JP2004302978A - Printer control method, printer driver, and printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a a printer driver capable of selecting print setting information while confirming a setting value registered in a printer and a technique for executing print by use of it. <P>SOLUTION: The printer driver controls a printer device by executing a first process for sending an inquiry for the set value of print setting information registered in the printer device to the printer device; a second process for presenting at least the set value received from the printer device to accept selection of print setting information from a user; and a third process for generating a print job based on the print setting information selected by the user and transmitting it to the printer device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer driver and a technique for executing printing using the printer driver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The setting information (hereinafter, referred to as “print setting information”) to be referred to when the printer executes the printing process includes image processing information (image processing information such as a type of printing paper, a printing resolution, a color profile and a tone curve, for example). There are various items such as parameters.
[0003]
Conventionally, such print setting information is generally selected by a user on a printer driver mounted on a host device. In this case, for example, as shown in an example of a presentation screen shown in FIG. In many cases, a configuration in which options such as “use printer default settings” and “use user set values” are presented for each item and the user receives a selection is adopted.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-147118 [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In some printer systems, a setting value of print setting information registered in the printer (for example, a default setting value) can be changed by directly operating the printer. In such a printer system, when a certain user changes a set value by directly operating the printer, another user selects "Use default printer settings" on the printer driver without knowing the change. In this case, there is a problem in that printing is performed with reference to a setting value different from the value assumed by the other user.
[0005]
As a result of considering the above problem, the inventor of the present application only presents an option such as “use default settings in the printer” in the conventional printer driver, and what setting values are actually set in the printer by default. It has come to be considered that the cause is that it is not possible to confirm whether or not the setting is registered.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver capable of confirming setting values registered in a printer and selecting print setting information, and a technique for executing printing using the printer driver. I do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printer control method according to the present invention includes a first step of inquiring a printer device about a set value of print setting information registered in the printer device, and presenting at least a set value received from the printer device to print from a user. The method includes a second step of receiving selection of setting information and a third step of generating a print job based on the print setting information selected by the user and transmitting the print job to the printer device. According to this configuration, the user can instruct the execution of the printing process while checking the print setting information currently registered in the printer.
[0008]
Preferably, the setting value includes a setting value set as a default of the print setting information in the printer device, or a setting value registered by the user in the printer device.
[0009]
Preferably, the print setting information includes at least one of a type of print paper, a print resolution, and image processing information.
[0010]
The printer driver of the present invention has a function of inquiring the printer device of the setting value of the print setting information registered in the printer device, and presenting at least the setting value received from the printer device to allow the user to input the print setting information. It has a function of receiving a selection and a function of generating a print job based on print setting information selected by a user and transmitting the print job to a printer device. When printing is performed using such a printer driver, the user can instruct execution of print processing while checking print setting information currently registered in the printer.
[0011]
The printer system of the present invention is a printer system including a printer control device and a printer device configured to be able to communicate with the printer control device via a communication network, wherein the printer control device is A function for inquiring the setting values of the print setting information registered in the printer device, a function of presenting at least the setting values received from the printer device, and accepting a selection of the print setting information from the user, and a function of the printing selected by the user. A function of generating a print job based on the setting information and transmitting the print job to the printer device. In such a printer system, the user can instruct the execution of print processing while checking the print setting information currently registered in the printer via the printer control device.
[0012]
A program according to the present invention causes each step of the printer control method according to the present invention to be executed on a computer. The program of the present invention can be installed or loaded on a computer through various recording media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory.
[0013]
In this specification, “means” does not simply mean physical means, but also includes a case where functions of the “means” are realized by software. Further, the function of one “means” may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more “means” may be realized by one physical means.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 1 may be a host device 10 and a communication network (LAN, the Internet, a dedicated line, a packet communication network, a combination thereof, or the like, including both wired and wireless communication). ) And a printer device (image forming device) 20 configured to be able to communicate with the host device 10 through the printer.
[0015]
The host device 10 is configured to include hardware such as a CPU (processor), a ROM, a RAM, an I / O controller, and a communication interface. The CPU is configured to be able to access each unit via an internal bus. I have.
[0016]
The host device 10 has the same function as an information processing device such as a normal personal computer. For example, the host device 10 accepts various inputs from a user via an I / O controller or the like / input / output means 11 for outputting information, and transmits / receives various data to / from another device via a communication interface. A communication unit 12, a printer driver unit 13 for controlling a printer, and the like are provided (see FIG. 2). Each of these units is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a ROM or a RAM in the host device 10 or an external storage medium.
[0017]
Here, the printer driver 13 included in the host device 10 has the same functional configuration as a normal printer driver. For example, a print job is created based on a predetermined printer control language in response to a print request from an application program running on the host device 10, and the print job is transmitted to the printer device 20.
[0018]
However, as described later, the printer driver unit 13 of the present embodiment inquires of the printer device 20 about print setting information, presents the resulting print setting information to the user, and The configuration differs from the conventional configuration in that the configuration is such that the specification regarding the print setting information is received.
[0019]
The printer device 20 includes a paper feed mechanism that supplies paper into the printer, a print engine that performs printing, and a power mechanism that includes a paper discharge mechanism that discharges paper out of the printer. The print engine includes a paper feeding mechanism, a carriage mechanism, a print head, and the like.
[0020]
As a print engine, various print engines corresponding to a serial printer that prints in units of characters, a line printer that prints in units of lines, a page printer that prints in units of pages, such as an ink jet printer or a thermal transfer printer, can be used. .
[0021]
It is an information processing unit including a CPU (processor), a ROM, a RAM, an LCD panel and an LCD controller, a communication interface, and the like that controls these power mechanism units to perform a printing operation. The CPU is configured to be able to access each unit via an internal bus, and controls a power mechanism to actually perform a printing operation according to a print job sent from the host device 10 via a communication interface, for example. Let Note that the power mechanism unit may independently include a CPU. In this case, the CPU of the power mechanism unit communicates with the CPU of the information processing unit via a parallel interface or the like to control the print engine. The printing operation is performed.
[0022]
The configuration and operation of the printer 20 are basically the same as the configuration and operation of the conventional printer (see FIG. 2). For example, the printer device 20 includes a receiving unit 21 that receives a print job described in a predetermined printer control language such as PostScript, analyzes the print job, and generates a raster-format print image for one band or one page. Analyzing / image generating means 22 for storing the print image in a predetermined unit (for example, for one pass) from the image buffer to the print engine based on the control command in the print job, and controlling the print engine. And a print control unit 23 for executing printing. Each of these units is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a ROM or a RAM in the printer device 20 or an external storage medium.
[0023]
In the case of a page printer or the like, a configuration may be adopted in which the interpretation result of a print job is stored in the form of an intermediate code, which is developed into a print image and transferred according to the progress of printing.
[0024]
The printer device 20 further includes a storage unit 24 for storing print setting information.
[0025]
The print setting information is, as described above, setting information to be referred to when the printer executes the printing process, and includes various types of image processing information such as a type of printing paper, a printing resolution, a color profile and a tone curve. Item exists.
[0026]
The printer device 20 stores, for each item, a plurality of setting values such as a setting value of a default setting and a setting value set by a user, and refers to a setting value designated based on a print job among these. And execute the printing process.
[0027]
Hereinafter, a printing procedure in the printer system 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Note that each step (including partial steps without reference numerals) can be executed in an arbitrary order or in parallel without changing the processing contents.
[0028]
(Printing procedure: Fig. 3)
Upon receiving a print request from an external or an application program running on the host device 10, the printer driver 13 of the host device 10 executes the following processing.
[0029]
The printer driver unit 13 inquires of the printer device 20 about the set value of the print setting information registered inside the printer device 20 via the communication unit 12 (that is, requests the transmission of the set value) (S100). ).
[0030]
When receiving an inquiry from the printer driver unit 13, the printer device 20 refers to the storage unit 24 to read out the setting values (default setting values and user setting values) of the print setting information, and reads them out from the host device 20 (printer driver unit). 13) (S101). At this time, not only the set value but also additional information such as a set date and a setter may be transmitted.
[0031]
The printer driver unit 13 receives a setting value or the like from the printer device 20 via the communication unit 12, presents the received setting value at least in a specifiable manner, and receives designation of print setting information and an instruction to execute printing from the user. (S102). At this time, if the print setting information is also stored inside the host device 10, it is also presented as an option.
[0032]
Here, the “presentation” in the present embodiment is not limited to the case where the set value is always presented, but is a form in which options are presented and specified when the user displays a menu or the like, for example, in a pull-down menu format. Is also included.
[0033]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting value presentation screen. This example is a presentation screen in which default setting values (plain paper, 300 dpi, plain paper 300 dpi (Ver1.0)) among the setting values received from the printer device 20 are specified. Instead of presenting the use of default settings as in the past, specific default setting values such as plain paper are presented, so the user checks the settings of the print setting information currently registered in the printer Printing can be instructed. In this example, the specified setting value is a default setting value, and additional information such as profile information is also displayed. However, these displays are not necessarily required.
[0034]
When receiving the designation of the print setting information and the print execution instruction from the user, the printer driver unit 13 generates a print job and transmits it to the printer device 20 via the communication unit 12 (S103). If the user instructs print execution without specifying the print setting information, the print job may be generated assuming that default options have been specified.
[0035]
The print job is configured to include designated print setting information, data to be printed described in a printer control language, and the like, as in the related art. However, when the setting value received from the printer device 20 is specified, since the setting value is stored in the printer device 20, it is not necessary to include the setting value in the print job. The information to be specified (for example, if the setting value is the setting value of the default setting, information of "use default setting") may be included in the print job and transmitted to the printer device 20.
[0036]
When receiving the print job from the printer driver unit 13, the printer device 20 executes a printing process based on the specified print setting information (S104). For example, a print job is analyzed, color correction is performed based on a specified color profile, a raster-format print image is generated for one band or one page at a specified print resolution, and stored in an image buffer. Further, for example, based on a control command in a print job, a print image of a predetermined unit (for example, one pass) is transferred from an image buffer to a print engine. Execute printing.
[0037]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the printer 20 is inquired of the print setting information, the set value of the print setting information obtained as a result is presented to the user, and the user specifies the print setting information. Is received, the user can instruct the execution of the print processing while checking the print setting information currently registered in the printer. Under such a configuration, even if a certain user changes the set value by direct operation on the printer, other users can instruct the execution of the print processing while checking the changed set value. There is no problem that printing is executed with reference to a setting value different from the set value, and an appropriate printing result can be always obtained according to the user's intention.
[0038]
(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be applied in various modifications.
[0039]
For example, a configuration may be adopted in which print setting information can be specified in page units instead of print job units.
[0040]
Further, for example, when the printer driver unit presents the set values, a configuration may be adopted in which at least two set values of printing paper, resolution, and image processing information (such as a profile) are combined (or linked).
[0041]
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer device 20 is configured to execute processes such as interpretation of a print job, generation of a print image, and the like. It may be configured to execute all. In this case, since the print setting information relating to the processing executed by the host device 10 can be managed or stored by the host device 10 itself, the printer driver unit 13 instructs the printer device 20 to execute the processing executed by the printer device 20. It is sufficient to inquire about print setting information related to.
[0042]
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer device 20 is configured to store both the default setting and the user setting of the print setting information, but may be configured to store only one of them. For example, when user settings such as a color profile can be made via the printer driver 13, the user settings can be managed or stored in the printer driver 13 instead of / in addition to the printer device 20. . In this case, it suffices that the printer driver unit 13 inquires of the printer device 20 about print setting information in which setting values are stored only in the printer device 20.
[0043]
Further, for example, when part or all of the print setting information is specified in the print target data, a configuration may be adopted in which a print job is generated based on the specification in the print target data. However, also in this case, when the designation in the print target data indicates the use of the setting value stored in the printer device 20 (for example, using the default setting stored in the printer, etc.). If the print job is designated, the printer 20 makes an inquiry to the printer device 20, presents the setting value of the print setting information obtained as a result to the user, receives confirmation of the setting value from the user, and then executes the print job. It is desirable to perform generation and the like.
[0044]
Finally, the printer control technique of the present invention is applied to various information processing apparatuses having image forming functions (copying machines, fax machines, handy machines, etc.) in addition to devices generally called printers such as ink jet printers, laser printers, and label printers. Terminal, multifunction printer / scanner, etc.). Further, the present invention is also applicable to a case where characters are output by a device other than a printer, for example, a personal computer or a character display device. In this case, the printer driver in the above embodiment can be grasped as a driver corresponding to the information processing device and the like, and the print data and print image can be grasped as output data and output image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer system 1 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a host device 10 and a printer device 20.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing procedure in the printer system 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting information presentation screen according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting information presentation screen according to the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printer system, 10 host device, 11 input / output means, 12 communication means, 13 printer driver means, 20 printer device, 21 reception means, 22 analysis / image generation means, 23 print control means, 24 print setting information storage means

Claims (7)

A first step of inquiring a printer device about a set value of print setting information registered in the printer device;
A second step of presenting at least the setting value received from the printer device and receiving a selection of print setting information from a user;
A third step of generating a print job based on the print setting information selected by the user and transmitting the print job to the printer device. 2. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the setting value includes a setting value set as a default of print setting information in the printer device. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the setting value includes a setting value registered in a printer by a user. 4. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the print setting information includes at least one of a type of print paper, a print resolution, and image processing information. 5. A function for inquiring the printer device about the setting value of the print setting information registered in the printer device,
A function of presenting at least the setting value received from the printer device and receiving a selection of print setting information from a user;
A print driver that generates a print job based on print setting information selected by a user and transmits the print job to a printer device. A printer system including a printer control device and a printer device configured to be able to communicate with the printer control device via a communication network, wherein the printer control device includes:
A function for inquiring the printer device about the setting value of the print setting information registered in the printer device,
A function of presenting at least the setting value received from the printer device and receiving a selection of print setting information from a user;
A printer system for generating a print job based on print setting information selected by a user and transmitting the print job to a printer device. A program for causing a computer to execute the printer control method according to claim 1.

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