit 46.
[0055]
The printer driver 23 is a driver for controlling driving of the printer 11. The printer driver 23 causes the printer 11 to print the print data input from the data transmission unit 50 via the driver activation unit 31 according to the contents stored in the setting storage unit 33.
[0056]
The label printer driver 24 is a driver for controlling driving of the label printer 12. The label printer driver 24 causes the label printer 12 to print the print data input from the data transmission unit 50 via the driver activation unit 31 in accordance with the contents stored in the setting storage unit 33.
[0057]
When the test print is executed in the editor 22 in this manner, the printer setting unit 44 saves the setting contents of the label printer 12 in the save storage unit 47, stores the printer driver 23 in the start-up storage unit 32, and stores the printer driver 23 in the setting storage unit 33. The setting contents of the printer driver 23 are stored. After the test printing by the printer 12 is completed, the changing unit 46 stores the label printer driver 24 in the activation storage unit 32 and stores the setting contents of the label printer driver 24 saved in the save storage unit 47 in the setting storage unit 33. I do. As a result, the user can perform test printing without being conscious of the driver and printer settings.
[0058]
Next, the operation procedure of the editor 22 during printing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the editor 22 when printing.
The process is started by clicking a “print” button on a selection screen 100 displayed by the printer driver setting unit 44 activated by a user's print execution instruction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and it is determined whether the printing to be performed is the test printing. Whether or not to perform test printing is determined based on whether or not the radio button for “test printing” on the selection screen 100 is selected. If the printing is not the test printing (S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S120, where the driver activating unit 31 activates the label printer driver 24 stored in the activation storage unit 32, and stores the label printer driver 24 in the setting storage unit 33. The label printer 12 is controlled in accordance with the setting contents of the label printer driver 24 to perform label printing. Thereafter, the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends.
[0059]
If the printing to be performed is the test printing (S110: YES), the process proceeds to step S130, and the setting content of the label printer driver 24 stored in the setting storage unit 33 is stored in the save storage unit 47. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, and the printer name (printer 11) of the printer normally used by the OS 21 is acquired from the printer name storage unit 21a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S150, in which the setting contents of the printer driver 23 for controlling the driving of the printer 11 having the printer name acquired in step S140 are acquired. Then, the process proceeds to step S160, where the printer driver 23 is stored in the activation storage unit 32, and the setting content acquired in step S150 is stored in the setting storage unit 33.
[0060]
Then, the process proceeds to step S170, and it is determined whether or not the print content is set to have a specific resolution in the adjustment setting unit 44. If the print content is not set to the specific resolution (S170: NO), the process proceeds to step S180, and whether or not the print content is set to the specific physical size in the adjustment setting unit 44 is determined. Judge. If the print content is set to have the specific physical size (S180: YES), the process proceeds to step S190, and the data adjustment unit 45 adjusts the print data to have the specific physical size. After that, it moves to step S230. If the print content is not set to have the specific physical size (S180: NO), the process directly proceeds to step S230. If it is determined in step S170 that the print content has a specific resolution (S170: YES), the process proceeds to step S200, and the adjustment setting unit 44 sets the print content to have a specific physical size. It is determined whether or not it has been performed. If the print content is not set to the specific physical size (S200: NO), the process proceeds to step S210, and the data adjustment unit 45 adjusts the print data to the specific resolution. After that, it moves to step S230. If the print content is set to have a specific physical size (S200: YES), the process proceeds to step S220, where the data adjustment unit 45 converts the print data to a specific resolution and a specific physical size. adjust. After that, it moves to step S230.
[0061]
In step S230, a test is performed by activating the printer driver 23 stored in the activation storage unit 32 by the driver activation unit 31 and controlling the printer 11 in accordance with the settings of the printer driver 23 stored in the configuration storage unit 33. Perform printing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, where the changing unit 46 changes the storage content of the activation storage unit 32 to the label printer driver 24 and the storage content of the setting storage unit 33 to the content stored in the evacuation storage unit 47. The flowchart of FIG.
[0062]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the test printing can be performed by a simple operation, and the setting of the driver is changed by the changing unit 46 after the test printing. A test print of the print content printed by the printer 12 can be easily performed by the printer 11 having a low printing cost.
[0063]
Further, since the setting contents of the label printer driver 24 are stored in the setting storage unit 33 after the test printing is completed by the changing unit 46, even when the test printing is performed, the settings such as the paper size and the printing direction are completed after the test printing is completed. There is no need to start over.
[0064]
Further, since the physical size of the print data can be adjusted by the data adjustment unit 49, even when test printing is performed by the label printer 12 and the printer 11 having different resolutions, the same size is used for printing to confirm the balance of the entire print content. can do.
[0065]
In addition, since the resolution of the print data can be adjusted by the data adjustment unit 49, even when test printing is performed by the label printer 12 and the printer 11 having a different resolution, the print content is adjusted by adjusting the resolution so that the number of dots becomes the same. The exact shape of can be confirmed.
[0066]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 45 determines whether or not the storage content of the startup storage unit 32 has been changed by the printer driver setting unit 44 of the editor 22, and the change unit 46 starts up according to the determination result of the determination unit 45. Although the configuration for changing the storage content of the storage unit 32 is not limited to such a configuration, the change unit 46 unconditionally changes the setting content of the startup storage unit 32 when printing by the printer 11 is completed. A configuration may be adopted.
[0067]
Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the setting content of the label printer driver 24 is stored in the save storage unit 47 after the test printing is completed, and the storage content stored in the save storage unit is stored in the setting storage unit 33 after the test printing is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The label printer driver 24 changed by the change unit 46 after the test printing is completed without using the save storage unit 33 and taking over the setting contents of the printer driver 23. A configuration may be used, or a configuration in which the setting unit of the label printer driver 24 stores the initial value setting contents by the change unit 46 may be used.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, the print data can be adjusted by the data adjustment unit 49 so that the print content has a specific physical size or a specific resolution. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Instead, the configuration may be such that only a specific physical size or a specific resolution can be adjusted, or a configuration in which print data is not adjusted at all.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, the label printer 12 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and another printer having a high printing cost may be used. An apparatus in which an image is formed on some expensive medium may be used.
[0070]
Further, in the present embodiment, the test printing is performed by the printer 11 registered as a printer normally used in the OS 21. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. A configuration in which test printing is performed by a printer that is not registered, or a configuration in which test printing is performed by another printer with low printing cost may be used. Further, an apparatus other than a printer that forms an image on some medium having a low running cost may be used.
[0071]
In the present embodiment, the configuration using the editor 22 for the label printer 12 is used. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration using application software dedicated to test printing may be used. A configuration using other application software may be used.
[0072]
In the present embodiment, the PC 1 functions as a print control device, and the printer 11 and the label printer 12 are connected to the PC 1. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The printer 11 may be connected to the label printer 12 by functioning as a control device, or the printer 11 and the label printer 12 may be connected to an independent dedicated print control device.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, two printers, a printer 11 and a label printer 12, are connected to the PC 1 at the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and any one of the printers can be selected. A configuration in which the connection is established may be made.
[0074]
Further, in the present embodiment, Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) is used as the operating system, but another OS may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC that functions as an image forming control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of each functional unit realized by a CPU shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a selection screen displayed by activating a printer driver setting unit illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the editor shown in FIG. 1 at the time of printing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 PC
2 CPU
5 HDD
11 Printer
12 Label printer
21 OS
22 Editor
23 Printer Driver (Second Driving Means)
24 Label Printer Driver (First Driving Means)
31 Driver Starter (Starter)
32 Startup storage unit
33 setting storage unit (setting storage means)
44 Printer driver setting section (setting means)
45 Judgment unit (judgment means)
46 Change unit (change means)
47 evacuation storage unit (evacuation storage means)
48 Adjustment setting section
49 Data Adjusting Unit (Image Forming Data Adjusting Means)
50 data transmission unit (image formation data transmission means)

Claims (12)

A first image forming apparatus that forms an image on a first image forming medium, and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image on a second image forming medium different from the first image forming medium A controllable image forming control device,
First drive control means for controlling the drive of the first image forming apparatus;
Second drive control means for controlling the drive of the second image forming apparatus;
Setting means for setting which of the first drive control means and the second drive control means to be selectable before execution of image formation;
Activating means for activating one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means in accordance with the setting contents of the setting means at the time of image formation execution;
When the second drive control unit is started by the start unit, after the image formation on the second image forming medium is completed, the setting content of the setting unit is transmitted from the second drive control unit to the second drive control unit. An image forming control apparatus, comprising: a change unit for changing to one drive control unit. When the second drive control unit completes image formation by the second image forming apparatus, the setting content of the setting unit for the image formation is changed according to a user operation on a specific image forming data editor. And a means for determining whether a change has been made based on the
The change unit changes the setting content of the setting unit to the second content when the determination unit determines that the setting content of the setting unit has been changed based on a user operation on the specific image forming data editor. 2. The image forming control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit is changed from the first drive control unit to the first drive control unit. A setting storage unit for storing setting contents relating to one of the first drive control unit and the second drive control unit that is activated by the activation unit;
Evacuation storage means for storing setting contents of the first drive control means,
The change unit, when changing the setting content of the setting unit to the first drive control unit, changes the storage content stored in the setting storage unit to the first drive control stored in the evacuation storage unit. 3. The image forming control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming control apparatus rewrites the setting contents of the unit. An image forming data transmitting unit for transmitting image forming data to one of the first driving control unit and the second driving control unit that is started by the starting unit;
When the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the physical size of the image formed by the second image forming apparatus is changed to the physical size of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus. Image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so as to be the same as the physical size of the formed content,
The image forming data transmitting unit transmits the image forming data adjusted by the image forming data adjusting unit to the second driving control unit when the starting unit activates the second driving control unit. The image forming control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed. An image forming data transmitting unit for transmitting image forming data to one of the first driving control unit and the second driving control unit that is started by the starting unit;
When the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the number of dots of the image forming content to be image-formed by the second image forming apparatus is reduced by the number of dots of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus. Image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so as to be the same as the number of dots of the formation content,
The image forming data transmitting unit transmits the image forming data adjusted by the image forming data adjusting unit to the second driving control unit when the starting unit activates the second driving control unit. The image forming control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed. The image forming control device according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming device is a label image forming device. A first image forming apparatus that forms an image on a first image forming medium, and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image on a second image forming medium different from the first image forming medium A controllable program,
First drive control means for controlling the drive of the first image forming apparatus;
A second drive control unit for controlling the drive of the second image forming apparatus;
Activating means for activating one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means in accordance with the setting contents of the setting means at the time of image formation execution;
Setting means for setting which of the first drive control means and the second drive control means to be selectable before execution of image formation; and
When the second drive control unit is started by the start unit, after the image formation on the second image forming medium is completed, the setting content of the setting unit is transmitted from the second drive control unit to the second drive control unit. A program that causes a drive control unit to function as a change unit. When the second drive control unit completes image formation by the second image forming apparatus, the setting content of the setting unit for the image formation is changed according to a user operation on a specific image forming data editor. The computer further functions as a judgment means for judging whether it has been changed based on the
The change unit changes the setting content of the setting unit to the second content when the determination unit determines that the setting content of the setting unit has been changed based on a user operation on the specific image forming data editor. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein the program is changed from the first drive control unit to the first drive control unit. Setting storage means for storing setting contents relating to one of the first drive control means and the second drive control means which is activated by the activation means; and
Causing the computer to further function as evacuation storage means for storing the setting contents of the first drive control means;
The change unit, when changing the setting content of the setting unit to the first drive control unit, changes the storage content stored in the setting storage unit to the first drive control stored in the evacuation storage unit. 9. The program according to claim 7, wherein the program is overwritten with setting contents of the means. An image forming data transmitting unit for transmitting image forming data to one of the first driving control unit and the second driving control unit that is activated by the activation unit;
When the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the physical size of the image formed by the second image forming apparatus is changed to the physical size of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus. Further causing the computer to function as image forming data adjustment means for adjusting the image forming data to be the same as the physical size of the formation content,
The image forming data transmitting unit transmits the image forming data adjusted by the image forming data adjusting unit to the second driving control unit when the starting unit activates the second driving control unit. The program according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the program is executed. An image forming data transmitting unit for transmitting image forming data to one of the first driving control unit and the second driving control unit that is activated by the activation unit;
When the second drive control unit is activated by the activation unit, the number of dots of the image forming content to be image-formed by the second image forming apparatus is reduced by the number of dots of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus. Causing the computer to further function as image forming data adjusting means for adjusting the image forming data so as to be the same as the number of dots of the formation content,
The image forming data transmitting unit transmits the image forming data adjusted by the image forming data adjusting unit to the second driving control unit when the starting unit activates the second driving control unit. The program according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the program is executed. The program according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first image forming apparatus is a label image forming apparatus.

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