JP2008055787A - Image processor, information processor, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor, an information processor, and a control method and program for the image processor, which easily set a type of sheets to be handled by the image processor. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor 12 issues a print command to the image processor 14 which includes: a paper feed tray; an allotment means for allotting a type of paper to be fed by the paper feed tray by a custom setting; and a communication means for deleting a paper type fed by the paper feed tray from a menu display for setting the paper type, or for displaying it in an active display. The information processor 12 is provided with: a communication control means 36 for inquiring for paper type data which designates the tray, via a network 16, and acquires the paper type data retrieved by using the allotment by the allotment means from the image processor; and a display control means 42 for deleting the paper type not to be fed by the paper feed tray from a menu display for setting the paper type, or displaying it in an active display, by using the received paper type data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a control method for an image processing apparatus, and a program that facilitate setting of a paper type handled by the image processing apparatus.

  As the types of images to be processed by the image processing apparatus are diversified, the paper size to be used by the image processing apparatus is increasing. In recent years, not only fixed sizes such as A5, B5, and A4 but also limited functions such as functions limited by paper size, thickness, paper type, and specific attributes (materials) of paper used by a specific user have been defined. There has also been proposed an image processing apparatus for custom paper types that enables printing.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-210443 (Patent Document 1), an image for selecting a first paper size setting associated with a desired paper size from a plurality of paper size settings by a selection unit having a paper selection dial. A forming apparatus is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-328740 (Patent Document 2) discloses an image forming apparatus that allows a user to select a sheet desired when a sheet is not set from a computer.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-210443 JP 2001-328740 A

  As described above, an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus that set a paper type other than the standard desired by the user have been known. However, the image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 have a disadvantage that the paper setting by the user cannot be handled flexibly. On the other hand, if an arbitrary setting by the user is allowed as it is, the image forming apparatus or the image processing apparatus cannot cope with the setting process, and the setting process may be wasted or the printed output may be wasted. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and does not display the custom paper type set by the user in the paper selection window when the custom paper type setting by the user cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus. Prevents incorrect setting of custom paper type.

According to the present invention,
A paper tray,
Allocating means for allocating the paper type fed by the sheet feeding tray by custom setting;
An image processing apparatus is provided that includes display means for deleting a paper type that is not fed from the paper feed tray from the menu display of the paper type setting or displaying it by an inactive display.

  The present invention may include GUI means for receiving a print command for the paper type displayed on the menu for the paper feed tray. In the present invention, the allocating means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a paper type of the paper feed tray. A tray condition table to be specified can be included. The display unit of the present invention includes a menu table in which a paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, and the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute assigned to the paper feed tray is the assigning unit. The custom paper type searched can be selected from the menu table and displayed, or can be displayed actively. In the present invention, the custom paper type that has not been searched or the custom paper type of the custom paper type attribute can be deleted from the menu display or displayed by an inactive display. In the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a communication control unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus via a network, and can execute the search in response to an inquiry from the information processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, the paper feed tray, the assigning unit for assigning the paper type fed by the paper feed tray by custom setting, and the paper type fed by the paper feed tray are deleted from the menu display of the paper type setting. Or an information processing apparatus that issues a print command to an image processing apparatus including communication control means for displaying by inactive display, wherein the information processing apparatus includes:
Communication control means for inquiring paper type data designating the paper feed tray via a network, and acquiring the paper type data retrieved using the assignment by the assignment means from the image processing device;
Display control means for using the received paper type data to delete a paper type that is not fed by the paper feed tray from the paper type setting menu display or to display the paper type by an inactive display. An information processing apparatus can be provided.

  In the present invention, the allocating means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a paper type of the paper feed tray. A tray condition table to be specified can be included.

According to the present invention,
A control method for an image processing apparatus including a paper feed tray,
An assigning step of assigning a paper type to be fed by the paper feed tray according to a custom setting; a search step of querying an assigning unit for the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute assigned to the paper feed tray;
Of the entry items of the menu table in which the paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, the searched custom paper type is displayed or activated, and the custom paper type that has not been searched is deleted from the menu display. Or a display control step for displaying inactive display. An image processing apparatus control method can be provided.

  In the present invention, the allocating means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a paper type of the paper feed tray. A tray condition table to be specified, and the search step can search the custom paper type and the custom paper type attribute for the paper feed tray by an inquiry using the designation of the paper feed tray. In the present invention, the display control step includes a menu table in which a paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, and the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute assigned to the paper feed tray is set to the It is possible to include a step of querying the assigning means and selecting and displaying the searched custom paper type or the custom paper type of the custom paper type attribute from the menu table. According to the present invention, the designation of the paper feed tray can include a step of accepting the inquiry from an information processing apparatus connected externally via a network.

According to the present invention, an apparatus-executable program for executing a control method for an image processing apparatus including a paper feed tray, wherein the program feeds the image processing apparatus by the paper feed tray. Functional means for assigning paper types according to custom settings; functional means for querying the assignment means for the custom paper type assigned to the paper feed tray or the custom paper type attribute; and
Of the entry items of the menu table in which the paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, the searched custom paper type is displayed or activated, and the custom paper type that has not been searched is deleted from the menu display. Or a program that realizes functional means for displaying inactive.

  In the present invention, the assigning function means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a paper type of the paper feed tray. A tray condition table for designating, and the function step of retrieving retrieves the custom paper type and the custom paper type attribute for the paper feed tray by an inquiry using the designation of the paper feed tray, and a search result Corresponding to the above, it is possible to prohibit selection of paper types that cannot be fed from the menu display.

According to the present invention, the paper feed tray, the assigning means for assigning the paper type fed by the paper feed tray by custom setting, and the paper type fed by the paper feed tray are deleted from the menu display of the paper type setting. Or an apparatus executable program for issuing a print command to an image processing apparatus including a communication control means for displaying by inactive display, wherein the program is
Querying the paper type data designating the tray via the network, and obtaining the paper type data retrieved using the allocation by the allocation unit from the image processing device;
A function unit that deletes the paper type that is not fed by the paper feed tray using the received paper type data from the menu display of the paper type setting or displays it by an inactive display;
There is provided a program for realizing, in an information processing apparatus, functional means for issuing the print command in accordance with the menu display displayed in the function stage to be displayed.

  The program of the present invention may be printer driver software.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a printing system including the image processing apparatus of the present invention. The print system 10 includes a plurality of information processing devices 12 that function as information processing devices that process images and issue output commands, and an image processing device 14 connected to a network 16. The information processing apparatus 12 is connected to a network 16 configured as a LAN or WAN, and the image processing apparatus 14 functions as a network printer. The information processing apparatus 12 can be implemented as a personal computer, and functions in an operation system (OS) such as WINDOWS (registered trademark), UNIX (registered trademark), or LINUX (registered trademark). Provides the functionality of The image processing apparatus 14 is a multi-function printer (MFP) or laser printer that uses electrophotography.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus 14 of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 14 of FIG. 2 is configured as an MFP or the like, and executes image processing and outputs itself. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 14 also functions as a network printer, receives a print command and print data from the information processing apparatus 12 such as an externally connected personal computer, and executes the requested processing. The image processing apparatus 14 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a communication control unit 22 and acquires commands, data, and the like from the network 16. Commands and data received by the communication control unit 22 are transferred to the image formation control unit 32 via the internal bus 20 and include a photoconductor, a semiconductor laser, a fixing device, and the like under the control of the print control unit 34. The image is output from the image forming engine.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 14 includes a device information management unit 30, a storage device 24, and a UI control unit 26. The device information management unit 30 manages resources that can be used by the image processing apparatus 14, and manages various tables in which cassette types and paper types that can be used are registered in the present invention. The storage device 24 is configured as a RAM, a hard disk device, an EEPROM, an EPROM, or the like that stores software, data, and the like used by the information processing device 12, and software in response to a command from a central processing unit (CPU: not shown) And write / read data. The UI control unit 26 displays a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display (not shown) or the operation panel 28 of the information processing apparatus 12 in an open dock architecture or GDI environment. The UI control unit 26 performs display control of the operation panel and the display screen, receives an event input via the GUI, and issues a command corresponding to the event to the image formation control unit 32 and the print control unit 34.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer driver software installed in the information processing apparatus 12 of the present invention. The information processing device 12 inquires of the image processing device 14 about the paper data via the communication control unit 36, transmits a print command and print data, receives a response from the image processing device 14, Print execution, condition setting, and the like can be performed on the display control unit 42 via an application programming interface (API) 40. In response to a command from the user who uses the GUI displayed on the display device 38 for the document created by the information processing device 12 by software, the print data creation unit 44 performs page formatting of the document, such as GDI ( Set using Graphics Device Interface). The API 40 passes the command and data from the print / data creation unit 44 to the image processing apparatus 14 to execute print processing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the paper type data included in the information processing apparatus 12 of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a default paper type table 50 for entering a default paper type, and FIG. 4B is an implementation of the custom paper type table 52 for entering a custom paper type that allows custom setting by the user. The form is shown. In the custom paper type table 52, custom paper type attributes such as a setting name for identifying a custom setting, a paper type specified in the setting name, a paper thickness code, and a function restriction code are entered. When custom settings are input using a GUI or the like, they are registered as entry items in the table of FIG. The paper thickness code and the function restriction code can be entered in any form such as a decimal code, an octet code, a hexadecimal code, and a text in the custom paper type table 52. The implementation shown in FIG. In the form, in addition to designation by a text code, an embodiment in the case of designation by a decimal code is shown in the lower right column in the custom paper type table 52.

  FIG. 5 shows a tray condition table 54 for designating paper type assignment for the paper feed tray, which is included in the printer driver software of the present invention. In the tray condition table 54, a paper type ID to be assigned is entered for each tray identification value for identifying each tray. In the present invention, the tray condition table 54 is used to determine the paper type for a specific tray. In addition, in the present invention, the tray condition table 54 is directly used to calculate a set product with an entry item of a paper type menu table, which will be described later, and to display only the set product item as a menu. .

  FIG. 6 shows a menu table 56 in which menu items to be presented to the user through the GUI are entered. The menu table 56 includes, for example, plain paper, recycled paper, letterhead, film, colored paper, and other custom paper type IDs indicating that the user can set the paper type setting for the tray 1. To do. In the present invention, as a result of searching various tables, the paper type ID for the searched custom paper type is displayed for a specific paper feed tray. The user selects a paper type from the entry items displayed in the menu table 56 and executes print settings.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts from step S100, and accepts a paper type setting selection from the user via the GUI in step S101. In step S102, the paper type ID is searched from the top item of the set entry item of the tray identification value, and in step S103, it is determined whether or not the paper type ID is within the custom paper type range. If the paper type ID is a value that specifies a custom paper type (yes), the default paper type associated with the custom paper type table 52 is acquired in step S104, and the corresponding default paper type is determined in step S105. It is determined whether or not the entry item is in the tray condition table 54. If it is determined in step S105 that the corresponding default paper type is not in the tray condition table 54 (no), in step S106, the paper type is not displayed in the paper type setting menu, and the paper type for the tray is used. Do not allow print processing. Thereafter, the process selects the next paper type ID in step S109, and returns the process to step S103.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the paper type ID is not within the custom paper type range (no), the process branches to step S108, and the default paper type table 50 is referred to correspond to the paper type ID. The paper type name to be displayed is displayed, the process branches to step S109, and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the corresponding default paper type is in the tray condition table 54 (yes), the paper type name corresponding to the paper type ID in the custom paper type table 52 is displayed in step S107. In step S109, the process is repeated until the paper type ID of the entry item becomes the last, and the process is terminated in step S110 when there is no next paper type ID. In the processing of steps S107 and S108, paper types that can be used by active display / inactive display instead of display / non-display selection control can be presented to the user.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the GUI display 60 of the paper type setting menu displayed on the display screen of the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the menu table assigned to the tray 1 is plain paper (paper type ID = 1), recycled paper (paper type ID = 2), letterhead (paper type ID = 3), film. (Paper type ID = 4), colored paper (paper type ID = 6), custom 1 (paper type ID = 100), custom 2 (paper type ID = 101), custom 3 (paper type ID = 102), custom 4 (paper type ID = 103).

  On the other hand, the paper type ID assigned to the tray 1 is plain paper (paper type ID = 1), recycled paper (paper type ID = 2), letterhead (paper type ID = 3), film (paper type ID). = 4), colored paper (paper type ID = 6). As a result, the display corresponding to OHP and Custom 1 is not an element of the set product and is not displayed on the GUI display 60 of the paper type setting menu by the search for creating the set product.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a GUI display 62 of the paper type setting menu for the manual feed tray. As for the manual feed tray, as shown in FIG. 6, OHP and custom 1 are also assigned as paper types. As the search result, a result including OHP and custom 1 is returned. As a result, a button display for designating OHP and custom 1 is performed, and the user can designate it. As for the custom setting, when the user clicks a button or performs an operation input from the touch panel, a paper size specified by the user, for example, a noun, a postcard, a legal, a paper thickness, or the like can be set. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the paper type setting value storage table 64 for registering user-set data in the present invention. The paper type setting data specified by the user is registered as a paper type setting value storage table 64 in the storage device 24 constituted by NVRAM such as EEPROM or EPROM or a hard disk. Provides customized paper type settings for each user.

  FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram of a control method for the image processing apparatus 14 of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the device information management unit 30 notifies the UI control unit 26 of (1) a paper type ID for GUI display. The UI control unit 26 receives the notification of the paper type ID, and (2) determines whether the paper type ID is the default paper type with reference to the default paper type table 50. In response to the determination result, the UI control unit 26 transmits (3) a character string for displaying the paper type name to the operation panel 28. Thereafter, the UI control unit 26 requests the device information management unit 30 to acquire the name of the custom paper type with reference to (4) the custom paper type table 52. The device information management unit 30 (5) looks up the custom paper type table 52, acquires paper type data of the custom paper type, executes a search, and (6) causes the UI control unit 26 to store the paper type of the custom paper type. The paper type name is transmitted as data. Thereafter, (7) the UI control unit 26 transmits a character string of the paper type name to the operation panel 28, and the operation panel 28 displays the name of the paper type as a display button of the (8) paper type setting menu. However, other than the paper type assigned to the tray is not set.

  FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a GUI display 66 for issuing a print command displaying custom paper type settings in accordance with the present invention. In the GUI display 66 shown in FIG. 12, a field indicating that a print job is possible is displayed, and a display that enables the paper size and the like to be performed by default of the emulation / program is displayed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a field for displaying the paper size and paper type set by the user for each paper feed tray is further provided. While referring to the GUI display 66, the user performs operations such as setting the tray and paper, clicking or touching the document print field, transmits a print command and print data to the image processing device 14, and is designated. Execute print processing with settings.

  FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the data structure used for paper type restriction of the present invention. The data structure shown in FIG. 13 is configured as an unsettable table 68 in which paper types that can be set for a specific paper tray are not registered, but paper types that cannot be set are explicitly entered as entry items. As shown in FIG. 13, in the setting impossible table 68, paper types that cannot be set for a predetermined paper tray are registered. In the control method of the present invention, if there is a paper type name that matches the paper type specified in FIG. 13 from the paper type menu item assigned to the paper tray, the paper type name is deleted and provided as a GUI display. To do.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing processing by the control method of the present invention when the paper type setting menu is displayed using the setting impossibility table 68 shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 14 starts from step S200, and accepts a paper type setting selection from the user via the GUI in step S201. In step S202, the paper type ID is searched from the top item of the set entry item of the tray identification value, and in step S203, it is determined whether or not the paper type ID is in the custom paper type range.

  If the paper type ID is a value specifying a custom paper type (yes), the default paper type associated with the custom paper type table 52 is acquired in step S204, and the corresponding default paper type is determined in step S205. Then, it is determined whether or not the entry item of the setting impossible table 68 exists. If it is determined in step S205 that the corresponding default paper type is entered in the tray condition table 54 (no), in step S206, the paper type is not displayed in the paper type setting menu, and the paper for the tray is displayed. The print processing is not possible depending on the seed. Thereafter, the process selects the next paper type ID in step S209, and returns the process to step S203.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the paper type ID is not within the custom paper type range (no), the process branches to step S208, and the default paper type table 50 is referred to correspond to the paper type ID. The paper type name to be displayed is displayed, the process branches to step S209, and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the corresponding default paper type has not been entered in the unsettable table 68 (yes), the paper type name corresponding to the paper type ID in the custom paper type table 52 is determined in step S207. In step S209, the process is repeated until the paper type ID of the entry item becomes the last, and the process is terminated in step S210 when the next paper type ID is exhausted. By implementing the processing shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to prevent erroneous settings by the user without causing the GUI display to display a paper type that cannot be set for a predetermined tray.

  FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the control method in the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the tray condition table 54 shown in FIG. 6 is directly used for display control of the paper type setting menu in order to search and determine whether paper type is available. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, although the usability of the custom setting for the user is limited to some extent, the data structure that must be prepared for the paper type setting menu display can be reduced, and the memory resources can be used efficiently. To do. The processing in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14 from Step S300 to Step S303.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the paper type ID has been entered in the tray condition table 54 (yes), the process branches to step S304, and the name corresponding to the paper type ID in the default paper type table 50 is assigned to the GUI. The display is displayed, and the process branches to step S306. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the paper type ID is not entered in the tray condition table 54 (no), the paper type ID is not passed to the UI display unit, and is not displayed on the paper type setting menu. The process branches to the determination in step S306, and the process is repeated until the determination of the paper type ID is completed.

  Further, in the processing shown in FIG. 15, the same processing is repeated for the custom paper type table 52. In step S307, the paper type ID is obtained from the entry head of the custom paper type table 52. In step S308, the custom paper type table 52 is acquired. The identification value of the default paper type associated with is acquired. In step S309, it is searched whether or not the corresponding default paper type ID has been entered in the tray condition table. If it has been entered (yes), the process branches to step S310, and the custom paper type table 52 stores The name corresponding to the paper type ID is activated and displayed on the paper type setting menu.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding default paper type ID is not entered in the tray condition table 54 in step S309 (no), the paper type setting menu is displayed in an inactive state so that the user cannot set an unusable paper type. . Further, in step S312, it is determined whether there is a paper type ID to be determined next. If all the paper type IDs are not determined (yes), the process is branched to step S308, and the next paper type is determined. If there is no ID (no), the process branches to step S313 and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the GUI display 70 displayed according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the paper types that are not assigned to the tray 1 are not displayed, but the settable paper types are displayed in an active state, the non-settable paper types are displayed in an inactive display, and the user can Incorrect setting is prevented. In the present invention, any GUI display can be used to notify the user of paper types that cannot be used or set for a particular tray.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram when the control method of the present invention is implemented as printer driver software. When the control method of the present invention is implemented as printer driver software, (1) a tray is designated from the communication control unit 36 of the information processing apparatus 12 to the communication control unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 14, and the tray is related. Request to get the specified paper type. In the present invention, data communication between the printer driver software and the image processing apparatus 14 is performed using PJL (Printer) using the MIB (Management Information Base) protocol using the SNMP protocol, which is defined by RFC1156 or RFC1213. Communication in Job Language) can be performed, but is not particularly limited.

  Thereafter, the communication control unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 14 receives this request and (2) designates the tray and instructs the device information management unit 30 to search for paper type options. The device information management unit 30 (3) searches the default paper type table 50, the custom paper type table 52, and the tray condition table 54 for the corresponding tray, and acquires the paper type name and paper type ID. After the paper type name and the paper type ID are acquired, the device information management unit 30 notifies the communication control unit 22 of (4) the default paper type, the name of the custom paper type, and the paper type ID.

  The communication control unit 22 (5) sends the default paper type, the name of the custom paper type, and the paper type ID to the communication control unit 36 of the information processing apparatus 12 via the network. Thereafter, the communication control unit 36 (6) notifies the display control unit 42 of the received data, causes the display control unit 42 to prepare (7) GUI display, and displays the paper type name in the paper type selection window. Is displayed. In the paper type selection window displayed on the information processing apparatus 12 by the display control unit 42, paper types that cannot be used in accordance with the present invention are not displayed or are displayed in an inactive state, preventing erroneous setting by the user. To do.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the GUI display 72 displayed on the display device of the information processing device 12 by the control method of the present invention. The GUI display 72 shown in FIG. 18 can be provided as a print property setting screen of the image processing apparatus 14. As shown in FIG. 18, the GUI display 72 displays GUIs such as pull-down menus and radio buttons for specifying various settings and environments, and the user can perform various settings according to the GUI display.

  The GUI display 72 shown in FIG. 18 is provided with a paper type selection window 72a for setting the paper type. The paper type selection window 72a displayed in association with the setting of the tray 1 includes Paper types that cannot be selected are not displayed. If the user wants to specify a paper type that has not been set, the pull-down menu 72b is selected to display a paper feed tray pull-down menu, whereby a tray that can provide the desired paper type is selected. This can be determined with reference to the display of the window.

  FIG. 19 shows a second embodiment of a tray condition table that can be used in the present invention. The tray condition table 74 shown in FIG. 19 can be stored in the ROM or the like of the image processing apparatus 14, and is used to search for the paper type in response to a request from the printer driver of the information processing apparatus 12.・ The search process for inquiries from driver software can be made more efficient. In the tray condition table 74 shown in FIG. 19, a field for entering a paper type ID and a field for entering a paper thickness correspond to entry items corresponding to the tray identification value. At the same time, it can be used to determine processing according to the paper thickness. In the present invention, the field for entering the function restriction shown in FIG. 4B can be further provided to improve the efficiency of the table to be searched and the searchability.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing processing of a control method using the tray condition table 74 shown in FIG. 19 of the present invention. The processing shown in FIG. 20 starts from step S400, but the processing from step S400 to step S403 is the same processing as the processing of FIG. 7 and FIG. In step S403, it is determined whether the paper type ID is within the custom paper type range. If the paper type ID is a value specifying a custom paper type (yes), the default paper type associated with the custom paper type table 52 is acquired in step S404, and the corresponding default paper type is determined in step S405. Then, it is determined whether or not the entry item is in the tray condition table 74. If it is determined in step S405 that the corresponding default paper type is entered in the tray condition table 74 (no), in step S408, the paper type is not displayed in the paper type setting menu, and the paper for the tray is displayed. The print processing is not possible depending on the seed. Thereafter, the process selects the next paper type ID in step S411, and returns the process to step S403.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the paper type ID is not within the custom paper type range (no), the process branches to step S410, and the default paper type table 50 is referred to correspond to the paper type ID. The paper type name to be displayed is displayed, the process branches to step S411, and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that the corresponding default paper type is not entered in the tray condition table 74 (yes), the paper type name corresponding to the paper type ID in the custom paper type table 52 is set in step S406. In step S407, it is determined whether the corresponding paper thickness is entered in the tray condition table 74. If the entry has been made (yes), the process branches to step S409, and the name corresponding to the paper type ID in the custom paper type table 52 is displayed.

  Thereafter, the process is branched to step S411, and the process is repeated until the paper type ID of the entry item becomes the last. When the next paper type ID is exhausted, the process is terminated in step S412. In the processing shown in FIG. 20, it is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous setting including inspection when the paper thickness other than the paper type is not set in the tray.

  FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the GUI display 76 displayed by the process shown in FIG. 20 of the present invention. The custom 1 (OHP) is not displayed because it is entered in the menu table shown in FIG. 6 but is not assigned in the tray 1, and the custom 4 is not displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. The paper is thick. In this case, the entry is not made in the entry item of the paper type ID set for the tray 1 shown in FIG. For this reason, after all, it is not displayed on the GUI display 76 shown in FIG. 21, and the possibility of erroneous setting by the user is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an image processing apparatus and a control that enable efficient print processing by preventing erroneous setting by the user while arbitrarily setting the paper type for the user. Methods and programs can be provided.

  The above functions of the present invention can be realized by a device executable program described in a legacy programming language such as C language, Visual Basic, Visual C, C ++, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language. It can be stored in a readable recording medium and distributed.

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. It can be changed within the range that can be conceived by a trader, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a print system including an image processing apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The figure which showed the structure of the printer driver software which the information processing apparatus of this invention mounts. The figure which showed embodiment of the paper type data with which the information processing apparatus 12 of this invention is provided. The figure which showed embodiment of the tray condition table which paper type allocation with respect to a paper feed tray which the printer driver software of this invention contains. The figure which showed embodiment of the menu table which entered the menu item shown to a user via GUI. The flowchart which showed the process of the information processing apparatus of this invention. The figure which showed embodiment of the GUI display of the paper type setting menu displayed on the display screen of information processing apparatus by this invention. The figure which showed the GUI display of the paper type setting menu about a manual feed tray. The figure which showed embodiment of the paper type setting value preservation | save table which registers the data set by the user in this invention. The sequence diagram of the control method about the image processing apparatus of this invention. The figure which showed embodiment of the GUI display for performing the print command which displayed the custom paper type setting. The figure which showed 2nd Embodiment of the data structure used for the paper type restriction | limiting of this invention. The figure which showed the process by the control method of this invention using the setting impossibility table shown in FIG. The figure which showed 3rd Embodiment of the control method in this invention. The figure which showed further another embodiment of the GUI display displayed by this invention. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when the control method of the present invention is implemented as printer driver software. The figure which showed embodiment of the GUI display displayed on the display apparatus of information processing apparatus by the control method of this invention. The figure which showed 2nd Embodiment of the tray condition table which can be used by this invention. The figure which showed the process of the control method which uses the tray condition table shown in FIG. 19 of this invention. The figure which showed embodiment of the GUI display displayed by the process shown in FIG. 20 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Print system, 12 ... Information processing apparatus, 14 ... Image processing apparatus, 16 ... Network, 20 ... Internal bus, 22 ... Communication control part, 24 ... Memory | storage device, 26 ... UI control part, 28 ... Operation panel, 30 ... device information management unit, 32 ... image formation control unit, 34 ... print control unit, 36 ... communication control unit, 38 ... display device, 40 ... API, 42 ... display control unit, 44 ... print data creation unit, 50 ... Default paper type table, 52 ... custom paper type table, 54 ... tray condition table, 56 ... menu table, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 76 ... GUI display, 64 ... paper type setting value storage table, 68 ... Unsettable table, 74 ... Tray condition table

Claims (16)

A paper tray,
Allocating means for allocating the paper type fed by the sheet feeding tray by custom setting;
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit configured to delete and display a paper type that is not fed from the paper feed tray from a menu display of a paper type setting, or to display an inactive display.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a GUI unit that receives a print command for the paper type displayed on the menu for the paper feed tray.   The assigning means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a tray condition for designating a paper type of the paper feed tray. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a table.   The display means includes a menu table in which a paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, and searches the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute by the assignment means, and searches for the custom 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a paper type is selected from the menu table and displayed, or is displayed actively. 5.   The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the custom paper type that has not been searched or the custom paper type of the custom paper type attribute is deleted from the menu display or displayed by an inactive display. apparatus.   The image processing according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus includes a communication control unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus via a network, and executes the search in response to an inquiry from the information processing apparatus. apparatus. A paper feed tray, an assigning means for assigning the paper type fed by the paper feed tray by custom setting, and the paper type fed by the paper feed tray are deleted from the menu display of the paper type setting and displayed. Or an information processing apparatus that issues a print command to an image processing apparatus including a communication control unit for displaying by inactive display, wherein the information processing apparatus includes:
Communication control means for querying paper type data designating the paper feed tray via a network, and acquiring the paper type data searched using the assignment by the assignment means from the image processing device;
Display control means for using the received paper type data to delete a paper type that is not fed by the paper feed tray from the paper type setting menu display or to display the paper type by an inactive display. Information processing device.   The assigning means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a tray condition for designating a paper type of the paper feed tray. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a table. A control method for an image processing apparatus including a paper feed tray,
An assignment step for assigning a paper type to be fed by the paper feed tray according to a custom setting; a search step for querying an assignment means for the custom paper type assigned to the paper feed tray or the custom paper type attribute;
Of the entry items of the menu table in which the paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, the searched custom paper type is displayed or activated, and the custom paper type that has not been searched is deleted from the menu display. Or a display control step for displaying in an inactive display.   The assigning means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user are assigned, and a tray condition for designating a paper type of the paper feed tray. The control method according to claim 9, wherein the search step searches for the custom paper type and the custom paper type attribute for the paper feed tray by an inquiry using designation of the paper feed tray.   The display control step includes a menu table in which a paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, and searches for the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute by querying the assigning unit. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of selecting and displaying the custom paper type or the custom paper type of the custom paper type attribute from the menu table.   12. The control method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of accepting the inquiry from an information processing apparatus connected externally via a network for designating the paper feed tray. An apparatus-executable program for executing a control method of an image processing apparatus including a paper feed tray, wherein the program sets a paper type that the paper feed tray feeds to the image processing apparatus according to a custom setting. Functional means for allocating and functional means for querying the allocating means for the custom paper type or the custom paper type attribute assigned to the paper feed tray;
Of the entry items of the menu table in which the paper type menu that can be displayed for the paper feed tray is registered, the searched custom paper type is displayed or activated, and the custom paper type that has not been searched is deleted from the menu display. Or a program that realizes functional means for displaying inactive.   The assigning function means includes a default paper type table to which a default paper type is assigned, a custom paper type table to which a custom paper type and a custom paper type attribute set by a user, and a tray for specifying the paper type of the paper feed tray. And a function table for searching includes searching for the custom paper type and the custom paper type attribute for the paper feed tray by an inquiry using the designation of the paper feed tray, and corresponding to the search result. 14. The program according to claim 13, wherein selection of a paper type that cannot be fed from the menu display is prohibited. A paper feed tray, assignment means for assigning the paper type fed by the paper feed tray by custom setting, and the paper type fed by the paper feed tray is deleted from the menu display of the paper type setting and displayed. Or an apparatus executable program for issuing a print command to an image processing apparatus including a communication control means for displaying by inactive display, wherein the program is
Querying the paper type data designating the tray via the network, and obtaining the paper type data retrieved using the allocation by the allocation unit from the image processing device;
A function unit that deletes the paper type that is not fed by the paper feed tray using the received paper type data from the menu display of the paper type setting or displays it by an inactive display;
A program for realizing in an information processing device functional means for issuing the print command in accordance with the menu display displayed in the function stage to be displayed.   The program according to claim 15, wherein the program is printer driver software.

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