JP2007213591A - Print information setting device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize resources of a storage medium for displaying image data. <P>SOLUTION: A card CD4X for "advanced print" is displayed in a dialog box DBX for data input, which is displayed on a display device by a printer driver. The card CD4X is switched to or from a card for "easy print" every time a button BT is clicked. Base image data including an area DA for data input and an area IA for illustration display is displayed whichever card is selected, and an area EDA for extension data input is displayed only when switched to the card CD4X for "advanced print". Therefore, base image data representing the area DA for data input and the area IA for illustration display is shared to display both cards. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention displays various data for printing in a predetermined printing apparatus by displaying a data input window on a display device and taking in input data from the input device operated according to the display of the data input window. It relates to the technology to set.

  Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data created by the computer is to be printed on the printer, it is necessary to incorporate software called a printer driver in the computer. The printer driver is a computer program that controls various printer information such as printer functions, interfaces, font information, and control codes in the computer and controls the printer, and is prepared for each printer model to be printed.

  The user can operate the computer to start the printer driver installed in the computer and set various information. To make such settings, a dialog box for data entry is displayed on the display. Then, according to the display, the keyboard and mouse are operated to input data. As a result, various information can be set in the printer driver.

  In such a printer driver, depending on the extent of the range of functions defined by various information, it is desired to prepare two types of data input dialog boxes for low functions and high functions. For beginners of computers, a dialog box for low functions is provided, and for advanced users, a dialog box for high functions is provided.

  In such a configuration, image data of two types of dialog boxes is required, and there is a problem in that resources of a storage medium such as a hard disk for storing these image data cannot be used effectively.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to effectively use the resources of the storage medium.

In order to solve such a problem, the apparatus of the present invention
By displaying the data input window on the display device by the display control means and taking in the input data from the input device operated in accordance with the display of the data input window, various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is obtained. In the print information setting device to be set,
Parameter input means for inputting a parameter indicating the extent of the range of functions defined by the various information;
The display control means includes
A basic display area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various types of information are displayed as parameters from the parameter input means. First control means provided in the basic display area regardless of the content of
A second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is provided in the extended display area only when it is determined that it is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. And 2 control means.

  According to this configuration, when the first group of data input fields is displayed in the basic display area according to the content of the parameter indicating the extent of the function range defined by various information for printing, the basic display area It is possible to switch to the case where the first group data input field is displayed in the second display area and the second group data input field is displayed in the extended display area. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present invention, when two types of data input windows having different function ranges are displayed, the image data indicating the first group of data input fields for displaying the basic display area is shared. Can do. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the image data required for display, and as a result, it is possible to effectively use the resources of the storage medium for storing the image data.

  The above-described printing apparatus may be configured to have a printing function, and may be a single apparatus such as a printer, or may be a printing mechanism built in a specific apparatus (for example, a facsimile apparatus). There may be. In the invention described later, the printing device may be a single device or a printing mechanism built in a specific device.

  In the print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the parameter input unit includes a switch display unit that displays a switch in the data input window, and a signal acquisition that takes in a signal generated by the operation of the switch by the input device as the parameter. It can be set as a structure provided with an insertion means.

  According to this configuration, the operator can input a parameter indicating the extent of the function range by operating the switch in the data input window using the input device. Therefore, in this print information setting apparatus, the display of the data input window can be switched according to the will of the operator.

  Further, in the print information setting device, the second control unit prohibits the provision of the second group of data input fields when the parameter indicates a low function with a small function range. It can be set as the structure provided with a means.

  According to this configuration, when a parameter indicating a low function is input, only the basic display area provided with the first group of data input fields is displayed in the data input window.

  In the print information setting device, when the parameter indicates the low function, guidance information for assisting data input from the data input column of the first group is displayed in the extended display in the data input window. It can also be set as the structure provided with the 3rd control means provided in an area | region.

  According to this configuration, when a parameter indicating a low function is input, the first group of data input fields are displayed in the basic display area in the data input window, and the extended display area in the data input window is displayed. Displays guidance information for assisting data entry from the data entry field. Therefore, for beginners who are highly likely to use for low functions, data can be easily input by viewing the displayed guidance information.

  In the printing control apparatus, the printing control apparatus includes storage means for storing an array of work procedures obtained by dividing the work necessary for setting the various information into a plurality of groups and ordering the groups, and the data input of the first group The column is the one in which the arrangement of each data input column is determined according to the sequence of work procedures stored in the storage means, and the guidance information indicates the explanatory text explaining the work for each group It can also be set as the structure which is.

  According to this configuration, data can be input in accordance with the ordering of work groups necessary for setting various types of information, and it is possible to prevent entry of information to be set or incorrect setting of information items to be set. can do.

The method of this invention
Print information for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device by displaying a data input window on a display device and taking in input data from the input device operated according to the display of the data input window In the setting method,
(A) a step of inputting a parameter indicating a degree of a function range defined by the various information;
(B) A basic input area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various information is provided as the parameter input means. Providing in the basic display area regardless of the content of the parameters from
(C) The extended display area only when it is determined that a second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. And a step of providing the step.

  According to the method of the present invention, as in the apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to effectively use the resources of the storage medium for storing the image data.

The recording medium of the present invention is
Displaying a data input window on a display device and taking in input data from the input device operated according to the display of the data input window to set various information for printing in a predetermined printing device A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program,
(A) a function of inputting a parameter indicating the extent of the range of functions defined by the various information;
(B) A basic input area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various information is provided as the parameter input means. A function to be provided in the basic display area regardless of the content of the parameters from
(C) The extended display area only when it is determined that a second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. The computer program for making a computer implement | achieve the function provided in is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The recording medium of the present invention has an effect that the resources of the storage medium for storing the image data can be effectively used, similarly to the apparatus of the present invention and the method of the present invention.

  The present invention includes other aspects as follows. The aspect is an aspect as a program supply apparatus that supplies a computer program that causes a computer to realize the functions of the respective steps or means of the invention described above via a communication path. In such an aspect, the above method and apparatus can be realized by placing the program on a server on a network, etc., downloading a necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program.

  In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a computer 10 and a CRT display 12 and a printer 14 as peripheral devices. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18, and a mouse 20. The computer main body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22. The printer 14 is a so-called ink jet printer that forms dots on the surface of the paper by ejecting ink droplets. The printer 14 transports the paper in the sub-scanning direction while reciprocating the carriage in the main scanning direction. The image is recorded.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of the computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer main body 16 includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, a keyboard interface 35, an FDC 36, an HDC 37, and a CRTC 38, which are mutually connected by a bus with a central processing unit CPU 30. A printer interface 39 and an I / O port 40.

  The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that stores various built-in programs and the like. The RAM 32 is a readable / writable memory for storing various data. The display image memory 33 is a memory for storing image data of an image to be displayed on the CRT display 12. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that manages data exchange with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is an interface that manages key input from the keyboard 18. The FDC 36 is a floppy disk controller that controls the floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. The HDC 37 is a hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41. The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls display of an image on the CRT display 12 based on display image data stored in the display image memory 33. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls the output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 includes a serial output port, and is connected to a modem 44, and is connected to a public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and can be connected to a specific server 48.

  In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41, and when the computer main body 16 is turned on, it is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32 according to the loader written in the boot block of the HDD 41. A printer driver prepared for each model of the printer 14 is stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and is installed in the computer main body 16 from the floppy disk drive 24 by starting a predetermined installation program. The installed printer driver is stored in the HDD 41. When the computer main body 16 is turned on, the installed printer driver is incorporated into the operating system and loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32.

  Various constituent requirements of the present invention are realized by the CPU 30 executing the printer driver. As described above, the printer driver software program is stored in the floppy disk 22, but instead of this, other portable recording media such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card. It is good also as a structure stored in (portable recording medium). The software program described above can also be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring the program data to the RAM 32 or the HDD 41. .

  Next, how printing is performed by the computer system having the hardware configuration described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52 while processing the image by the application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. When the application program 51 issues a print instruction, the printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives the image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal that can be printed by the printer 14.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 53 includes a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and image information (floor level) converted into color information in dot units. A color correction module 55 that performs color correction on the tone data) according to the color development characteristics of the printer 14, so-called expressing density in a certain area depending on the presence or absence of ink in dot units from image information after color correction. A halftone module 56 for generating halftone image information is provided. In addition, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided inside the printer driver 53. Various information for printing includes information related to basic printing settings such as print quality, color correction, and halftone type, and information related to paper settings such as paper size and printing direction.

  The color correction information set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55, and the halftone type information is sent to the halftone module 56. The information setting module 57 displays an image indicating the setting contents on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52. Inside the information setting module 57, a first control unit 57a and a second control unit 57b are provided as main parts of the present invention. Since the operation of each module except the information setting module 57 is well known, the description thereof will be omitted in principle, and the information setting module 57 will be described below.

  The printer driver 53 can control various printing by the printer 14 by changing the setting, but the operator needs to perform such setting in advance. The information setting module 57 executes such an operation for setting various information for printing. Here, what kind of screen is displayed on the CRT display 12 by the operation of the information setting module 57 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) will be described as an example of an operating system on which the printer driver operates.

  The operator first operates the computer 10 as follows to display a dialog box for setting various information for printing on the CRT display 12. That is, a “printer” window is opened by performing an operation of [start] → [setting] → [printer]. Then double-click on the icon of the desired printer on that window to open the window for that printer. Thereafter, [Printer] → [Property] is operated from the window to display a property dialog box for setting various information about the printer.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DBX when it is opened. As shown in the figure, in the dialog box DBX, five types of cards CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD5 of “information”, “details”, “share”, “easy print”, and “utility” are prepared. . The “information” card CD1 is for setting information about the printer such as a comment of the printer. The “detail” card CD2 is used for setting detailed information about the printer such as a port to which the printer is connected. The “shared” card CD3 is used for setting for sharing the printer through the network. The “simple printing” card CD4 is for setting only basic information for the purpose of simple printing by beginners. The “utility” card CD5 is used to give an instruction when it is desired to check the current state of the printer such as the remaining amount of ink. Any one of these cards CD1 to CD5 is selected by the operator by operating the mouse 20 and displayed on the dialog box DBX.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the “easy print” card CD4 is opened. As shown in the figure, the “easy print” card CD4 is provided with a data input area DA for receiving data input from the operator at the center, and input from the data input area DA on the left side thereof. An illustration display area IA showing a part of various information as an illustration is provided, and a guidance display area GA indicating a guidance sentence for assisting data input from the data input area DA is provided on the right side thereof. Yes. Each area DA, IA, GA is assigned to each of three areas separated by broken lines (not actually displayed on the screen) in the figure.

  The data input area DA is divided into four data input parts P1, P2, P3 and P4 indicating the first to fourth operations. The first to fourth operations shown in these data input parts P1 to P4 are obtained by dividing the operations required for setting the simple printing into four groups and ordering each group first. The work of checking the document size is assigned the second work of selecting the paper to be set in the printer, the third work of selecting the print quality, and the fourth work of selecting the number of copies to be printed. . Note that numerals 1 to 4 indicating the ordering numbers are clearly indicated on the data input parts P1 to P4.

  The first data input part P1 is provided with two data input fields fd1 and fd2 for “original size” and “paper direction” as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator. The “original size” data input field fd1 is used to set the size of an original created by the computer 10, and is set from a list such as “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “B5 182 × 257 mm”, and the like. The “paper direction” data input field fd2 indicates the printing direction of the document, and “vertical” or “horizontal” is set.

  The second data input part P2 is provided with two data input fields fd3 and fd4 for “paper size” and “paper type” as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator. The “paper size” data entry field fd3 is used to set the paper size to be used. For example, “A4 210 × 297 mm”, “B5 182 × 257 mm”, “Western envelope 120 × 235 mm”, “postcard 100 × 147 mm”. Etc. "is set from the list. The “paper type” data entry field fd4 is used to set the paper type, and is set from a list of “plain paper”, “super fine paper”, “exclusive glossy paper”, and the like.

  The third data input part P3 is provided with “mode setting” and “ink” data input fields fd5 and fd6 as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator. The “mode setting” data input field fd5 is composed of a slide lever-type button, which sets the quality of printing by the printer 14. Specifically, the characters “clean” and “fast” are clearly shown at both ends of the slide lever, and by dragging the slide lever portion with the mouse 20, one of “clean” and “fast” is selected. Can be selected.

  The options on both sides of the slide lever are values such as “clean” and “fast” as described above, but this is indicated in the “paper type” input field fd4 of the second data input part P2. This is when “plain paper” is set. On the other hand, when another paper type is set in the “paper type” input field fd4, a plurality of other values, specifically “cleaner”, “clean”, “standard”. , Any two values selected from “fast” are displayed. Here, “fast” means that printing is performed by a printing method in which the printing speed is given priority over printing quality, and this “fast” is also a kind of value that determines the degree of printing quality.

  The “ink” data input field fd6 is used to set the type of ink used in the printer 14, and “color” and “black” are prepared as options.

  The fourth data input part P4 is provided with a “number of copies” data input field fd7 as a data input field for receiving data input from the operator. The “number of copies” data input field fd7 is used to set the number of copies to be printed.

  The operator operates the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20 to input data to the data input fields fd1 to fd7 provided in the first to fourth data input parts P1 to P4. The data input fields fd1 to fd7 correspond to the first group of data input fields in the claims.

  In the illustration display area IA, as described above, a part of various information input from the data input area DA is shown by an illustration. Specifically, the “paper size” input from the data input field fd3 is shown. ”And“ paper direction ”input from the data input field fd2 are displayed. That is, when “paper size” is input in A4, the message ms instructing the paper portion of the upper printer illustration is “A4 210 × 297 mm”, and “paper orientation” is input in “vertical”. In this case, the letter “A” ch drawn in the illustration on the lower sheet is displayed in the vertical direction.

  The guidance display area GA indicates a guidance sentence for assisting data input from the data input area DA as described above, and more specifically, the first to fourth data input parts P1 to P4. Guidance sentences g1, g2, g3, and g4 for the first to fourth operations described above are sequentially displayed. Specifically, for each of the guidance sentences g1 to g4, “Step 1 Check the document size”, “Step 2 Select the paper to be set in the printer”, “Step 3 Select the print quality”, “ Step 4: Select the number of copies to print ".

  Further, the “easy print” card CD4 is provided with a button BT for switching this card to a “high function print” card for advanced users. When this button BT is clicked with the mouse 20, the “easy print” card CD4 is switched to the “high function print” card. That is, this button BT is used to input a command for switching a parameter indicating the extent of the function range determined from the set information between a low function with a small range and a high function with a large range. It is. The button BT is included in the data input area DA.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the dialog box DBX in a state where the “high function printing” card CD4X is opened. This “high function printing” card CD4X is for setting information on the extended function in addition to the basic information on “simple printing” for the purpose of high function printing by advanced users. As shown in the figure, the “high function printing” card CD4X is provided with a data input area DA and an illustration display area IA that are common to the “easy printing” card CD4, and the “initial setting” card. An extended data input area EDA is provided in place of the guidance display area GA of CD4.

  The extended data input area EDA is for expanding the data input parts P1 to P4 of the data input area DA, and is divided into four corresponding to the data input parts P1 to P4. Each of the divided areas EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 is provided with various data input fields that are added as advanced settings in the data input parts P1 to P4. In this embodiment, the data entry field is not provided for the first area EP1 at the top.

  In the second area EP2, a “magnification” data input field fd11 and a “centering” data input field fd12 are provided as additional data input fields for the sheet. The “magnification” data input field fd11 is used to set the enlargement / reduction magnification to an arbitrary magnification that is not automatically determined from the paper size. The “centering” data input field fd12 defines a printable area on the sheet at the center.

  In the third area EP3, a “detailed setting” button fd13 is provided as an additional data input field for print quality. When the “detailed setting” button fd13 is clicked with the mouse 20, a dialog box (not shown) for performing manual setting is displayed on the screen. This dialog box has data entry fields that can be used to set various data such as “halftone”, “microweave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” with high accuracy. Therefore, detailed data setting is possible by inputting data by operating the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20.

  In the fourth area EP4, a check box fd14 for “print in units” and a check box fd15 for “reverse printing” are provided as additional data input fields relating to the number of copies to be printed. The check box “fd14” of “Print in units of copies” is specified when printing two or more copies and when printing one copy. The “reverse order printing” check box fd15 is designated when printing in the reverse order of the page order. The fourth area EP4 is provided with a “layout” data input field fd16 and a “stamp mark” data input field fd17 in addition to information relating to the number of copies to be printed. The “layout” data input field fd16 is used to set the number of pages to be allocated to one print sheet. The “stamp mark” data input field fd17 is used for setting a stamp mark for printing with a mark. Here, “marked printing” refers to printing in which marks such as “secret”, “important”, “urgent”, etc. (these marks are called stamp marks) are automatically added on the printing screen.

  The operator operates the keyboard 18 and the mouse 20 to input data to the data input fields fd11 to fd17 provided in the second to fourth areas EP2 to EP4. These data input fields fd11 to fd17 correspond to a second group of data input fields in the claims.

  A button BT is also provided in the data input area DA of the “high function printing” card CD4X. When this button BT is clicked by the mouse 20, the “high function printing” card CD4X is switched to the “simple printing” card CD4 shown in FIG.

  The above-described screen display on the CRT display 12 is performed by operating the information setting module 57 of the printer driver 53, that is, when the CPU 30 executes a processing routine corresponding to the information setting module 57. Next, the processing routine of the information setting module 57 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print setting processing routine related to the card CD4 in the processing routine of the information setting module 57. This print setting processing routine is executed when the tab of the card CD4 is clicked by the mouse 20 from the five types of cards CD1 to CD5 displayed in the dialog box DBX.

  As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU 30 first executes a card display process for displaying an image of the “easy print” card CD4 or the “high function print” card CD4X on the CRT display 12 (step S1). S100). Thereafter, in response to a data input operation using the keyboard 18 and mouse 20 by the operator who has viewed the display screen of the CRT display 12, various data are input (step S200), and the input various data are stored in the RAM 32. Is stored in the print setting information file (step S300). After execution of step S300, the process waits for the operator to click the “OK” button BTOK (see FIGS. 4 and 5) on the display screen, and returns to “Return” to end the process.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the card display processing routine executed in step S100. This processing routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 7, when the processing is started, the CPU 30 first determines whether or not the execution of this processing routine is the first execution for this printer driver (step S110). If it is determined that the image data is the first, the image data Dp0 indicating the outer periphery of the card CD4 is read from the RAM 32 (or the HDD 41 storing the printer driver) (step S120), and the image data Dp0 of the outer periphery is displayed. The image is transferred to the image memory 33 (step S130).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by the image data Dp0. As shown in the drawing, the image data Dp0 is image data of an image showing the outer periphery of the card CD4 and the portions of the tags TG1 to TG4 shown in FIG. The image of the card CD4 represented by the image data Dp0 is divided into a basic display area Ar1 and an extended display area Ar2.

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 reads the base image data Dp1 as the base portion of the card CD4 from the RAM 32 (or the HDD 41 in which the printer driver is stored) (step S140), and transfers the base image data Dp1 to the display image memory 33 (step S140). Step S150). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by the base image data Dp1. As shown in the figure, the base image data Dp1 is image data indicating a range including the data input area DA and the illustration display area IA of the card CD4 shown in FIG. 4, and the character portion in the tag of the card CD4. This is image data of an image in which Pt1, the illustration portion Pt2 in the illustration display area IA, the various data input fields fd1 to fd7 in the data input area DA, and the button BT are blank. In step S150, the base image data Dp1 is stored in the display image memory 33. The storage position is a position corresponding to the basic display area Ar1 formed by the outer peripheral image data Dp0 transferred in step S130.

  Returning to FIG. 7, after execution of step 150, the CPU 30 sets the flag F to 0 (step S160). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 30 determines whether the flag F is 0 or 1 (step S170). If it is determined that the value is 0, the first extended image data is determined. Dp2 is read from the RAM 32 (or the HDD 41 storing the printer driver) (step S180), and the first extended image data Dp2 is transferred to the display image memory 33 (step S181).

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by the first extended image data Dp2. As shown in the figure, the first extended image data Dp2 is image data representing an image of the guidance display area GA of the “easy print” card CD4 shown in FIG. In step S181, the first extended image data Dp2 is transferred to the display image memory 33. The transfer position is a position corresponding to the extended display area Ar2 formed by the outer peripheral image data Dp0 transferred in step S130.

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 transfers the character string “Easy Print” to the character portion Pt1 in the tab of the card CD4 in the display image memory 33, and the character string “Proceed to high function printing” to the display image memory. The process of transferring to the part inside the button BT of the card CD4 in 33 is performed (step S182). Thereafter, the CPU 30 reads out various data corresponding to the data input fields fd1 to fd7 of the “easy print” card CD4 from the print setting information file stored in the RAM, and displays the contents of the various data in the display image memory. The image data is transferred to a corresponding location in the image data 33 (step S183). This print setting information file is updated in step S300 of FIG. 6, but it is assumed that an initial value is prepared in advance when the printer driver is first executed. Therefore, only when the step S183 is executed for the first time, the initial value of the print setting information file is transferred to the display image memory 33.

  After executing step S183, the CPU 30 operates the CRTC 38 to control the display of the image on the CRT display 12 based on the image data stored in the display image memory 33 (step S184). As a result, the image of the “easy print” card CD 4 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the CRT display 12. After execution of step S184, the process returns to “RETURN” and the process is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 in FIG. 7 that it is not the first execution, the process proceeds to step S190. In step S190, it is determined whether or not the card switching button BT for switching between the “easy print” card CD4 and the “high function print” card CD4X is clicked by the mouse 20. Here, if it is determined that the button has been clicked, the value of the flag F is inverted, that is, when the flag F is 0, the value is changed to 1 and when the value is 1, the value is changed to 0 (step S191). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S170 of FIG. 8 described above.

  In step S170, as described above, it is determined whether the flag F is 0 or 1. However, if it is determined that the value is 1, the process proceeds to step S192. In step S192, the CPU 30 reads the second extended image data Dp3 from the RAM 32 (or the HDD 41 in which the printer driver is stored). Thereafter, the CPU 30 transfers the second extended image data Dp3 to the display image memory 33 (step S193).

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by the second extended image data Dp3. As shown in the drawing, the second extended image data Dp3 is the extended data input area EDA of the “high function printing” card CD4X shown in FIG. 5, and the insides of the various data input fields fd11 to fd17 are blank. This is image data of an image. In step S193, this image data is stored in the display image memory 33. The storage position is a position corresponding to the extended display area Ar2 formed by the outer peripheral image data Dp0 transferred in step S150. At the time of this storage, the first extended image data Dp2 stored in step S181 is already stored in the extended display area Ar2, and in step S193, the second extended image data Dp3 is overwritten. Store. Even in the above-described step S181, if image data has already been stored in the extended display area Ar2, the storage is performed so that new image data is overwritten. As a result of step S193, the display image memory 33 stores image data indicating the image shown in FIG. 5 in which the various data input fields fd11 to fd17 in the extended data input area EDA are blank. Will be prepared.

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 transfers the character string “high function printing” to the character portion in the tab of the card CD 4 in the display image memory 33, and the character string “proceed to easy printing” in the display image memory 33. A process of transferring to the inside of the button BT of the inner card CD4 is performed (step S194). Thereafter, the CPU 30 reads out various data corresponding to the data input fields fd11 to fd17 prepared in the extended data input area EDA of the “high function printing” card CD4X from the print setting information file stored in the RAM. Then, the contents of the various data are transferred to corresponding portions of the image data in the display image memory 33 (step S195).

  After executing step S195, the CPU 30 advances the process to step S183 to transfer various data corresponding to the data input fields fd1 to fd7 of the “easy print” card CD4 to the display image memory 33 as described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S184, and the display of the image on the CRT display 12 is controlled based on the image data stored in the display image memory 33 as described above. After execution of step S184, the process returns to “RETURN” and the process is temporarily terminated.

  As a result, the image of the “high function printing” card CD 4 X illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the CRT display 12. After execution of step S198, the process returns to “RETURN” to end the process.

  If it is determined in step S190 in FIG. 7 that the button BT has not been clicked, it is determined whether the flag F is 0 or 1 (step S196). Advances the process to step S183 in FIG. 8, while if the value is 1, advances the process to step S195 in FIG. As a result, the contents of the image data stored in the display image memory remain unchanged, and various data input fields (data input fields fd1 to fd7 included in the data input area DA and, if necessary, the extended data input area EDA). Various data corresponding to the included data input fields fd11 to fd17) are transferred to the display image memory, and the contents of the display image memory 33 are displayed on the CRT display 12. Thereafter, this processing routine is temporarily terminated.

  Using the “easy print” card CD4 or “high function print” card CD4X displayed on the CRT display 12 in this way, the data input operation is performed as described above (step S200 in FIG. 6). ).

  As described in detail above, according to the print setting processing routine, the button BT is clicked on the “easy print” card CD4 and the “high function print” card CD4X in the dialog box DBX for data input. However, only when switching to the “high function printing” card CD4X, the base image data Dp1 is displayed for any of the cards CD4 and CD4X. The extended data input area EDA is further displayed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the display of the “easy print” card CD4 and the “high function print” card CD4X is performed by sharing the base image data Dp1 representing the data input area DA and the illustration display area IA. be able to. For this reason, the capacity of the image data required for display can be reduced, and the resources of the storage medium such as the HDD 41 for storing the image data can be effectively used.

  In this embodiment, the “simple print” card CD4 is configured such that a guidance text for assisting data input from the data input area DA is displayed in the extended display area Ar2. Therefore, there is also an effect that the beginner can easily input data by looking at the displayed guidance sentence.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, each time the card switching button BT on the screen is clicked by the mouse 20, the “easy print” card CD4 and the “high function print” card CD4X are switched. However, instead of this, the card CD4, CD4X may be switched each time a predetermined key on the keyboard 18 is pressed.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the “easy print” card CD4 and the “high function print” card CD4X are frequently switched in response to a user operation command. Then, when installing the printer driver, it is specified by the mouse 20 or the keyboard 18 whether it is for beginners or advanced users, and the card CD4 for "easy printing" or the card CD4X for "high function printing" depending on the designation result. May be displayed all the time thereafter. According to this configuration, the provider of the printer driver can correspond to two types for beginners and advanced users by simply providing one printer driver to the market. Further, as described above, instead of the configuration in which an instruction from the operator such as the mouse 20 or the keyboard 18 is received at the time of installation, it may be configured to determine whether the function is low or high according to the corresponding printer model. That is, at the time of installation, the computer 10 automatically determines whether to display the “easy print” card CD4 or the “high function print” card CD4X according to the parameter indicating the printer model. You can also

  Further, in the above embodiment, the guidance text for assisting data input from the data input area DA is displayed in the vacant extended display area Ar2 in the “easy print” card CD4. Instead of this, various types of information such as the following may be displayed in the extended display area Ar2.

(3) As shown in FIG. 13, a list display field EA showing various information for printing that is currently set may be displayed. In the illustrated example, the list display field EA includes “print quality mode”, “resolution”, “halftone”, “ink”, “microweave”, “bidirectional printing”, “horizontal inversion”, The current settings for “color adjustment” and the like are shown.

(4) As shown in FIG. 14, an advertisement column EB indicating a commercial advertisement of the printer driver provider may be displayed.

(5) Further, in the embodiment, four guidance sentences g1, g2, g3, and g4 respectively corresponding to the first to fourth data input parts P1 to P4 are sequentially displayed as guidance sentences. However, instead of this, as shown in FIG. 15, guidance on the data input part (second data input part P2 in the example of FIG. 15) that is active in the data input area DA. Only the sentence image data GP2 may be displayed. In this case, as shown in the figure, an illustration image GP2b that clearly indicates the guidance sentence can be displayed in addition to the character string GP2a of the guidance sentence because of the display space.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. it can. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 14 is applied to a computer system directly connected to the local computer 10 via a cable. Instead, a printer connected to a server on the LAN is shared by a plurality of computers. It is good also as a structure applied to the computer system to do. Alternatively, a printer connected to a server connected via the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet. In the above-described embodiment, the printer 14 is applied to a computer system connected to the computer 10. However, instead, the printer 14 may be applied to a facsimile machine incorporating a printing mechanism.

1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of a computer system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog box DBX in a state where a “simple print” card CD4 is opened. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog box DBX in a state in which a “high function printing” card CD4X is opened. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting process routine executed by a CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the first half part of the card | curd display process routine performed by CPU30. It is a flowchart which shows the second half part of a card | curd display process routine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by image data Dp0. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by base image data Dp1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by 1st expansion image data Dp2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by 2nd extended image data Dp3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure by which the list display column EA was displayed as a modification of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure by which the advertisement column EB was displayed as a modification of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure by which the image data GP2 of the guidance sentence was displayed as a modification of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 14 ... Printer 16 ... Computer main body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk 24 ... Floppy disk drive 30 ... CPU
31 ... ROM
32 ... RAM
33 ... Display image memory 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 36 ... FDC
37 ... HDC
38 ... CRTC
39 ... Printer interface 40 ... I / O port 41 ... HDD
44 ... modem 46 ... public telephone line 48 ... server 51 ... application program 52 ... video driver 53 ... printer driver 54 ... rasterizer 55 ... color correction module 56 ... halftone module 57 ... information setting module Ar1 ... basic display area Ar2 ... extended display Area Dp1 ... Base image data Dp2 ... First extended image data Dp3 ... Second extended image data

Claims (10)

By displaying the data input window on the display device by the display control means and taking in the input data from the input device operated in accordance with the display of the data input window, various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is obtained. In the print information setting device to be set,
Parameter input means for inputting a parameter indicating the extent of the range of functions defined by the various information;
The display control means includes
A basic display area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various types of information are displayed as parameters from the parameter input means. First control means provided in the basic display area regardless of the content of
A second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is provided in the extended display area only when it is determined that it is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. A printing information setting device comprising: 2 control means. The print information setting device according to claim 1,
The parameter input means includes
Switch display means for displaying a switch in the data input window;
A print information setting device comprising: a signal capturing unit that captures, as the parameter, a signal generated by operating the switch by the input device. The print information setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The second control means includes
A print information setting apparatus comprising: means for prohibiting the provision of the second group of data input fields when the parameter indicates a low function with a small function range. In the printing information setting device according to claim 3,
Third control means for providing guidance information for assisting data input from the data input field of the first group in the extended display area in the data input window when the parameter indicates the low function A print information setting device. The print information setting device according to claim 4,
Storage means for storing an array of work procedures obtained by dividing the work required for setting the various information into a plurality of groups and ordering each group;
In the first group of data input fields, the arrangement of the data input fields is determined according to the sequence of work procedures stored in the storage means.
The printing information setting device, wherein the guidance information indicates an explanatory text for explaining the work for each group. Print information for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device by displaying a data input window on a display device and taking in input data from the input device operated according to the display of the data input window In the setting method,
(A) a step of inputting a parameter indicating a degree of a function range defined by the various information;
(B) A basic input area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various information is provided as the parameter input means. Providing in the basic display area regardless of the content of the parameters from
(C) The extended display area only when it is determined that a second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. A printing information setting method comprising: Displaying a data input window on a display device and taking in input data from the input device operated according to the display of the data input window to set various information for printing in a predetermined printing device A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program,
(A) a function of inputting a parameter indicating the extent of the range of functions defined by the various information;
(B) A basic input area and an extended display area are formed in the data input window, and a first group of data input fields for inputting predetermined information among the various information is provided as the parameter input means. A function to be provided in the basic display area regardless of the content of the parameters from
(C) The extended display area only when it is determined that a second group of data input fields for inputting various information other than the predetermined information is necessary according to the content of the parameter from the parameter input means. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program for making a computer implement | achieve the function provided in this. The recording medium according to claim 7,
The function (a) is:
(A1) a function of displaying a switch in the data input window;
(A2) A recording medium having a function of taking a signal generated by the operation of the switch by the input device as the parameter. The recording medium according to claim 7 or 8,
The function (c) is:
(C1) A recording medium having a function of prohibiting the provision of a second group of data input fields when the parameter indicates a low function with a small function range. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein
(D) A function of providing guidance information for assisting data input from the data input field of the first group in the extended display area in the data input window when the parameter indicates the low function. A recording medium that records a computer program for causing a computer to realize the above.

Images