JP2006018401A - Information processor and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To designate print setting contents even if a printer is not connected to an information processor, and to confirm the print setting contents without performing repeated work when a plurality of images are present. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor 201 displays images stored in a storage medium 102 on a display 105' one after another even in the state that the printer is not connected, allows selection of the image desired to be printed, and displays a print setting screen for setting a print sheet number, a printer sheet size or the like. In a state that at least one piece of print data is produced and that the image stored in the storage medium 102 is displayed on the display 105', the image corresponding to the produced print data or the print setting contents are list-displayed on the display 105' by prescribed operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a computer program for recording or reproducing image data.

  In a conventional information processing apparatus such as an electronic camera, for example, a system for connecting a printer and printing image data stored in a storage medium has been put into practical use. In such a system, when there are a plurality of images to be printed, in order to check the individual print setting contents, select one image, check the print setting contents on the menu screen, etc., and then the next image. It is necessary to repeatedly perform operations such as selecting and confirming the print setting contents.

  In order to improve the decrease in operation efficiency due to such repeated work, in a state where a printer compatible with a network and an information processing apparatus are connected to each other, information related to an image to be printed and related information on a print job are displayed. A system for displaying a list has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  However, on such a list display, only print job deletion, suspension, priority execution, etc. can be changed, and when the information processing apparatus and the printer are not connected, the print setting contents etc. can be changed. It was not possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, the print job for which printing has been completed has been automatically deleted from the list display (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-75747 A JP-A-10-301900

  As described above, a conventional information processing apparatus such as an electronic camera has a problem that the contents of print settings cannot be changed when a printer is not connected.

  Further, even when the information processing apparatus and the printer are connected, there is a problem that the print setting contents of the print data that has already been output to the printer cannot be changed and printing cannot be performed according to the changed print setting contents.

  In addition, since the print job is deleted when printing is completed, there is a problem that the print setting contents once set cannot be reused when reprinting is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and enables specification of print setting contents even when a printer is not connected to the information processing apparatus, and there are a plurality of images. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to confirm the print setting contents without repeating the work. It is another object of the present invention to change the print setting contents of print data that has already been output to a printer, and to perform printing according to the changed print setting contents. It is another object of the present invention to make it possible to reuse the contents of print settings once set even after printing is completed.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus for recording or reproducing image data, and accepts designation of an image to be printed and its print setting contents via a display screen even when the printing apparatus is not connected. Means, print data creation means for creating print data in accordance with the image designated by the designation means and print setting contents, an identification image of the image corresponding to the print data created by the print data creation means, and its print settings The present invention is characterized in that it includes list display means for displaying a list of contents on a display screen.
The printing system of the present invention is a printing system that includes an information processing apparatus that records or reproduces image data and a printing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus prints via a display screen. Designation means for accepting designation of an image to be printed and its print setting contents, print data creation means for creating print data in accordance with the image and print setting contents designated by the designation means, and the print processing status of the print job An acquisition means acquired from the print data, an association means for associating the print data created by the print data creation means with a print job of the printing apparatus, and identification of an image corresponding to the print data created by the print data creation means The present invention is characterized in that it includes a list display means for displaying a list of images, their print setting contents and the print processing status on the display screen.
The computer program of the present invention is a computer program used in an information processing apparatus that records or reproduces image data, and includes an image to be printed via a display screen and its print setting contents even when the printing apparatus is not connected. A designation process for accepting designation, a print data creation process for creating print data in accordance with the image designated in the designation process and the print setting contents, and an identification image for an image corresponding to the print data created in the print data creation process And a list display process for displaying a list of the print setting contents on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to specify an image to be printed and its print setting contents even when the printing apparatus is not connected to the information processing apparatus. Further, since the identification image of the designated image and the print setting contents can be displayed in a list, the print setting contents can be confirmed on the list display.

  In addition, when the printing apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus, in addition to the identification image of the designated image and the print setting contents, a list of print processing statuses such as printed, currently printing, and unprinted can be displayed. it can. On the list display, for example, for print jobs before printing, it is possible not only to cancel printing and pause processing, but also to change the print settings and print, or to print jobs that have already been printed. On the other hand, if the print settings can be changed and reprinting can be performed, the use efficiency can be improved.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, creation of print data in a state where the information processing apparatus and the printer are not connected will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an information processing apparatus such as an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied. The image processing apparatus includes an input interface 101 for inputting image data and the like.

  Also, a storage medium 102 that stores image data and the like input from the input interface 101, and a storage medium control that controls writing of data to a predetermined position of the storage medium 102, reading of data stored in the storage medium 102, and the like Unit 103.

  In addition, a video memory 104 used as a display memory of the display unit 105 and a display unit 105 including a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying an image of image data stored in the storage medium 102 and related information thereof are provided.

  In addition, the user's instruction by pressing the button or the like is converted into a digital signal, and data is input / output between the input unit 106 that transmits the signal to the control unit 108 and an external device such as the external display device 109. An input / output interface 107 used in the case, an input interface 101, a storage medium control unit 103, a video memory 104, an input / output interface 107, and a control unit 108 that controls the operation of the display unit 105 are provided.

  The control unit 108 has a ROM therein, and programs and the like necessary for operation control are stored in the ROM. These programs are configured from a control program that stores image data and the like input from the input interface 101 in the storage medium 102 and displays an image of the image data stored in the storage medium 102 on the display unit 105. .

  The input interface 101 is an interface for inputting image data and the like, and the image data input from the input interface 101 is written to the storage medium 102 after a known process by the storage medium control unit 103. The storage medium 102 is typically configured with a magnetic disk, an optical disk such as a DVD, or a semiconductor memory, but the configuration is not limited.

  The display unit 105 displays, for example, an image of image data stored in the storage medium 102 and related information, a menu screen such as a print setting screen, and the like. The video memory 104 is used as a display memory for a menu screen such as an image or a print setting screen on the display unit 105. In order to display the data stored in the storage medium 102 on the display unit 105, desired data in the storage medium 102 is read by the storage medium control unit 103, temporarily stored in the video memory 104, and then displayed on the display unit 105.

  When the user presses a button or the like, the input unit 106 converts the instruction into a digital signal and transmits the digital signal to the control unit 108. The control unit 108 performs operation control or processing based on the transmitted signal. Desired operation control or processing can be performed by this series of operations.

  The input / output interface 107 is used to input / output data between external devices such as the external display device 109, and the external display device 109 displays an image and related information.

  FIG. 2 is an example of an external view of the information processing apparatus 201. The display 105 ′ corresponds to the display unit 105 shown in FIG. 1, and displays, for example, an image and related information, a menu screen such as a print setting screen, and the like. Note that these screens may be displayed not on the display 105 ′ but on the external display device 109.

  The cross buttons 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d are buttons for moving a cursor to be described later for making a desired selection. The button 203a is moved up, the button 203b is moved right, the button 203c is moved down, and the button 203d is moved to the left. Move the cursor to each. The determination button 202 is a button that is used, for example, when determining the contents of change or when switching the display of an image or a menu screen displayed on the display 105 ′.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations for designating an image to be printed, performing print settings for the image, and creating print data necessary for printing. The print data is data that is output from the information processing apparatus 201 to the printer when printing is performed, and includes, for example, an image and print setting contents to be described later.

  First, the user displays the images stored in the storage medium 102 one after another on the display 105 ′ (step S301). When the image to be printed is displayed, the determination button 202 is pressed (step S302), and the image to be printed is selected. When the enter button 202 is not pressed (step S302), the image reproduction operation in step S301 can be repeated.

  When the enter button 202 is pressed, a print setting screen for setting the number of prints, print paper size, and the like is displayed on the display 105 ′ (step S303). On the print setting screen, print settings such as the number of prints and the print paper size are set for the image to be printed (step S304).

  When the print setting is completed, print data is created according to the print setting contents set by the operation of step S304 by the print button selection operation described later (step S305) (step S306). When the creation of the print data is completed, an image corresponding to the created print data is displayed on the display 105 ′ (step S307).

  When an image to be printed is selected by the operation in step S302, but it is desired to stop printing this image, the print setting contents set in the operation in step S304 by selecting a cancel button described later (step S305). Is discarded, the creation of the print data is stopped, and an image corresponding to the print data for which the creation has been stopped is displayed on the display 105 ′ (step S307).

  If there is another image to be printed (step S308), the process returns to step S301 and the same processing operation is repeated. If there is no other image to be printed (step S308), the print data creation process ends.

  Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described using an external view of the information processing apparatus. First, the image reproduction process of step S301 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image stored in the storage medium 102 is displayed on the display 105 ′. When the cross button 203b or 203d is pressed when there are a plurality of images stored in the storage medium 102, an image different from the currently displayed image is displayed on the display 105 ′. By repeating this operation, the image stored in the storage medium 102 can be confirmed and the image to be printed can be selected.

  Next, the determination process of the determination button 202 in step S302 and the print setting screen display process in step S303 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. By the operation in step S301, an image to be printed is displayed on the display 105 ′, and by pressing the enter button 202, a print setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 105 ′. The print setting screen is a screen for setting conditions for printing. If the enter button 202 is not pressed, the operation in step S301 can be repeated.

  First, the details of the print setting screen displayed on the display 105 ′ as shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The number of prints, the border, the paper size, and the like are items that determine printing conditions. These are collectively referred to as print setting items. The print setting item 501 is the number of prints, the print setting item 502 is a border, and the print setting item 503 is a paper size.

  In addition, the print setting content indicates the specific content of the print setting item. For example, the print setting content 504 that is the specific content of the number of prints in the print setting item 501 is the number of prints such as one, two, etc., and “1” is set as the number of prints in the illustrated example. The print setting content 505, which is the specific content of the border of the print setting item 502, is the presence / absence of a border of the image to be printed, such as “Yes” or “No”. The print setting content 506, which is the specific content of the paper size of the print setting item 503, is a paper size used for printing such as L size, A4, postcard, etc. In the illustrated example, the paper size is set to “L size”. Yes.

  The cursor 509 can be moved by pressing the cross buttons 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d to the position of the desired print setting content, and the content can be selected. The print button 507 is selected by moving the cursor 509 to the print button 507 and pressing the enter button 202, and print data is created in accordance with the designated print setting content. The cancel button 508 is selected by moving the cursor 509 to the cancel button 508 and pressing the enter button 202, whereby print data creation is stopped.

  Next, the print setting content designation processing in step S304 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the print setting screen displayed on the display 105 ′ in FIG. 5, the user presses the cross button 203a or 203c and moves the cursor 509 to the print setting content to be changed, thereby selecting the print setting content. When changing the selected content, the determination button 202 is pressed to make the print setting content changeable. The changeable state can be confirmed by changing the color of the cursor 509, for example. In a state where the print setting content can be changed, the print setting content can be changed by pressing the cross button 203a or 203c. In order to determine the changed print setting content, the determination button 202 is pressed.

  For example, when changing the number of prints of the print setting content 504 that is one of the print setting contents, first, the cross button 203a or 203c is used to move the cursor 509 to the print setting content 504 and press the enter button 202. As a result, the color of the cursor 509 changes, and the print setting content 504 can be changed. In this state, the number of print settings 504 can be increased by pressing the cross button 203a, and the number of print settings 504 can be decreased by pressing the cross button 203c. After changing to the desired number of prints, the print setting content 504 can be determined by pressing the determination button 202.

  With the same operation, the presence / absence of a border of the print image (print setting content 505) and the paper size of the print paper (print setting content 506) can be changed.

  Next, the print data creation determination process in step S305, the print data creation process in step S306, and the image reproduction process in step S307 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When the print setting content specification is completed by the operation of step S304, the cursor 509 is moved to the print button 507, and the enter button 202 is pressed to generate print data according to the specified print setting content and store it in the storage medium 102. Is done. After creating the print data, the image on which the print data has been created is displayed on the display 105 ′.

  If the cursor 509 is moved to the cancel button 508 without selecting the print button 507 and the enter button 202 is pressed, the print setting contents designated so far are discarded and the creation of print data is stopped. After the generation of the print data is canceled, the image for which the generation of the print data is canceled is displayed on the display 105 ′.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, at least one print data is created by the operation of step S <b> 306 and stored in the storage medium 102. A display method will be described. In a state where at least one print data is created and an image stored in the storage medium 102 is displayed on the display 105 ′, by pressing and holding the enter button 202, the display 105 ′ can be operated in step S306. It is possible to display a list of images and print setting contents corresponding to the print data created in this way. Hereinafter, this list display is referred to as a print information list display. The long press here means, for example, that the button is continuously pressed for a long time, but the print information list display may be displayed by another method.

  The items displayed on the display 105 ′ in FIG. 6 will be described. The print setting item 601 is an image, the print setting item 602 is the number of prints, the print setting item 603 is a border, and the print setting item 604 is a print setting indicating a print paper size. It is an item. The image 601a, the image 601b, and the image 601c are reduced images (thumbnail images) from which the print data is created by the operation in step S306. Note that as the images 601a to 601c, icon images of images corresponding to the print data may be displayed. Note that print setting items displayed in a list on the display 105 ′ may be changed according to the user's preference.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a series of operations for changing the print setting contents corresponding to the print data created by the operation of step S306 in FIG. 3 and updating the print data. First, the user displays a print information list display on the display 105 ′ by the method described above (step S901).

  Then, by pressing and holding the enter button 202 (step S902), the cursor is displayed on the display 105 ′ (step S903). If the enter button 202 is not pressed for a long time (step S902), the print information list display continues to be displayed on the display 105 ′.

  When the cursor is displayed by the operation in step S903, the cursor is moved to select the print setting content to be changed (step S904). The selected print setting content is changed to the desired print setting content, and the temporary change is determined by pressing the determination button 202 (step S905).

  When the enter button 202 is pressed by the operation in step S905, a screen for confirming whether or not to really change is displayed (step S906). When the print setting contents are to be changed, if the Yes button is selected and operated (step S907), the print data is updated according to the changed print setting contents (step S908), and a print information list display is displayed on the display 105 ′. (Step S909). If the print setting contents are not to be changed, the No button is selected and operated (step S903), the print data is not updated, and the print information list display is displayed on the display 105 ′ (step S909).

  If there are other print setting contents to be changed (step S910), the operations from step S901 to S909 are repeated. If there is no other print setting content to be changed (step S910), the change of the print setting content is completed.

  With reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of the process of selecting contents to be changed in step S904 and the process of temporarily changing print setting contents in step S905 in the flowchart of FIG. When the cursor 705 is displayed by the operation in step S903, the user uses the cross buttons 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d to move the cursor 705 to the print setting content to be changed, thereby selecting the desired print setting content.

  Then, by pressing the enter button 202, the selected print setting content can be changed. The changeable state can be confirmed by changing the color of the cursor 705.

  In a state in which the print setting contents can be changed, the print setting contents can be temporarily changed by pressing the cross button 203a or 203c to change to the desired print setting contents and pressing the enter button 202.

  With reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of the determination processing of whether or not to really change in step S907 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the print data update processing in step S908, and the print information list display processing in step S909. When the enter button 202 is pressed by the operation in step S905, a change confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 105 ′.

  Here, when the print setting content is really changed, the cross button 203b or 203d is pressed, the cursor 803 is moved to the Yes button 801, and the enter button 202 is pressed, so that the print data is changed according to the changed print setting content. Is updated. When the update of the print data is completed, a print information list display is displayed on the display 105 ′.

  When the print setting contents are not changed, the cross button 203b or 203d is pressed, the cursor 803 is moved to the No button 802, and the enter button 202 is pressed, so that the temporarily changed print setting contents are discarded, and the print data The print information list display is displayed on the display 105 'without being updated.

  For example, a case where the number of print settings 702c, which is one of the print settings, is changed from 2 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 7, the print information list display is displayed on the display 105 ′ by the method described above, and the cursor 705 is displayed by long pressing the enter button 202.

  Using the cross buttons 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d, the cursor 705 is moved to the print setting content 702c and the print setting content 702c is selected. Therefore, by pressing the enter button 202, the color of the cursor 705 changes, and the print setting content 702c can be changed. By depressing the cross button 203a once, the number of print settings 702c can be increased by one, and by depressing the cross button 203c once, the number of print settings 702c can be decremented by one. To increase the number from two to five, the cross button 203a may be pressed three times.

  When the number of print setting contents 702c is five, pressing the enter button 202 temporarily changes the print setting contents 702c, and a screen for confirming the change of the print setting contents as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 105 ′. . To really change the print setting contents, the cross button 203b or 203d is pressed to move the cursor 803, the Yes button 801 is selected, and the enter button 202 is pressed, so that the number of print settings 702c is two. The print data is updated according to the changed print setting content. When the update of the print data is completed, a print information list display is displayed on the display 105 ′.

  With the same operation (steps S901 to S909 in FIG. 9), other print setting contents such as the border setting contents and the paper size setting contents can be changed, and each time one print setting content is changed, The print data is updated.

  In this way, by changing the print setting contents on the print information list display and updating the print data according to the changed print setting contents, considering the relationship with other print data displayed in the print information list The print settings can be changed, improving operational efficiency.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, creation of print data in a state where an information processing apparatus and a printer are connected will be described. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment perform the same functions or processes, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The input / output interface 1001 is used to input / output data to / from an external device such as the external display device 109 and the printer 1002, and the printer 1002 is used to output print data, input print status information, and the like.

  For example, the printer 1002 creates a print job based on print data output from the information processing apparatus, and performs printing according to the print data.

  FIG. 11 shows a series of processing in the information processing apparatus 201 that designates an image to be printed, performs print settings for the image, creates print data necessary for printing, and outputs the print data to the printer. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment perform similar operations or processes, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Print data is created by the same operation as described in the first embodiment (steps S301 to S306). The created print data is output to the printer 1002 by the input / output interface 1001 (step S1101).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations in the printer 1002 in which print data output from the information processing apparatus 201 is input and printing is started in accordance with the print data. The printer 1002 inputs print data (step S1201), creates a print job according to the input print data (step S1202), and starts printing (step S1203).

  Next, a list display of images corresponding to print data, related information, and print processing information will be described with reference to FIG. On the display 105 ′ of FIG. 13, the print setting contents and the print status are displayed. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment are the same display contents or functions, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The printing status is acquired from the printer 1002 and represents how much printing processing has been performed. The printing status 1301a indicates that printing has been completed and printing processing has been completed. The printing status 1301b indicates that printing is in progress and printing processing is being executed. The printing status 1301c indicates that printing has not been performed and printing is waiting. The print setting items displayed in a list on the display 105 ′ may be changed according to the user's preference.

  FIG. 14 shows an example in which the print setting content corresponding to the print data created by the operation in step S306 in FIG. 11 is changed in the unprinted print state, the print data is updated according to the changed print setting content, and the print 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in the information processing apparatus 201 for outputting data to the printer 1002. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment perform the same operations or processes, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. First, the user displays the print information list display on the display 105 ′ by the method described above (step S1401).

  Thereafter, the print setting content is temporarily changed by an operation of selecting yes in the determination processing in steps S902 to S906 and S907.

  If the print processing status is unprinted (step S1402), the print data is updated according to the changed print setting content (step S908), and the updated print data is output to the printer 1002 (step S1404). The print information list display is displayed in '(step S1405).

  If the print processing status is not unprinted (step S1402), an error indicating that the print data cannot be updated is displayed on the display 105 '(step S1403), and the display returns to the print information list display in step S1401.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes in the printer 1002 in which the print data updated in step S1404 is output from the information processing apparatus 201 and printing is performed according to the print data. When the updated print data is output to the printer 1002 by the operation in step S1404 in FIG. 14, the printer 1002 inputs the updated print data (step S1501) and corresponds to the print data before being updated. A print job is selected based on the identification information added to the updated print data (step S1502), the print job is deleted (step S1503), and a new print job is created according to the updated print data (step S1504). Then, printing of a new print job is started (step S1505). The identification information is information that is added to the print data when the print data is created and does not change even when the print data is updated. However, the identification information is not limited to this.

  Here, for example, processing in the information processing apparatus 201 and the printer 1002 when changing the number of printed sheets, which is one of the print setting contents, from two to five will be described. First, the information processing apparatus 201 changes the print setting contents and updates the print data. This process is performed by the same operation as described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the print data in which the number of prints is updated from 2 to 5 is output to the printer 1002. In the printer 1002, based on the identification information added to the print data output from the information processing apparatus 201, a print job waiting for execution of printing with two printed sheets is selected, and the print job is deleted. . Then, a new print job is created according to the print data indicating that the number of printed sheets is 5, and printing is started.

  In a state where a plurality of print jobs exist in the printer 1002, the print execution order of the print jobs created by the new print job creation operation in step S1309 may be changed. For example, a newly created print job is preferentially executed.

  For print data with an unprinted print status, a print stop button is provided in the print information list display, and the print data and the print job of the printer corresponding to the print data are deleted by selecting and operating the button. Thus, the execution of printing may be canceled.

  Conventionally, to change the print settings contained in a print job that already exists in the printer and print it, the user first deletes the print job that has been output to the printer, and then creates a new image corresponding to the deleted print job. The user had to select, specify the desired print setting contents, and create new print data. According to the present invention, the print setting contents included in the print data are changed on the print information list display. It is only necessary to update the print data, and the operation efficiency is improved.

  Although the case where the printing status is not printed has been described above, for example, the following processing is possible even when the printing status is printed or during printing, but the processing is not limited to these processing. If the print processing status has been printed, use the method described above on the print information list display to change the print setting contents, create new print data according to the changed contents, and print the print data. Printing may be executed by outputting to the printer 1002. This allows you to change the print settings of an image once printed and display the print settings screen when you want to print again, etc., and without specifying all the print settings, on the print information list display, Reprinting using the print setting contents included in the previously created print data can be facilitated, and the operation efficiency is improved.

  When the print processing status is printing, the print data is updated according to the changed content by changing the print setting content using the method described above on the print information list display, and the print data is transferred to the printer 1002. Output to. The printer 1002 may stop the printing process that is being printed corresponding to the print data before being updated, create a new print job according to the updated print data, and execute printing. As a result, when a user accidentally outputs print data corresponding to a print setting content that is not a desired print setting content to the printer and printing has started, conventionally, a print cancellation request is issued. It was necessary to create new print data corresponding to the desired print setting contents to be output to the printer. According to the present invention, the print setting contents are changed on the print information list display and the print data is updated. By simply doing this, printing can be started easily with the desired print setting contents, and the operation efficiency is improved.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations for designating an image to be printed, performing print settings for the image, and creating print data necessary for printing in the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state where an image is displayed on a display in the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state where a print setting screen is displayed on a display in the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state where a print information list display is displayed on a display in the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state in which print setting item contents can be changed in a print information list displayed on a display in the first embodiment. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state where a change confirmation screen is displayed on a display in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations for changing print setting contents corresponding to created print data and updating the print data in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system of 2nd Embodiment. In the second embodiment, an information processing apparatus that designates an image to be printed, performs print settings for the image, creates print data necessary for printing, and outputs the print data to a printer. It is the flowchart which showed a series of operation | movement. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations in a printer in which print data output from an information processing apparatus is input and printing is started according to the print data in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an external view of an information processing apparatus in a state in which a print information list display is displayed on a display in a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a series of information processing apparatuses that change the print setting content corresponding to the generated print data, update the print data according to the changed print setting content, and output the print data to the printer. It is the flowchart which showed operation. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes in a printer in which updated print data is output from an information processing apparatus and printing is performed according to the print data in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Input interface 102 Storage medium 103 Storage medium control part 104 Video memory 105 Display part 106 Input means 107 Input / output interface 108 Control part 109 External display apparatus 201 Information processing apparatus 1001 Input / output interface 1002 Printer

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus for recording or reproducing image data,
A designation means for accepting designation of an image to be printed and its print setting contents via the display screen even when the printing apparatus is not connected;
Print data creation means for creating print data in accordance with the image designated by the designation means and the print setting content;
An information processing apparatus comprising: list display means for displaying a list of identification images of images corresponding to the print data created by the print data creation means and the print setting contents thereof on a display screen. A printing system comprising an information processing apparatus for recording or reproducing image data, and a printing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A designation means for accepting designation of an image to be printed via the display screen and its print setting contents;
Print data creation means for creating print data in accordance with the image designated by the designation means and the print setting content;
Obtaining means for obtaining a print processing status of a print job from the printing apparatus;
Association means for associating the print data created by the print data creation means with the print job of the printing apparatus;
A printing system comprising: an identification image of an image corresponding to the print data created by the print data creation means, a print setting content thereof, and a list display means for displaying a list of the print processing status on the display screen. .   The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the print processing status displayed in a list includes at least one of a status of printed, being printed, and not printed.   3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the print data and the print job are associated with each other by adding identification information to the print data created by the print data creation unit.   The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising a changing unit that receives a change in print setting contents in the list display by the list display unit. Output means for outputting print data whose print setting contents have been changed by the changing means to the printing apparatus;
The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus updates a print job according to print data in which the print setting content is changed.   The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the identification image is a thumbnail image or an icon image.   The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the print setting content includes at least one of the number of printed sheets, the presence / absence of a border, and a printing paper size. A computer program used in an information processing apparatus for recording or reproducing image data,
A designation process for accepting designation of an image to be printed and its print setting contents via the display screen even when the printing apparatus is not connected;
Print data creation processing for creating print data in accordance with the image and print setting content specified in the specification processing;
A computer program for executing a list display process for displaying a list of identification images of images corresponding to the print data created in the print data creation process and the print setting contents on a display screen.

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