JP2007193722A - User interface - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface which can improve usability of a setting screen for setting each function mounted in an apparatus when using the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the user interface having a setting screen which allows a user to set each function mounted on the predetermined apparatus when using the same, a first character string and a second character string having larger number of characters than the first character string are stored as character strings showing each function used on the setting screen, and the stored first or second character string is selected as a character string showing each function used on the setting screen based on user's use history of each function or according to a user operation state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface having a setting screen for a user to set each function installed in a device when a predetermined device is used.

  In recent years, with the increase in functionality of devices such as printers, copiers, and multifunction devices, setting screens for user interfaces (UI) provided by driver software (printer drivers, etc.) for setting various functions when using these devices Since items corresponding to various functions are provided above, there is a tendency that the display of the setting screen becomes complicated and visibility decreases. In order to ensure the visibility of the setting screen, it has been conventionally known that a shortened character string having a smaller number of characters than a standard character string is used as a character string representing a function for each item.

  In addition, devices sold in countries with different languages can switch the display between multiple languages on the setting screen. Generally, when switching English character strings to European character strings, There is a tendency to become a character string having the number of characters 1.5 times or more, and also in this case, the display of the setting screen may be complicated and the visibility may be lowered. It is conceivable that a shortened character string is used as a character string representing a function.

  Conventionally, as a technique for improving the visibility of a setting screen, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-76222 determines the use frequency of each function and displays only items corresponding to the frequently used function on the setting screen. What has been made is disclosed. Also, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-253840 discloses a method for displaying an input destination header character string by replacing it with a pre-registered shortened character string in a facsimile apparatus.

JP 2003-76222 A JP 2004-253840 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since an item corresponding to a function that is not frequently used is not displayed, the user needs to change the display specification of the setting screen when using the function, There is a risk that the usability of the setting screen may be reduced by not being aware of the existence itself. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned patent document 2, since a shortened character string is used, there is a possibility that the user cannot correctly understand the contents of each function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem, and provides a user interface capable of improving the usability of a setting screen for setting each function implemented in the device when the device is used. With the goal.

  Accordingly, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is that each function used on the setting screen in a user interface having a setting screen for the user to set each function mounted on the device when using a predetermined device. Character string holding means for holding a first character string and a second character string having a larger number of characters than the first character string, and a determining means for determining a use history of each function by the user Selecting means for selecting the first character string or the second character string from the character string holding means as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen based on the use history determined by the determining means; It is characterized by having.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 of the present application is that each function used on the setting screen in a user interface having a setting screen for the user to set each function mounted on the device when using a predetermined device. A character string holding means for holding a first character string and a second character string having a larger number of characters than the first character string, and an identification for identifying an operation state by a user on the setting screen And a first character string or a second character string from the character string holding means as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen according to an operation situation by the user identified by the identifying means. And a selection means for selecting.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the counting means for counting the usage frequency or change frequency of each function, and the usage frequency or change of the function counted by the counting means. Display area setting means for setting a display area wider than the standard time so that the second character string is displayed for a function whose frequency is a predetermined value or more. is there.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the function according to claim 3, wherein the display area setting means has a use frequency or a change frequency of a function counted by the counting means equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The display area is set only for the camera.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the function according to claim 3, wherein the display area setting means has a function usage frequency or a change frequency counted by the counting means less than a predetermined value. In contrast, a display area narrower than the standard time is set.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the counting means for counting the frequency of use or change of each function, and the frequency of use of the function counted by the counting means. Or a display area setting means for setting a display area wider than the standard time so that the second character string is displayed for a function whose change frequency is less than a predetermined value. Is.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the function according to claim 6, wherein the display area setting means has a use frequency or a change frequency of a function counted by the counting means equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In contrast, a display area narrower than the standard time is set.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the display area setting means is configured to perform a function in which a focus is applied according to an operation by the user on the setting screen. While a display area wider than the standard time is set, a display area narrower than the standard time is set for a function that is not focused.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the display area setting means displays a wider display than the standard time for the function related to the function in addition to the focused function. While the area is set, in addition to the function not focused, a display area narrower than the standard time is set for the function related to the function.

  Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 10 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 8 or 9, the display area setting means is the first in the case where all of the functions on the setting screen are not focused. The standard time display area is set so that a standard character string having the number of characters equal to or larger than the first character string and equal to or smaller than the second character string is displayed.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first character string is a character string that expresses a function in a concise manner. Is a character string expressing the function in more detail.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the visibility of the setting screen can be improved, and the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

  Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 2 of this application, the visibility of a setting screen can be improved during operation, and the usability of the setting screen by a user can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, a wide display area is set so that the second character string is displayed for a function having a relatively high use frequency or change frequency. Visibility can be improved more reliably, and the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 4 of the present application, since only the display area related to the function having a relatively high use frequency or change frequency is displayed on the setting screen, the visibility of the setting screen is more reliably improved. Thus, the user can improve the usability of the setting screen.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, a function having a high use frequency or change frequency is set by setting a display area narrower than the standard time for a function having a relatively low use frequency or change frequency. It can be made conspicuous, and the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved thereby.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, the function that the user is accustomed to using is set by setting a display area wider than the standard time for the function having a relatively low use frequency or change frequency. The user can use the setting screen in a simple manner, while the functions not familiar to the user are expressed in detail using the second character string, thereby improving the usability of the setting screen.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 7 of the present application, since a display area narrower than the standard time is set for a function having a relatively high use frequency or change frequency, the function having a low use frequency or change frequency is conspicuous. Accordingly, the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 8 of the present application, a display area wider than the standard time is set for the focused function in accordance with the operation by the user on the setting screen. By setting a display area that is narrower than the standard time for non-functions, the focused function can be highlighted and displayed using the second character string, thereby improving the visibility of the setting screen. Thus, the user can improve the usability of the setting screen.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 9 of the present application, since a wide display area or a narrow display area is set for each group of functions related to each other, usability of the setting screen by the user can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 10 of the present application, in the state where all the functions on the setting screen are not focused, the number of characters is equal to or greater than the first character string and equal to or less than the second character string. By setting the standard time display area so that the standard character string is displayed, all functions are displayed in the same format, so that the user can improve the usability of the setting screen.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 11 of the present application, a character string that expresses the function in a concise manner is used as the first character string, while the function is described in more detail as the second character string. Since the character string to be expressed is used, the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system in which printing execution is controlled based on a printer driver program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) that provides a setting screen for a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 1 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 10 and a printer 20 that outputs job data transmitted from the PC 10 as a print print.

The PC 10 includes a CPU 11 that performs sequence control of the PC main body based on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) that is basic software, a ROM 12 that records a program executed when the PC 10 is started, and a work area necessary for executing the program. Various types of data are transmitted and received between the RAM 13, which is used as a buffer area, a hard disk ("HD" in the figure) 14 for storing an OS, application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications) and various data, and the printer 20. And an interface unit ("I / F" in the figure) 15 for performing.
Although not particularly illustrated, the PC 10 is, for example, a monitor display, a CD-ROM drive, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like that can display a GUI screen for a user to work using an application. The configuration of the input device or the like.

  In the PC 10, various functions such as screen display and document storage are provided by the OS, and the OS is software that can control predetermined hardware separately from the kernel that is the core part of the OS. A plurality of device drivers in the form. As one of these device drivers, there is a printer driver program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) capable of setting various printing conditions and controlling the printer in order to recognize the printer 20 that is the job data output destination on the PC 10 side. Installed. The printer driver is generally installed in the PC 10 from an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM 17 or a floppy disk 18 included when the printer main body is sold.

  On the other hand, the printer 20 is used as a CPU 21 that performs sequence control of the printer body, a ROM 22 that records a program for sequence control by the CPU 21, a work area necessary for the program, and a buffer area for job data transmitted from the PC 10. An interface unit ("I / F" in the figure) 24 for transmitting and receiving various data between the RAM 23 and the PC 10, a printing unit 25 that executes printing on paper based on job data, And a data processing unit 26 that performs various data processing such as color space conversion and binarization processing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the output processing of job data to be printed, which is executed using the printer driver 40 on the PC 10 side. When the user instructs printing of information data read by an application 30 having a print command for printing an image and displayed on a monitor display (not shown), first, job data corresponding to the information data is stored in the OS 35. And intermediate data based on the job data is created by the kernel which is the core part of the OS 35. This intermediate data is created in accordance with the capability of the printer driver 40 and supplied to the printer driver 40. Along with the supply to the printer driver 40, a user interface setting screen provided by the printer driver 40 is displayed on the monitor display. In this setting screen, the user can arbitrarily set the functions implemented in the printer 20, that is, the printing conditions executed on the printer 20 side.

  In FIG. 2, the printer driver 40 is shown as a plurality of hardware blocks. Each of these blocks represents various program functions executed by the printer driver 40. The printer driver 40 has, as basic functions, a job data adjustment function that appropriately adjusts job data to be printed to a format for transmitting to the printer 20, a port control function that controls the output port of the job data, and display specifications of the setting screen And a setting screen management function for managing the setting screen, such as creating setting information data reflecting the setting contents on the setting screen. Hereinafter, description will be made assuming the hardware configuration of the job data adjustment unit 41, the port control unit 42, the setting screen management unit 43, and the like that execute these functions.

  The job data adjusted by the job data adjustment unit 41 in accordance with the user's print execution instruction on the setting screen and the setting information data reflecting the setting contents on the setting screen from the setting screen management unit 43 are: The data is sent to the port control unit 41 and output to the printer 20 via the interface unit 15 (see FIG. 1).

  Normally, the setting screen management unit 43 provides various items corresponding to functions implemented in the printer 20 on the setting screen, and a display area of a predetermined size is assigned to each item and corresponds to each display area. In this embodiment, the visibility of the setting screen for the user interface provided by the printer driver 40 is improved with respect to such display control. To improve the usability of the setting screen.

  Therefore, the setting screen management unit 43 includes a display control unit 43a that functions to display and control the setting screen based on various conditions, and characters used to represent each function that is implemented in the printer 20 on the setting screen. A character string holding unit 43b that functions to hold a column, and a frequency counter 43c that counts the frequency of use or change of functions implemented in the printer 20 are provided.

  The character string holding unit 43b includes a first character string, a second character string having a larger number of characters than the first character string, a character string representing a function used on the setting screen, and the first character string or more. And a standard character string having the number of characters equal to or less than the second character string. In the present embodiment, a character string shortened so as to express the function in a concise manner (hereinafter referred to as “abbreviated character string”) is used as the first character string, while the function is used as the second character string. A character string expressed in detail (hereinafter referred to as “full character string”) is used. The frequency counter 43c counts the frequency of use of each function in accordance with a print execution instruction on the setting screen by the user, or changes each function in accordance with an instruction to confirm setting contents on the setting screen. Count frequency.

  Then, when it is determined that the use frequency or the change frequency counted by the frequency counter 43c is higher for each function than the other functions, the display control unit 43a sets corresponding to each function on the setting screen. As the size of the display area to be displayed, an enlarged size larger than that of the standard time is assigned, and a full character string is used as a character string representing a function corresponding to the display area. On the other hand, the use is counted by the frequency counter 43c. When it is determined that the frequency or change frequency is lower than other functions, the size of the display area set for each function on the setting screen is smaller than the standard time size (default size) or standard time. In order to assign a narrow reduced size and to use a standard character string or a shortened character string as a character string representing a function corresponding to the display area. It performs control. Further, in such display control, the display control unit 43a adjusts the arrangement of the display areas so that the display areas set on the setting screen do not interfere with each other.

  Hereinafter, display control of the setting screen provided by the printer driver 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 as flowcharts corresponding to various processes and FIGS. 8 and 9 showing specific examples of the setting screen.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for counting the frequency of function change performed when setting contents are confirmed on the setting screen. This process is started immediately after the printer driver 40 is activated. In this process, first, the current setting contents on the setting screen are stored (# 11). Thereafter, display corresponding to the operation by the user is performed (# 12). That is, in accordance with the operation by the user, the setting contents regarding each function are displayed in real time.

  Subsequently, for example, by depressing an “OK” or “Apply” button provided on the setting screen, it is determined whether or not the setting contents regarding each function on the setting screen are confirmed (# 13). As a result, when it is determined that the setting contents are not confirmed, the process returns to step # 12, and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting contents are confirmed, the setting is continued. It is determined whether there is a change in the contents (# 14).

  As a result of step # 14, when it is determined that there is no change in the setting contents, the process proceeds directly to step # 16. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a change in the setting contents, the frequency counter 43c After the corresponding function change frequency is incremented (# 15), the process proceeds to step # 16.

  In step # 16, it is determined whether or not confirmation regarding the change of setting contents has been performed for all functions. As a result, if it is determined that confirmation has not been performed, the process returns to step # 14, and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that confirmation has been performed, the process ends. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for counting the frequency of use of functions performed when a print execution instruction is issued on the setting screen. In this process, first, for example, when an “execution” button provided on the setting screen is pressed, it is determined whether or not the user has instructed printing (# 21), and as a result, printing is instructed. If it is determined that the printing is not performed, step # 21 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the execution of printing is instructed, it is subsequently determined whether there is a difference from the default (# 22). ).

  If it is determined in step # 22 that there is no difference from the default, the process proceeds directly to step # 24. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a difference from the default, the frequency counter 43c continues. After the usage frequency of the function corresponding to the counter is incremented (# 23), the process proceeds to step # 24.

  In step # 24, it is determined whether or not confirmation regarding differences from the default has been performed for all functions. As a result, if it is determined that confirmation has not been performed for all functions, the process returns to step # 22. The subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the confirmation has been performed, the number of times of printing is incremented (# 25), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the display screen display control process. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the number of times of printing is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (# 31). As a result, if it is determined that the number of times of printing is less than the predetermined number, The standard setting that adopts the correct display area size, position, and character string is performed (# 39), and a setting screen reflecting the setting contents is displayed (# 40). On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 31 that it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the function set on the setting screen is subsequently classified into a function having a high frequency or a function having a low frequency based on the use frequency or the change frequency ( # 32). Details of step # 32 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the function is frequently used or frequently changed (# 33). As a result, if it is determined that the function is frequently used, the display area size is continuously enlarged. Is set, the position of the display area is set so as to avoid interference with the display area related to other functions (# 34), and the full character string displayed in the display area is further selected (# 34). # 35). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 38. On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 33 that the function is not frequently performed, the standard size is set as the size of the display region and the display region avoids interference with other display regions. Is set (# 36), and the full character string displayed in the display area is selected (# 37). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 38.

  In step # 38, it is determined whether or not all functions have been checked (# 38). If it is determined that they have not been checked, the process returns to step # 33, and the subsequent steps are repeated. If it is determined that the check has been completed, a setting screen reflecting the setting contents in the above step is displayed (# 40). The process is thus completed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of step # 32 (function classification step) in FIG. In this process, first, all functions set on the setting screen are ranked in descending order of use frequency or change frequency (# 51). Thereafter, a function with high or low use frequency and a low function are classified with a predetermined number of preset times (# 52). That is, when the use frequency or the change frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, they are high functions, and when they are less than the predetermined value, they are low functions.
Thus, after each function is classified into a function with a high use frequency or a change frequency, or a low function, a process is returned to the main flow of FIG.

  Further, as the function classification, a method different from that in FIG. 6 may be used. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of step # 32 (function classification step) in FIG. 5 different from FIG. In this process, first, for each function set on the setting screen, the ratio of the frequency of use or change of each function to the total number of times of printing is calculated (# 61). Thereafter, all the functions are ranked in descending order of the ratio calculated in step # 61 (# 62).

  Finally, functions that are frequently used and functions that are low in frequency are classified at a predetermined ratio set in advance (# 63). That is, when the ratio calculated in step # 61 is equal to or higher than the predetermined ratio, the functions are high, and when the ratio is lower than the predetermined ratio, the functions are low.

  Thus, after the functions are classified into the functions with high or low use frequency or the functions with low change frequency, the process is returned to the main flow of FIG.

  Subsequently, a specific example of a setting screen realized by the processing as described above will be referred to. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a setting screen under a standard setting where display control based on the use frequency or change frequency of each function is not performed and a setting screen after display control is performed. On the setting screen shown in these figures, items corresponding to the four functions 1 to 4 ("Function1," "Function2," "Function3," and "Function4" in the figure are provided) are provided for each item. The display area is set.

  First, on the setting screen shown in FIG. 8, since there is no function that is frequently used or changed, a display area corresponding to each function is displayed based on “standard setting”. As a result, each display area size is standard. The size is set, and a standard character string is adopted in each display area. Specifically, the standard character strings “Func11”, “Func12”, and “Func13” are used in the display area corresponding to function 1 (Function1), and in the display area corresponding to function 3 (Function3). The standard character strings “Func31”, “Func32”, and “Func33” are used for the display area, and the standard character strings “Func41”, “Func42”, “Func43” are displayed in the display area corresponding to function 4 (Function 4). Is used. When a full character string having a large number of characters can be displayed in the display area set to the standard size, control is performed so that the full character string is displayed instead of the standard character string. Specifically, FIG. The full character strings “Selection1,” “Selection2,” and “Selection3” are used in the display area corresponding to the remaining function 2 (Function2).

  On the other hand, on the setting screen shown in FIG. 9, functions 1 and 3 are determined as functions having a high use frequency or change frequency, and as a result, a display area size corresponding to the functions 1 and 3 is wider than the standard time display area. A size (enlarged size) is adopted, and a full character string is adopted as a character string representing a function included in the display area. On the other hand, functions 2 and 4 are determined as functions having a low use frequency or change frequency. As a result, a display area size (reduced size) narrower than the standard time is adopted as a display area size corresponding to functions 2 and 4. A shortened character string is adopted as a character string representing a function included in the display area. Furthermore, in this case, display control is performed so that display areas corresponding to the respective functions are arranged without interfering with each other. As a result, on the setting screen shown in FIG. 9, the setting screen shown in FIG. The display areas corresponding to the functions 2 and 3 are arranged so as to be interchanged.

  Specifically, the full character strings “Function11”, “Function12”, “Function13” are used in the display area corresponding to function 1 (Function1), and the display area corresponding to function 3 (Function3) is used. The full character strings “Function31”, “Function32”, and “Function33” are used. On the other hand, the abbreviated character strings “Select”, “Select”, and “Select” are used in the display area corresponding to function 2 (Function 2), and in the display area corresponding to function 4 (Function 4), The abbreviated character strings “Fun”, “Fun”, and “Fun” are used.

  As can be seen from the above description, after determining the use frequency or change frequency of each function, a display area wider than the standard time is set for the function with high use frequency or change frequency, and a full character string with a large number of characters is set. On the other hand, by setting a standard time display area or a reduced area narrower than the standard time for functions that are frequently used or changed frequently, and using a standard character string or a shortened character string that has fewer characters than the full character string, While displaying items corresponding to each function without omission, the visibility of the setting screen can be improved, and the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, a display area wider than the standard time is set for a function with high use frequency or change frequency. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, for a function with low use frequency or change frequency. By setting a display area wider than the standard time, functions that the user is accustomed to using are briefly expressed using the first character string, while functions that the user is not accustomed to using are more detailed using the second character string. As a result, the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved. In addition to this, by performing display control so that a display area narrower than the standard time is set for functions that are frequently used or changed frequently, functions that are less frequently used or changed can be made noticeable. As a result, the user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display area size and the character string are changed based on the use frequency or change frequency of each function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the character string may be changed. .

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, by using a character string that expresses the function briefly as the first character string, while using a character string that expresses the function in more detail as the second character string, Although the user-friendliness of the setting screen has been improved, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, character strings of different languages may be used as the first and second character strings. In this case, as the second character string, it is desirable to set a language having a large total number of characters.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, display control is performed such that the display area is enlarged and a full character string is used for a frequently used function based on the use frequency or change frequency of each function on the setting screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the size of the display area corresponding to the function that is in focus during the operation by the user is enlarged, and a full character string is used for the display area. The user-friendliness of the setting screen can be improved. Hereinafter, such an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a setting screen display control process executed during operation by the user. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not there is a focused function (# 71). If it is determined that there is no focused function, the standard display area size for all functions, After the standard display of the setting screen employing the position and character string is performed (# 79), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 71 that there is a focused function, the enlarged size is set as the size of the display area, and interference with the display area related to other functions is avoided. The position of the correct display area is set (# 72), and the full character string displayed in the display area is selected (# 73). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 74.

  In step # 74, it is determined whether or not there is a function affected by the setting of the size and position of the display area in step # 72. As a result, if it is determined that there is no function affected, A standard setting for adopting a standard display area size, position, and character string for the function is performed (# 77), and a setting screen reflecting the setting contents is displayed (# 78).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 74 that there is an affected function, the reduced size is set as the size of the display area for the affected function, and the display area for other functions is displayed. The position of the display area is set so as to avoid the interference with (# 75), and the shortened character string displayed in the display area is selected (# 76). Thereafter, a setting screen reflecting the setting contents in the above step is displayed (# 78), and the process is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen in a state where display control is performed in accordance with an operation situation by the user. On this setting screen, the cursor is positioned on the display area corresponding to function 1 (Function 1), so that function 1 is determined to be the focused function, and the display area size corresponding to the function 1 is wider than the standard time. A size is adopted, and a full character string is adopted as a character string representing a function included in the display area. The display area size corresponding to the function 3 is narrower than the standard time so that the display area corresponding to the function 3 (Function 3) located on the side of the display area corresponding to the function 1 does not interfere with the enlarged display of the display area corresponding to the function 1. Reduced size is adopted. Specifically, the full character strings “Function11”, “Function12”, “Function13” are used in the display area corresponding to function 1 (Function1), and the display area corresponding to function 3 (Function3) is used. The abbreviated character strings “Fun”, “Fun”, and “Fun” are used.

  Furthermore, the display areas corresponding to the function 2 (Function 2) and the function 4 (Function 4) are displayed based on “standard setting”. As a result, each display area size is set to the standard size, and in each display area, Standard character strings are used. Specifically, standard character strings “Func41”, “Func42”, and “Func43” are used in the display area corresponding to function 4 (Function4). Even in this form, when a full character string with a large number of characters can be displayed in the display area set to the standard size, the full character string is controlled to be displayed instead of the standard character string. Specifically, on the setting screen shown in FIG. 11, the full character strings “Selection1”, “Selection2”, and “Selection3” are used in the display area corresponding to the remaining function 2 (Function2).

  In the specific example of the setting screen shown in FIG. 11, the functions “Function11” and “Function12” associated with each other belonging to the function 1 (Function1) according to the arrangement of the cursor 50 on the display area corresponding to the function 1 (Function1). And “Function13” are enlarged and displayed at the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if only the focused function among the functions belonging to each function 1 is enlarged, that is, for example, the function belonging to function 1 “Function11”, “Function12”, and “Function13” may be individually enlarged.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and it goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing system in which printing execution is controlled based on a printer driver that provides a setting screen for a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an output process of job data to be printed that is executed using a printer driver on a PC side. It is a flowchart about the process which counts the change frequency of the function performed at the time of the confirmation of the setting content on a setting screen. It is a flowchart about the process which counts the usage frequency of the function performed at the time of the printing execution instruction | indication on a setting screen. It is a flowchart about the display control processing of a setting screen. It is a flowchart showing the detail of step # 32 (function classification step) in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of step # 32 (function classification step) in FIG. 5 different from FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting screen under the standard setting where the display control based on the use frequency or change frequency of each function is not performed. It is a figure which shows the setting screen after display control based on the use frequency or change frequency of each function was performed. It is a flowchart about the display control process of the setting screen performed at the time of operation by a user. It is a figure which shows the setting screen in the state by which display control was performed according to the operation condition by a user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 10 ... PC, 20 ... Printer, 40 ... Printer driver, 43 ... Setting screen management part, 43a ... Display control part, 43b ... Character string holding | maintenance part, 43c ... Frequency counter, 50 ... Cursor.

Claims (11)

In a user interface having a setting screen for a user to set each function implemented in the device when using a predetermined device
Character string holding means for holding a first character string and a second character string having a larger number of characters than the first character string as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen;
A discriminating means for discriminating usage history of each function by the user;
Selection means for selecting the first character string or the second character string from the character string holding means as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen based on the use history determined by the determination means; And a user interface. In a user interface having a setting screen for a user to set each function implemented in the device when using a predetermined device,
Character string holding means for holding a first character string and a second character string having a larger number of characters than the first character string as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen;
An identification means for identifying an operation status by the user on the setting screen;
The first character string or the second character string is selected from the character string holding means as a character string representing each function used on the setting screen in accordance with an operation situation by the user identified by the identification means. And a selection means.   Further, the above-described counting means for counting the frequency of use or change of each function set on the setting screen, and the function having a relatively high frequency of use or change of the function counted by the count means, 3. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising display area setting means for setting a display area wider than the standard time so that two character strings are displayed.   4. The user interface according to claim 3, wherein the display area setting means sets a display area only for a function having a relatively high use frequency or change frequency of the function counted by the counting means.   4. The user interface according to claim 3, wherein the display area setting means sets a display area narrower than the standard time for a function whose use frequency or change frequency of the function counted by the counting means is relatively low.   Further, for the counting means for counting the frequency of use of each function or the change frequency of the function set on the setting screen, and the function having a relatively low use frequency or change frequency of the function counted by the counting means, 3. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising display area setting means for setting a display area wider than the standard time so that the second character string is displayed.   7. The user interface according to claim 6, wherein the display area setting means sets a display area narrower than the standard time for a function whose use frequency or change frequency of the function counted by the counting means is relatively high.   The display area setting means sets a display area wider than the standard time for the focused function in response to a user operation on the setting screen, while displaying a narrower display than the standard time for the function not focused. The user interface according to claim 2, wherein an area is set.   The display area setting means sets a display area wider than the standard time for the function related to the function in addition to the focused function, while the function related to the function is set to the function related to the function. 9. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein a display area narrower than the standard time is set.   The display area setting means displays a standard character string having the number of characters that is greater than or equal to the first character string and less than or equal to the second character string when all of the functions on the setting screen are not focused. 10. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein a standard time display area is set in the user interface. The first character string is a character string that expresses the function in a concise manner, while the second character string is a character string that expresses the function in more detail. The user interface according to any one of the above.

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