JP2006221415A - Set attribute content recognizing method and set attribute changing method of registered print attribute combination - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate recognition and change of set content of registered print attribute combination in a printer driver capable of registering the combination of print attribute setting. <P>SOLUTION: This set attribute content recognizing method and set attribute changing method comprise a specifying means of a print attribute combination for specifying a combination of print attribute registered by a user, and a displaying means of a print attribute set content for displaying a set attribute and its set value of only the print attribute having change from a default set value in the print attribute combination specified by the specifying means of the print attribute combination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting attribute content confirmation method and a setting attribute change method for a print attribute combination registered in a printer driver.

Conventionally, as a method of registering a combination of print attribute setting values by a user, methods as seen in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed. However, these are registered by adding a specific name or icon to a combination of printing attributes often used by the user, and by selecting the registered printing attribute combination, it is reflected in the setting value of each printing attribute. This is a method that allows printing with registered printing attributes.
JP 2000-222159 A JP 2002-182871 A

  However, the above conventional example has the following problems.

  Usually, the print attribute setting dialog of the printer driver is composed of a plurality of setting sheets (property sheets), and each print attribute setting control is often grouped and arranged on each sheet for each group.

  When the user can register a combination of print attribute settings, in such a printer driver, the user often sets the print attribute once on each setting sheet, and registers and registers the print attribute. In addition, when registering, there is a function capable of defining a name for a print attribute setting combination to be registered or defining an icon from an icon list prepared in advance.

  If the combination of print attribute settings registered by the user is not so complicated, defining a name that is easy to understand when registering the combination of print attribute settings can be easily found later when selecting the combination. When the set combinations of print attribute setting values are close, there are cases in which it is not known what kind of print attribute settings are combined with only the registered name defined at the time of registration. In this case, when checking the combination, the user once selects the print attribute setting combination (in this case, the print attribute setting value is reflected in each setting sheet), and checks the setting status of each sheet. Therefore, the operability is poor and the productivity is lowered.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and in a printer driver capable of registering combinations of print attribute settings, registered print attribute combinations that facilitate checking and changing settings of registered print attribute combinations. It is an object to provide a setting attribute content confirmation method and a setting attribute change method.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides:
In a printer driver that allows a user to register a combination of print attributes,
Print attribute combination specifying means for specifying a combination of print attributes registered by the user,
For the print attribute combination designated by the print attribute combination designation unit, the print attribute setting content display unit displays only the set attribute and the set value that are changed from the default set value.

  In the present invention, in a printer driver in which a user can register a combination of print attributes, a print attribute combination designating unit for designating a combination of print attributes registered by the user, a print attribute designated by the print attribute combination designating unit About the combination, only the print attributes that have changed from the default setting values have the setting attributes and the print attribute setting contents display means for displaying the setting values, so that the setting contents of the registered print attribute setting combinations can be quickly and easily performed. There is an effect that can be confirmed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 13 are drawings that best represent an embodiment of the present invention and will be described with reference to these drawings.

  FIGS. 1 to 4 are printer driver setting property sheets in which print attributes can be registered. FIG. 1 is a main sheet including a structure for displaying a list of registered print attributes as icons. FIG. 3 is a paper source sheet for setting a paper feed stage relationship, and FIG. 4 is a quality sheet for setting a print quality relationship.

  In this embodiment, in the printer driver having the property sheets of FIGS. 1 to 4, four types of procedures are shown using FIGS. The four types of procedures are a procedure for registering a combination of print attribute settings, a procedure for selecting and applying a registered print attribute combination, a procedure for checking the setting contents of a selected print attribute combination, and a combination of selected print attribute combinations. This is a procedure for changing the set value.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering a combination of print attribute settings. A method for registering a desired combination of print attribute settings will be described with reference to this figure. In the present embodiment, the print attribute setting value combination is referred to as Profile. In the description of Profile registration, a procedure for registering a Profile for setting punch holes will be described.

  First, in step S501, the user performs a desired setting in each property sheet of the printer driver. Here, in order to register the profile for punching holes, the user opens the Finishing sheet 201 in FIG. 2 and turns on the Hole Punch check box for setting 202 punch holes on the Finishing sheet 201. Since the desired setting is completed at this point, the process returns to the Main sheet 101. In this example, only the punch holes are set. However, if other settings are required, desired settings may be made in each property sheet.

  After returning to the Main sheet, in order to register the current printer driver settings, the “Register to Profile” button 106 is pressed in step S502. As a result of this pressing, the printer driver displays the Profile registration dialog shown in FIG. This dialog is composed of an edit box 601 for setting a profile name of a profile to be registered and a list box 602 for selecting an icon of the profile to be registered. Here, the user selects a Profile name and an icon in the procedure of S503. In the Profile name setting edit box 601, in order to register a combination (Profile) for setting punch holes, “Hole Punch” is input as the profile name. The icon to be registered is selected from the icons displayed in the icon selection list box 602. Here, in order to register the punch hole setting, the icon 603 on the right side of the displayed icon is selected. Since the name and icon of the profile to be registered are specified by the above procedure, the OK button 603 is pressed and set in the procedure of S504.

  Here, the Main sheet returns. FIG. 7 shows a registered Main sheet, 701 is a Main sheet, and 702 is a list box that displays a Profile icon. The profile has been registered with the profile name “Hole Punch” in the procedure so far, but the registered icon is displayed with the icon and name specified in step S503 as indicated by 703.

  Next, a procedure for selecting a registered Profile and applying a combination of print attribute setting values of the selected Profile will be described. FIG. 8 shows a procedure for selecting a Profile and applying the print attribute setting value. Description will be made along this procedure. Here, the user selects a profile named “Staple (Upper Left)” 704 in which the upper left staple is set from among the profiles registered in the profile list box 702 and applies the set value. Shall. In step S <b> 801, the user selects a desired profile, that is, “Staple (Upper Left)” from the Profile list box of the Main sheet by clicking with the mouse. FIG. 9 shows the main sheet after selection, and the “Staple (Upper Left)” profile of 904 is added with a color to indicate that it has been selected. It should be noted that the method of indicating that the user has selected is only required to be recognized by the user, and may be a method of adding inversion or a mark. Next, the user presses the 908 Apply button in order to apply the setting value of the printing attribute of the selected Profile.

  By pressing the Apply button 908, the combination of the registered setting values of “Staple (Upper Left)” is applied as the printer driver setting.

  As described above, in a printer driver capable of registering a combination of print attributes, combination registration (Profile registration) and application are possible. However, the problem here is that any combination of printer drivers can be registered in the profile. However, since the profile to be registered has a name of about one line and one icon, there are cases where complicated settings are made. It is a point that it is not easy to confirm what kind of print attribute setting the Profile has.

  Therefore, an example of the method for checking the print attribute setting of the profile and the method for changing the print attribute value will be described below. According to this method, it is possible to easily check and further change the print attribute setting value of the registered Profile.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming the print attribute value of the registered Profile, and will be described with reference to this figure.

  In step S <b> 1001, the user selects a profile whose print attribute setting content is to be confirmed from the profile list box 902 of the main sheet. Here, it is assumed that the setting content of “Staple (Upper Left)” 904 is confirmed. That is, the user selects “Staple (Upper Left)” 904 from the Profile list box 902 with a mouse or the like. A color is added to the back of the selected Profile in the same manner as the application procedure described above. Next, in S1002, a View Settings button 906 of the Main sheet 901, which is a button for confirming setting contents, is pressed. By pressing this button, the printer driver displays the dialog shown in FIG. 11 for confirming the setting.

  In FIG. 11, 1101 is a column for displaying sheet names, 1102 is a column for displaying setting attribute names, and 1103 is a column for displaying setting values. Note that the contents displayed in this dialog do not display all the set values, but only the print attributes changed from the default settings. Since the profile “Staple (Upper Left)” only has the print attribute of “upper left staple” set from the default setting, in this case, as shown in 1104, the setting of Staple is ON, and the setting of Staple Position is It is displayed that it is Upper Left.

  In this example, the View Settings button is provided on the Main sheet to check the combination of Profile print attribute settings when print settings are being made. However, the dialog shown in FIG. 11 is displayed after printing is started. There is also.

  In this way, the user can easily confirm the combination of the registered print attribute setting values of the Profile.

  Next, a method for further changing the setting value after confirming the above-described profile printing attribute setting value will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing and using the registered printing attribute value of the Profile, and will be described with reference to this figure.

  In step S <b> 1201, the user selects a profile for which the print attribute setting content is to be confirmed and changed from the profile list box 902 of the main sheet. Here, it is assumed that the user wants to output the left two places with staple setting. At this time, it is assumed that the user uses “Staple (Upper Left)” 904, which is the Profile in which the upper left staple that seems to be closest is set, and changes the setting value to a desired value after confirming this setting content. Here, the user selects “Staple (Upper Left)” 904 from the Profile list box 902 with a mouse or the like. A color is added to the back of the selected Profile in the same manner as the application procedure described above. Next, in S1202, a View Settings button 906 of the Main sheet 901, which is a button for confirming setting contents, is pressed.

  By pressing this button, the printer driver displays the dialog shown in FIG. 11 for confirming the setting. As in the previous description, it is assumed that the contents displayed in the dialog do not display all the set values, but only the print attributes changed from the default settings. Since the profile “Staple (Upper Left)” only has the print attribute of “upper left staple” set from the default setting, in this case, as shown in 1104, the setting of Staple is ON, and the setting of Staple Position is It is displayed that it is Upper Left. Furthermore, the user staps but wants to change the stapling position to two places on the left side, so the setting value is changed on this dialog.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the change of the set value, and 1301 to 1303 are the same as FIG. In order to change the staple position, the user clicks Upper Left, which is the setting value of Staple Position in the 1104 column. By this click, as shown at 1304, setting values that can be specified for Staple Position are listed. From this list, the user selects Double (Left), which is a desired setting value. After selection, press the 1305 OK button to apply this change.

  If the setting has been changed but the change is not desired to be applied, the cancel button 1306 may be pressed. The change applied here is applied only to the current printing once, and the combination of the print attributes of the Profile is not permanently changed.

  In this manner, the user can confirm the combination of the registered print attribute setting values of the Profile and change the set values for the confirmed print attributes.

  FIGS. 1 to 11 and FIGS. 14 to 16 are drawings showing a second embodiment, which will be described with reference to these drawings.

  The printer driver capable of registering a combination of print attribute settings, the method for registering the print attribute combination, the application method, and the attribute confirmation method according to FIGS. 1 to 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will not be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a procedure for changing the print attribute setting of the registered Profile, and the description will be made along this flowchart.

  In step S <b> 1401, the user specifies a print attribute to be changed for the registered profile whose setting value is to be changed. As shown in FIG. 15, in the main sheet 1501, the specifying method is to click the right mouse button on the profile icon whose setting value is to be changed in the profile icon list box 1502. In this embodiment, the right of the mouse is used to specify the print attribute whose setting value is to be changed, but other methods may be used as long as the method is other than the method for selecting a normal profile. For example, if the normal method of selecting a Profile is the left mouse button click, the print attribute specifying method for changing the setting value is to click the left button of the mouse while pressing a specific key (control key). Etc.

  In this example, it is assumed that the print attribute value of the “Staple (Upper Left)” registration profile 1503 is changed. When the user clicks the right button of the mouse on the “Staple (Upper Left)” Profile (1503), the printer driver displays a pop-up menu for specifying a print attribute for changing the setting value of 1504. In the pop-up menu (1504), “Binding Location”, “Staple Position”, and “Print Style” are listed as print attributes that can be changed. Since the user wants to change the print attribute setting value of “Staple Position”, the user selects “Designate Staple Position” in the pop-up menu (1504). After selecting “Designate Staple Position”, clicking the left mouse button on the Profile icon enables a mode in which the staple position can be changed.

  In step S <b> 1402, the user changes the setting value by clicking a specific position of the profile icon whose printing attribute setting value is to be changed. The setting is changed by clicking the left button of the increasing mouse on the Profile icon whose setting value is to be changed in the Profile icon list box 1602 of the Main sheet 1601. Here, it is assumed that the setting value of “Staple (Upper Left)” Profile 1603 is changed from the current upper left staple setting to the left two staples. Since the user wants to change the staple to two places on the “Staple (Upper Left)” icon (1603), the user focuses the mouse cursor on an arbitrary position at the left end of the icon and clicks the right mouse button. . By this click, together with the result of step S1401, the printer driver determines that this click is an instruction to change the staple position to the left two places, and sets the print attribute setting of this Profile staple to the upper left. Change from one place to two places on the left.

  The change applied here is applied only to the current printing once, and the combination of the print attributes of the Profile is not permanently changed.

  In this manner, the user can confirm the combination of the registered print attribute setting values of the Profile and change the set values for the confirmed print attributes.

The figure which shows the Main sheet of the printer driver The figure which shows the Finishing sheet of the printer driver The figure which shows the Paper Source sheet of the printer driver The figure which shows the quality sheet of the printer driver Profile registration flow chart Figure showing the Profile registration dialog The figure which shows the Main sheet after Profile registration Flow chart for applying Profile print attribute settings The figure which shows the Main sheet | seat which shows the selection state of Profile Flow chart for confirming the print attribute setting of the selected Profile The figure which shows the printing attribute setting confirmation dialog of Profile Flow chart for changing the printing attribute setting value of Profile The figure which shows the printing attribute setting value confirmation and change dialog of Profile Flow chart for changing print attribute settings on the Profile icon The figure which shows the Main sheet | seat when specifying the printing attribute changed on a Profile icon The figure which shows the Main sheet | seat when changing a printing attribute setting value on a Profile icon

Explanation of symbols

101 Main sheet 106 “Register to Profile” button 201 Finishing sheet 601 Edit box 602 List box 701 Main sheet

Claims (16)

In a printer driver that allows a user to register a combination of print attributes,
Print attribute combination specifying means for specifying a combination of print attributes registered by the user,
For the print attribute combination specified by the print attribute combination specifying means, only the print attributes that are changed from the default setting values, and the print attribute setting content display means for displaying the setting values;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. The registered print attribute combination setting attribute content confirmation method according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver includes:
A print attribute setting content display instructing means for the user to instruct display of the print attribute setting content;
A print attribute setting content display means for displaying, in a dialog, a print attribute that is changed from a default setting value for a specified print attribute combination when a display instruction is given by the print attribute setting content display instruction means;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. The registered print attribute combination setting attribute content confirmation method according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver includes:
A print attribute setting content display means for displaying a print attribute that is changed from a default setting value for a specified print attribute combination prior to printing when receiving a print start instruction from a user;
A print start instruction means in which a user gives an instruction to start printing in a dialog used by the print attribute setting content display means;
A print cancel instruction means for instructing a user to cancel printing in a dialog used by the print attribute setting content display means;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. The registered print attribute combination setting attribute content confirmation method according to claim 1, wherein the printer driver includes:
Print attribute combination icon enumeration display means for enumerating and displaying print attribute combinations registered by the user,
A printing attribute setting content display means for displaying, in a tooltip, a printing attribute that is changed from a default setting value for the focused printing attribute combination when the user focuses the mouse cursor on the icon of the printing attribute combination;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. The registered print attribute combination setting attribute content confirmation method according to claim 2, wherein the printer driver includes:
A printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying means by which the user can specify the printing attribute displayed in the dialog or its setting value;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change the setting value of the printing attribute specified by the printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying unit;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. The registered print attribute combination setting attribute content confirmation method according to claim 3, wherein the printer driver includes:
A printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying means by which the user can specify the printing attribute displayed in the dialog or its setting value;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change the setting value of the printing attribute specified by the printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying unit;
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. 5. The method for confirming setting attribute contents of a registered print attribute combination according to claim 4, wherein the printer driver includes:
A printing attribute combination icon specifying / designating means for the user to specify the icons displayed by the printing attribute combination icon enumeration display means in a state different from the normal designation;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change a printing attribute setting value for the printing attribute combination specified by the printing attribute combination icon specifying and specifying unit;
Setting attribute content confirmation method and setting attribute changing method of registered printing attribute combination,
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. 5. The method for confirming setting attribute contents of a registered print attribute combination according to claim 4, wherein the printer driver includes:
In the print attribute combination icon specified by the user,
Change target print attribute specifying means for specifying a print attribute to be changed for an icon designated by the user;
An instruction location determination means for determining a location on an icon indicated by the user;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that changes an attribute setting value of a corresponding printing attribute in accordance with the designated place determined by the designated place determination unit;
Setting attribute content confirmation method and setting attribute changing method of registered printing attribute combination,
A setting attribute content confirmation method for a registered print attribute combination. In a printer driver that allows a user to register a combination of print attributes,
Print attribute combination specifying means for specifying a combination of print attributes registered by the user,
For the print attribute combination specified by the print attribute combination specifying means, only the print attributes that are changed from the default setting values, and the print attribute setting content display means for displaying the setting values;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 10. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 9, wherein the printer driver is
A print attribute setting content display instructing means for the user to instruct display of the print attribute setting content;
A print attribute setting content display means for displaying, in a dialog, a print attribute that is changed from a default setting value for a specified print attribute combination when a display instruction is given by the print attribute setting content display instruction means;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 10. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 9, wherein the printer driver is
A print attribute setting content display means for displaying a print attribute that is changed from a default setting value for a specified print attribute combination prior to printing when receiving a print start instruction from a user;
A print start instruction means in which a user gives an instruction to start printing in a dialog used by the print attribute setting content display means;
A print cancel instruction means for instructing a user to cancel printing in a dialog used by the print attribute setting content display means;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 10. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 9, wherein the printer driver is
Print attribute combination icon enumeration display means for enumerating and displaying print attribute combinations registered by the user,
A printing attribute setting content display means for displaying, in a tooltip, a printing attribute that is changed from a default setting value for the focused printing attribute combination when the user focuses the mouse cursor on the icon of the printing attribute combination;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 11. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 10, wherein the printer driver is
A printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying means by which the user can specify the printing attribute displayed in the dialog or its setting value;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change the setting value of the printing attribute specified by the printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying unit;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 12. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 11, wherein the printer driver is
A printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying means by which the user can specify the printing attribute displayed in the dialog or its setting value;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change the setting value of the printing attribute specified by the printing attribute and attribute setting value specifying unit;
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 13. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 12, wherein the printer driver is
A printing attribute combination icon specifying / designating means for the user to specify the icons displayed by the printing attribute combination icon enumeration display means in a state different from the normal designation;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that allows a user to change a printing attribute setting value for the printing attribute combination specified by the printing attribute combination icon specifying and specifying unit;
Setting attribute content confirmation method and setting attribute changing method of registered printing attribute combination,
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: 13. The setting attribute changing method according to claim 12, wherein the printer driver is
In the print attribute combination icon specified by the user,
Change target print attribute specifying means for specifying a print attribute to be changed for an icon designated by the user;
An instruction location determination means for determining a location on an icon indicated by the user;
A printing attribute setting value changing unit that changes an attribute setting value of a corresponding printing attribute in accordance with the designated place determined by the designated place determination unit;
Setting attribute content confirmation method and setting attribute changing method of registered printing attribute combination,
A setting attribute changing method characterized by comprising: