JP2008234000A - Setting reception method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a setting reception method and a computer program for easily achieving the confirmation of a setting state based on each setting item and the change of setting when a dialog box for receiving the print setting of a printer is provided with a plurality of pages, and each page is provided with a plurality of setting items. <P>SOLUTION: A print setting dialog box 100 having a plurality of tab pages is provided with a common display region 50 for performing common display in each tab page. The setting states of setting items selected according to the setting update frequency of a user from a plurality of setting items settable by the print setting dialog box 100 are displayed as a list at a list display part 51 of a common display area 50. Each setting state displayed at the list display part 51 is made selectable by the user, and when a fixed setting state is selected, a tab page equipped with the setting times relating to the selected setting state is automatically switched and displayed. The setting items displaying the setting state may be configured so as to be selected by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting receiving method for receiving settings related to a printing apparatus such as a printer or a digital multifunction peripheral, and a computer program such as a printer driver.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that print a document with text or images created on a PC (personal computer) or the like on printing paper have been widely used. In recent years, in addition to a printing function, a printing apparatus having a large number of functions such as a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a copying function, a so-called digital multi-function machine has also become widespread. These printing apparatuses are connected to the PC via a network such as a LAN or a dedicated cable for the printing apparatus. Data relating to a document created by a word processor operating on a PC or an application program such as a spreadsheet is given to a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus prints the document on printing paper. At this time, data exchange between the application program on the PC and the printing apparatus is performed via a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus, a so-called printer driver. The printer driver is given data relating to the document from the application program. The printer driver given the data relating to the document converts this data into a data format for printing by the printing apparatus and gives the data to the printing apparatus.

  When printing is performed by a printing apparatus, it is possible to print a wide variety of originals by setting printing conditions such as the size of the printing paper, the orientation of the printing paper, aggregate printing, or duplex printing. The printer driver accepts the setting of the printing condition by the user, gives data corresponding to the setting to the printing apparatus, and controls the printing apparatus according to the setting. When the user performs these settings from the PC, a setting dialog box can be displayed on the PC screen, and the setting items provided in the dialog box can be selected and operated.

  In Patent Document 1, when item information displayed in a list area provided in a dialog box is selected, an information processing apparatus that displays a tab page provided with a control for setting the item on the front Has been proposed. This information processing apparatus has an advantage that the user can set information without performing unnecessary operations.

In Patent Document 2, a printer driver program that displays a three-dimensional image of the whole or a part of a printing apparatus when displaying a print setting screen is proposed. This printer driver program collects print setting information in each part of the printing apparatus that has already been set together with the three-dimensional image, and displays an animated moving image representing the collected print information. Accordingly, there is an advantage that the user can easily visually check the print setting items of the printing apparatus.
JP 2001-344051 A JP 2004-230836 A

  In recent printing apparatuses, as the number of functions increases, the number of setting items that can be set by a printer driver is also increasing. Due to the increase in setting items, a dialog box for setting displayed by the printer driver is provided with a plurality of pages whose display can be switched, so-called tab pages. On each tab page, a large number of setting items are often grouped and distributed for each function. When changing the setting, the user needs to switch the tab page of the dialog box to display a desired setting item, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated. If a dialog box is provided with a large number of tab pages, it is necessary to switch a large number of tab pages to find a desired setting item. For this reason, it has become difficult to find a desired setting item as the printing apparatus becomes multifunctional, and there has been a problem in that the operability and convenience of the printer driver are reduced. As a result, the user may not be able to fully use the functions of the printing apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 aims to solve this problem. For example, when item information displayed in the list area is selected, a tab page related to this item is automatically displayed in the foreground. However, all items that can be set by the printer driver cannot be displayed in the list area, and the number of item information that can be displayed in the list area is limited. Therefore, when the item information required by the user is not displayed, the user must switch the tab page to find the setting item.

  The printer driver program described in Patent Document 2 can visually show the setting information of each part of the printing apparatus to the user. However, the setting change is not facilitated, and the above-described problem cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to automatically switch and display a tab page provided with setting items that are frequently used by a user and accept settings. An object of the present invention is to provide a setting reception method and a computer program. For this reason, the reception frequency for the setting item is calculated, the setting state of the setting item selected according to the reception frequency is displayed in the common display area, and the selection to the displayed setting state is received, and the received setting state is obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a setting reception method and a computer program configured to display a page provided with such setting items.

  Another object of the present invention is that the user can select and customize the items to be displayed in the common display area, and automatically switch and display the tab page provided with the setting items desired by the user. Then, it is providing the setting reception method and computer program which can receive a setting. For this reason, selection of one or a plurality of setting items from a plurality of setting items is received and displayed in the common display area, and selections for the displayed setting state are received and setting items relating to the received setting state are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a setting reception method and a computer program configured to display a specified page.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program capable of selecting items to be displayed by a simple operation. Therefore, there is provided a setting reception method and a computer program having a configuration in which a user can select an item to be displayed in a common display area by dragging and dropping a selection item provided on each page of the dialog box to the common display area. With the goal.

  Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily perform an operation on a desired setting item even when a large number of setting items are provided in a page that is automatically switched and displayed. The object is to provide a computer program capable of For this reason, when a selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area is accepted, a setting page for setting items related to the selected setting state is displayed and this selection item is highlighted. An object is to provide a reception method and a computer program.

  A setting reception method according to a first invention displays a dialog box having a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items according to the printing apparatus and a switching unit for switching display of the plurality of pages, and the dialog box In the setting reception method for receiving the setting for the setting item, the dialog box having a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages is displayed, and the setting reception frequency for the setting item is calculated, One or more setting items are selected from a plurality of setting items provided on a plurality of pages according to the reception frequency, and the setting state of the selected setting item is displayed in the common display region and displayed in the common display region Display a page with setting items related to the setting state for which the selection has been accepted. And features.

  Further, the setting reception method according to the second invention displays a dialog box having a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items related to the printing apparatus and a switching unit for switching display of the plurality of pages, In a setting reception method for receiving settings for setting items of a dialog box, the dialog box having a common display area provided in common to the plurality of pages is displayed, and the plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages are displayed. Accepts selection of one or a plurality of setting items, displays the setting state of the setting item related to the accepted selection in the common display area, accepts selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area, and accepts selection A page provided with setting items related to the setting state is displayed.

  The computer program according to the third invention causes a computer to display a dialog box having a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items related to the printing apparatus and a switching unit for switching display of the plurality of pages. In the computer program for accepting the setting for the setting item of the dialog box and causing the printing apparatus to perform printing according to the accepted setting, the computer has a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages. Displaying the dialog box, causing the setting reception frequency of the setting item to be calculated, and selecting one or a plurality of setting items from the plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages according to the reception frequency; Display the setting status of the selected setting item in the common display area, To accept the selection of the setting status displayed on the passing display region, characterized in that to display the page setting item is provided in accordance with the setting state of accepting the selection.

  The computer program according to the fourth invention causes a computer to display a dialog box having a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items related to the printing apparatus and a switching unit for switching display of the plurality of pages. In the computer program for accepting the setting for the setting item of the dialog box and causing the printing apparatus to perform printing according to the accepted setting, the computer has a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages. Displays the dialog box, accepts selection of one or a plurality of setting items from a plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages, and displays the setting state of the setting item relating to the accepted selection in the common display area And accept the selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area. It is allowed, characterized in that to display the page setting item according to the setting state of accepting the selection provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to accept a drag operation of a selection item provided on the page and to accept a drop operation of the selection item to the common display area. According to the operation, selection of a selection item for displaying a setting state in the common display area is received.

  A computer program according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that a page provided with setting items relating to a setting state for which selection has been accepted is displayed and the setting items are highlighted.

  In the present invention, a plurality of pages such as tab pages and tabs and switching means are provided, and a dialog box having a common display area for displaying a setting item setting state in common for the plurality of pages is displayed and printed. Accept settings related to the device. In addition, the setting item for displaying the setting state in the common display area is selected according to the reception frequency by calculating the setting reception frequency from the user for each of the plurality of setting items provided in the dialog box. As a result, it is possible to preferentially display setting items that are likely to be changed by the user displaying a dialog box in the common display area. In addition, the setting state displayed in the common display area can be selected by the user, and when this selection is accepted, the page provided with the setting item related to the selected setting state is automatically switched and displayed. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically switch and display setting items that are frequently used from a large number of setting items provided in the dialog box, and allow the user to make settings.

  Also, in the present invention, a setting for the printing apparatus is provided by displaying a dialog box having a plurality of pages and switching means, and having a common display area for displaying the setting item setting state in common for the plurality of pages. Accept. Further, selection of one or a plurality of setting items from a plurality of selection items included in the dialog box is received from the user, and the setting state of the selected setting item is displayed in the common display area. Accordingly, the display of the dialog box can be customized so that the user can determine the setting state of the frequently used selection item or the favorite selection item in the common display area. In addition, the setting state displayed in the common display area can be selected by the user, and when this selection is accepted, the page provided with the setting item related to the selected setting state is automatically switched and displayed. To do. Thereby, the page provided with the setting item selected by the user can be automatically switched and displayed for setting.

  Further, in the present invention, when the user selects a setting item for displaying the setting state in the common display area, the selection item provided on each page is dragged by operating a mouse or the like, and dropped to the common display area. The selection can be made by a series of operations. A selection item for displaying the setting state in the common display area can be added by a simple operation of only a drag and drop operation. Similarly, it is also possible to delete the selection item for displaying the setting state from the common display area by dragging the setting state displayed in the common display area and dropping it outside the common display area. .

  Also, in the present invention, when the setting state displayed in the common display area is selected by the user, the page is automatically switched to a page provided with setting items relating to the selected setting state. At this time, the selected setting item is highlighted by a method such as blinking, displaying in a different color, or displaying in bold. There may be many other setting items on the switched page. Even in this case, the user can select a desired setting item by highlighting the desired setting item. It is possible to easily find and set the setting items.

  In the case of the first invention and the third invention, the setting state of one or a plurality of setting items of the printing apparatus is selected according to the setting reception frequency in the common display area provided in common for a plurality of pages of the dialog box. And display. In addition, selection of the setting state displayed in the common display area is received, and the page provided with the setting item related to the selected setting state is switched and displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the user surely recognize the setting state of the setting item that is frequently used among the many setting items provided in the dialog box. In addition, the user can easily change the setting items. Therefore, the operability and convenience of a computer program such as a printer driver can be improved.

  According to the second and fourth inventions, the setting state of the setting item according to the user's selection is displayed in a common display area provided in common for a plurality of pages of the dialog box. In addition, selection of the setting state displayed in the common display area is received, and the page provided with the setting item related to the selected setting state is switched and displayed. As a result, the user can easily check the setting state of the desired setting item by customizing the dialog box. In addition, the user can easily change the setting items. Therefore, the expandability and convenience of the printing apparatus and computer program can be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, selection items provided on each page of the dialog box are dragged, and items to be displayed in the common display area are selected by a series of operations of dropping to the common display area. Therefore, since the selection item can be selected by a simple operation of only the drag and drop operation, the operability when selecting the selection item can be improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when a selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area is received, a page provided with setting items relating to the selected setting state is displayed. Furthermore, by highlighting this selection item, the user can easily find a desired setting item from a large number of setting items even when a large number of setting items are provided in the displayed page. Can be set. Therefore, the operability and convenience when setting the selection items can be further improved.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system to which a setting reception method according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a printing apparatus such as a printer or a digital multifunction peripheral. The printing apparatus 10 may be provided with a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to the printing function, but FIG. 1 does not show hardware for realizing other functions. The hardware relating to the printing function is illustrated. In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes a PC. In the printing system according to the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 and the PC 30 are connected by a communication cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. The printing data is given to the printing apparatus 10 from the printer 10 and the printing apparatus 10 prints this data.

  The PC 30 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, a hard disk 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, an auxiliary storage device 36 and a communication unit 37, and a CPU (Central Processing) that controls operations of these units and performs various calculations. Unit) 31. The RAM 32 stores temporary data generated in accordance with processing such as calculation and control of the CPU 31, and is constituted by a memory element such as DRAM or SRAM. The hard disk 33 is a magnetic storage device having a capacity of several hundred GB or more, and controls an OS (Operation System) 33 a for operating the PC 30, an application 33 b such as a word processor or a spreadsheet, and the printing apparatus 10. A printer driver 33c and the like are installed and stored. The hard disk 33 stores a management table 33d (details will be described later) used by the printer driver 33c. The auxiliary storage device 36 is a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a memory slot, or the like, and can be used when data or a program stored in an external storage medium is installed in the hard disk 33. The CPU 31 reads out various programs stored in the hard disk 33 to the RAM 32 and executes them to perform various calculations and control each unit.

  The operation unit 34 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 34 receives a user operation and notifies the CPU 31 of the operation content. Thereby, CPU31 can perform the process according to a user's operation. The display unit 35 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, and can display various images to the user. The communication unit 37 has a connection port for connecting a communication cable such as a USB cable, a parallel cable, or a LAN cable, and transmits and receives data to and from the printing apparatus 10 via the communication cable. .

  The printing apparatus 10 also includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a printing unit 13, a communication unit 14, a RAM 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, and the like, and controls for controlling the operations of these units and various calculations. Part 11. The ROM 12 is composed of a non-volatile memory element such as a mask ROM or EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and stores in advance a control program and various data necessary for the operation of the control unit 11. . The RAM 15 is configured by a memory element such as a DRAM or an SRAM, and temporarily stores image data for printing given from the PC 30 and data generated by processing such as calculation and control of the control unit 11. Is what you do. The control unit 11 is configured by a CPU or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or the like, and performs control processing and various arithmetic processing by reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 12.

  The printing unit 13 includes a light source such as a semiconductor laser or an LED, a photoconductor for attaching toner, a fixing unit for transferring and fixing the toner to a printing medium with heat or pressure, and the like according to image data provided from the PC 30. Thus, the image is printed on the printing paper. The communication unit 14 has a connection port for connecting a communication cable such as a USB cable, a parallel cable, or a LAN cable, and transmits and receives data to and from the PC 30 via the connected communication cable.

  The operation unit 16 has a plurality of buttons such as a power button, a paper discharge button, and a setting button, and receives an operation from the user and notifies the control unit 11 of the operation content. The display unit 17 is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays an operation state of the printing apparatus 10, a message for prompting an operation input to the user, a warning message for the user, or the like on the liquid crystal panel. In addition, the structure using the touch panel which integrated the operation part 16 and the display part 17 may be sufficient.

  The user creates a document on the PC 30 using an application 33b such as a word processor or a spreadsheet. After completing the creation, the user activates the printer driver 33c from the application 33b, or gives the created document directly to the printer driver 33c. As a result, the user can print an original on the printing apparatus 10. At this time, various settings related to printing by the printing apparatus 10, for example, setting of the size of paper to be printed such as A4, A3, or B5, setting of whether to perform double-sided printing, or setting of whether to perform collective printing Etc. can be performed by the user displaying a print setting dialog box on the printer driver 33c.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a print setting dialog displayed by the printer driver 33c according to the present invention. The user creates a document using the application 33b of the PC 30 and prints the created document. In this case, when the user operates the mouse or keyboard of the operation unit 34 of the PC 30 to give an instruction to the OS 33a or the application 33b, the printer driver 33c is activated and the illustrated print setting dialog box 100 is displayed on the PC 30. Various settings relating to printing can be performed by displaying them on the unit 35.

  In the print setting dialog box 100, settings relating to printing paper on which an original is printed, settings relating to layout such as aggregate printing or double-sided printing, settings relating to print quality such as print resolution or print density, and sorting or stapling, etc. Settings related to the output method can be made. A plurality of tab pages in which setting items for performing these settings are collected are provided in the print setting dialog box 100. The user displays a desired tab page by selecting one of the “paper” tab 101, “layout” tab 102, “print quality” tab 103, and “output” tab 104 using the mouse of the operation unit 34. can do. FIG. 2 shows the print setting dialog box 100 in a state where the “paper” tab 101 is selected and the paper tab page is displayed.

  Further, an OK button 105, a cancel button 106, and an apply button 107 are arranged side by side at the bottom of the print setting dialog box 100. When the OK button 105 is operated, the printer driver 33c stores and reflects the setting contents set in the print setting dialog box 100, and closes the print setting dialog box 100 (turns off the display). When the cancel button 106 is operated, the print setting dialog box 100 is closed without reflecting the setting contents. When the apply button 107 is operated, the settings are stored and reflected without closing the print setting dialog box 100.

  On the paper tab page of the print setting dialog box 100, settings for the number of copies to be printed, settings relating to the document size, settings for enlargement / reduction, settings for selecting the paper cassette, settings for the type of printing paper, and the like are performed. be able to. Setting items for performing these settings are grouped and grouped by group boxes 110 to 150, and are displayed side by side on the right side of the paper tab page. A setting state display area 50 for displaying the current setting state of the print setting is provided on the left side of the paper tab page.

  Setting items relating to the setting of the number of copies to be printed are grouped in a group box 110, and a numerical value input box 111 is provided. A numerical value of 1 to 999 can be input in the numerical value input box 111, and the number of copies can be designated by this.

  Settings relating to the document size are grouped in a group box 120, and are configured by a combo box 121, a push button 122, and a radio button 123. In the combo box 121, the size of one original can be selected from a list of paper sizes such as A4, A3, or B5. The push button 122 is a separate dialog box having a character string “irregular setting ...” as a label and having a setting item for setting the document size to an arbitrary size when operated by the user. Is displayed. The radio button 123 is for setting the direction of printing, and either vertical or horizontal can be selected.

  Enlargement / reduction settings are grouped in a group box 130, and are configured by radio buttons 131, combo boxes 132, check boxes 133, and numerical value input boxes 134. The radio button 131 is composed of three buttons, and it is possible to select whether to perform enlargement / reduction and a method for specifying enlargement / reduction. Specifically, any one of “not specified”, “specify output paper size”, or “specify magnification” can be selected. If “not specified” is selected, enlargement / reduction is possible. The setting is not performed. In addition, when “specify output paper size” is selected, the size of the printing paper can be further specified by the combo box 132, and the check box 133 is checked to match the size of the printing paper specified. Enlargement / reduction can be performed. In addition, when “specify magnification” is selected, an enlargement / reduction ratio of 25% to 400% can be directly specified by a numerical value by the numerical value input box 134.

  Settings relating to the selection of the paper feed cassette of the printing apparatus 10 are grouped in a group box 140, and a combo box 141 is provided. In the combo box 141, either automatic selection or a plurality of paper feed cassettes included in the printing apparatus 10 can be selected. For example, when automatic selection is designated, a paper feed cassette that stores printing paper of the original size specified by the above-described original size setting is automatically selected. When an individual paper feed cassette is designated, the original is printed on the printing paper stored in the designated paper feed cassette regardless of the original size setting. Further, settings relating to the type of paper are grouped in a group box 150, and a combo box 151 is provided. In the combo box 151, any of plain paper, special paper, recycled paper, and the like can be selected.

  The setting state display area 50 is provided on the left side of the paper tab page as a rectangular area that is vertically long. In the upper part of the setting state display area 50, a list display unit 51 for displaying a list of the current setting states of items set in the print setting dialog box 100 is provided. In addition, the printer driver 33c can perform aggregate printing or duplex printing that can be set on the layout tab page (see FIG. 3) displayed by selecting the “layout” tab 102 in the center of the setting state display area 50. Setting contents such as printing are schematically displayed as an icon 52. In the example of FIG. 2, the icon 52 illustrates a state in which consolidated printing for consolidating two pages of a document on one print sheet and duplex printing are set as settings related to the layout. Further, an icon 53 representing the printing apparatus 10 is displayed below the setting state display area 50. The icon 53 is an image schematically depicting a side view of the printing apparatus 10. In the portion corresponding to the paper feed cassette of the printing apparatus 10 drawn on the icon 53, the size of the printing paper accommodated therein is displayed.

  The setting state display area 50 has not only the paper tab page but also the layout tab page, the print quality tab page, and the output tab page having the same contents. Even when any tab page is displayed, the user can check the setting state. In the illustrated example, the list display section 51 of the setting state display area 50 displays seven states of document size, enlargement / reduction, consolidated printing, duplex printing, printing resolution, sorting and shifting. However, in the printer driver 33c according to the present invention, the setting states displayed in the setting state display area 50 are not fixed to the seven shown in the figure, and the printer driver 33c uses the setting items of the user (setting change frequency), etc. The display is updated according to (details will be described later).

  Each setting state displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 can be selected from any one of the setting states by the user operating the mouse of the operation unit 34 of the PC 30. When one of the setting states is selected, the printer driver 33c automatically switches tab pages provided with setting items that can change the selected setting state and displays them in the print setting dialog box 100. 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams for explaining the tab page automatic switching function performed by the printer driver 33c according to the present invention.

  For example, FIG. 3 shows a case where the user selects the setting state related to the aggregate printing displayed on the list display unit 51 in the setting state display area 50 in the state of FIG. In the printer driver 33c of the present embodiment, settings related to aggregate printing can be performed on the layout tab page of the print setting dialog box 100. Therefore, when the setting state related to the aggregate printing of the list display unit 51 is selected, the printer driver 33c automatically switches the tab page and displays the layout tab page.

  On the layout tab page of the print setting dialog box 100, settings relating to aggregate printing, settings relating to a stamp to be printed together on a document, settings relating to duplex / booklet printing, and the like can be performed. Setting items for performing these settings are grouped and grouped by group boxes 160 to 180, and are displayed side by side on the right side of the layout tab page. In each group box 160-180, various setting means such as a combo box, a push button, and a check button are provided. Further, on the left side of the layout tab page, the same setting state display area 50 as that of the paper tab page is provided.

  When a tab page is switched by selecting one setting state of the setting state display area 50 (in FIG. 3, the selected setting state is hatched), the printer driver 33c is switched. The setting item relating to the setting state in the tab page is highlighted. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the layout tab page is displayed by selecting the consolidated print setting state in the setting state display area 50. At this time, the group box 160 for grouping the settings of the aggregate print in the layout tab page, that is, the rectangular frame surrounding the push button and the check button with a thicker line than the others, is used for the settings related to the aggregate print. The display is highlighted. However, the highlighting method is not limited to the method of changing the thickness of the rectangular frame, but may be performed by other methods such as blinking the rectangular frame or changing the color of the rectangular frame. You may carry out by the method of changing the thickness of a character instead of a frame. Furthermore, the input focus may be automatically set to a selection item that can change the selected setting state.

  For example, FIG. 4 shows a case where the user selects the setting state related to the resolution displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 in the state of FIG. In the printer driver 33c of the present embodiment, the setting relating to the resolution can be performed on the print quality tab page of the print setting dialog box 10. Therefore, when the setting state related to the resolution of the list display unit 51 is selected, the printer driver 33c automatically switches the tab page and displays the print quality tab page.

  In the print quality tab page of the print setting dialog box 100, settings for whether or not to save toner, settings for printing resolution, settings for printing density, and the like can be performed. Setting items for performing these settings are grouped together in group boxes 190 to 210 and displayed side by side on the right side of the print quality tab page. In each group box 190 to 210, various setting means such as a radio button, a combo box and a track bar are provided. On the left side of the print quality tab page, the same setting state display area 50 as that of the paper tab page and layout tab page is provided.

  When the setting state relating to the resolution displayed in the list display section 51 of the setting state display area 50 is selected, the tab page is automatically switched and the print quality tab page is displayed in the print setting dialog box 100. The driver 33c performs highlighting by displaying the rectangular frame of the group box 200 that groups the settings relating to the resolution with a thick line.

  For example, FIG. 5 shows a case where the user selects the setting state related to the shift output displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 in the state of FIG. In the printer driver 33c of the present embodiment, settings relating to shift output can be performed on the output tab page of the print setting dialog box 100. Therefore, when the setting state related to the shift output of the list display unit 51 is selected, the printer driver 33c automatically switches the tab page and displays the output tab page.

  On the output tab page of the print setting dialog box 100, settings for whether or not to perform sort output, settings for whether or not to perform shift output, settings for selecting an output tray, settings for stapling an output document, and Settings relating to punching of the output document can be made. Setting items for performing these settings are grouped and grouped by group boxes 220 to 260, and are displayed side by side on the right side of the output tab page. Each group box 220-260 is provided with various setting means such as a radio button, a combo box, and a push button. On the left side of the output tab page, the same setting state display area 50 as that of the paper tab page, layout tab page, and print quality tab page is provided.

  When the setting state related to shift output displayed in the list display portion 51 of the setting state display area 50 is selected, the tab page is automatically switched and the output tab page is displayed in the print setting dialog box 100. The driver 33c performs highlighting by displaying the rectangular frame of the group box 230 for grouping the settings relating to the shift output with a thick line.

  Next, display update processing of the list display unit 51 in the setting state display area 50 performed by the printer driver 33c will be described. The printer driver 33c records the number of times the user has received a setting change for each setting item in the print setting dialog box 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the management table 33d created by the printer driver 33c according to the first embodiment of the present invention for the display update process of the list display unit 51. The management table 33d is created and updated by the printer driver 33c and stored in the hard disk 33 of the PC 30.

  The management table 33d is a table in which “setting item” is associated with “setting reception count” in which a user's setting change for this item is received. In the management table 33d, the number of setting receptions is counted for all the setting items provided on all the tab pages of the print setting dialog box 100. 6 shows a simple configuration in which the management table 33d only stores the number of times of setting reception for the setting item. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of storing the date and time when the setting change is received is stored as a history. It may be.

  When the user is instructed to display the print setting dialog box 100 on the display unit 35 of the PC 30, the printer driver 33 c checks the management table 33 d and selects seven setting items having a high number of setting receptions from the top. Next, the setting states of the seven setting items are displayed in a list on the list display unit 51 in the print state display area 50. At this time, the configuration may be such that the seven setting items are displayed in order from the largest number of setting receptions, or may be configured to be displayed in another order such as a predetermined order or a Japanese syllabary order.

  In addition, when the OK button 105 or the apply button 107 in the print setting dialog box 100 is operated by the user, the printer driver 33c checks the setting item whose setting has been changed and updates the management table 33d. When the apply button 107 is operated, the display of the print setting dialog box 100 is not turned off. Therefore, the list display section 51 of the setting state display area 50 is based on the updated number of settings received in the management table 33d. Update the display of.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display update process of the list display unit performed by the printer driver 33c according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printer driver 33c checks whether or not the OK button 105 or the apply button 107 in the print setting dialog box 100 has been operated (step S1), and if both are not operated (S1: NO), until the operation is performed. stand by. When the OK button 105 or the apply button 107 is operated (S1: YES), it is checked whether or not the setting has been changed in the setting item provided on each tab page of the print setting dialog box 100 (step S2). .

  When the setting is changed (S2: YES), the setting reception count of the management table 33d corresponding to the changed setting item is incremented and updated (step S3). Next, the number of setting receptions is compared with respect to all setting items in the management table 33d, and the upper seven setting items with the highest number of setting receptions are examined to determine whether or not the upper seven have changed (step S4). When fluctuations occur in the top seven (S4: YES), it is further checked whether or not the apply button 107 has been operated in step S1 (step S5). If the apply button 107 has been operated (S5: YES), the display of the setting status display area of the print setting dialog box 100 is updated (step S6), and the process is terminated. If the apply button 107 has not been operated (S5: NO), that is, if the OK button 105 has been operated, the display of the print setting dialog box 100 is turned off (step S8), and the process ends.

  If the setting has not been changed in step S2 (S2: NO), or if no change has occurred in the top seven in step S4 (S4: NO), the apply button 107 is pressed in step S1. It is checked whether or not it has been operated (step S7). If the apply button 107 has been operated (S7: YES), the process ends. If the apply button 107 has not been operated (S7: NO), that is, if the OK button 105 has been operated, the display of the print setting dialog box 100 is turned off (step S8), and the process ends.

  In the printing system and printer driver 33c having the above-described configuration, the setting state display area 50 common to all the tab pages is provided in the print setting dialog box 100 so that the setting state of the printing apparatus 10 is displayed. However, it is possible to easily check the setting state. In addition, by setting the setting state displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 in accordance with the frequency of accepting the setting by the user, the user can change the setting state of the setting items that are likely to be used. Can be confirmed. Also, the setting state displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 can be selected by the user, and the corresponding tab page is automatically displayed when the setting state is selected. Thus, even if a large number of setting items are provided, the user can easily change desired settings. At this time, by highlighting the setting item related to the selected setting state, the user can recognize the setting item more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the tab page is automatically switched when the setting state displayed in the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 is selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The tab page may be automatically switched even when the icon 52 or 53 in the setting state display area 50 is selected. Further, although the setting state is displayed in characters on the list display unit 51, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which icons are displayed. In addition, the seven display states are displayed on the list display unit 51. However, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, six or less or eight or more setting states may be displayed. Also, the arrangement and design of the setting items in the print setting dialog box 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 are examples, and are not limited thereto.

(Embodiment 2)
The printer driver 33c according to the first embodiment is configured to change the setting state displayed on the list display unit 51 provided in the setting state display area 50 of the print setting dialog box 100 according to the setting reception frequency. The printer driver 33c according to the second embodiment is configured such that the user can freely select setting items related to the setting state displayed on the list display unit 51.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a setting item selection method for the printer driver 33c according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Further, for example, the user selects a setting item related to the paper type provided on the paper tab page of the print setting dialog box 100a, and the paper type is displayed in the setting state displayed on the list display unit 51 in the setting state display area 50. This is a case of adding a setting state. At this time, the user performs a drag operation by placing a mouse cursor or the like in a rectangular frame of the group box 150 that groups the setting items of the paper type. Next, the dragged paper type setting item is dropped in the setting state display area 50. Accordingly, the printer driver 33c adds and displays the setting state related to the setting item that has been dragged and dropped on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50.

  If the user performs an operation for adding setting items beyond the number of setting states that can be displayed in the list display section 51 of the setting state display area 50, the printer driver 33c displays an error message or displays a list. One of the setting states displayed on the display unit 51 is selected and deleted, and the setting state relating to the setting item for which the user has performed an additional operation is displayed. Although illustration is omitted, when the user selects and deletes one of the setting states displayed on the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 (display is turned off), the desired information on the list display unit 51 is displayed. This setting state can be performed by moving the setting state outside the setting state display area 50 by a drag and drop operation.

  In the printer driver 33c according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the user can select a setting item for displaying the setting state on the list display unit 51 in the setting state display area 50, so that the user can select a print setting dialog. 100 can be customized freely, and usability can be improved. Further, by adopting a configuration in which setting items can be added and deleted by a drag and drop operation, the user can add and delete setting items by a simple operation, and the operability of the printer driver 33c can be improved. Can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the setting item is added to and deleted from the list display unit 51 of the setting state display area 50 by a drag and drop operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other operations can be used. It is good also as a structure which adds and deletes.

  The configuration of the printing system and printer driver 33c according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing system and printer driver 33c according to the first embodiment. Is omitted.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a setting reception method according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print setting dialog displayed by a printer driver according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a tab page automatic switching function performed by the printer driver according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a tab page automatic switching function performed by the printer driver according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a tab page automatic switching function performed by the printer driver according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one structural example of the management table which the printer driver concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention produces for the display update process of a list display part. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display update processing of a list display unit performed by the printer driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a setting item selection method for a printer driver according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printing device 30 PC
31 CPU
33 Hard disk 33c Printer driver 33d Management table 34 Operation unit 35 Display unit 50 Setting status display area (common display area)
51 List display section 52, 53 Icon 100, 100a Print setting dialog box 101 “Paper” tab (switching means)
102 "Layout" tab (switching means)
103 "Print quality" tab (switching means)
104 "Output" tab (switching means)

Claims (6)

A setting reception method for displaying a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items according to the printing apparatus and a dialog box having switching means for switching display of the plurality of pages, and receiving settings for the setting items of the dialog box In
Displaying the dialog box having a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages;
Calculate the reception frequency of the settings related to the setting items,
Select one or more setting items from the plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages according to the reception frequency,
The setting status of the selected setting item is displayed in the common display area,
Accepts selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area;
A setting receiving method, characterized by displaying a page provided with setting items relating to a setting state for which selection has been received. A setting reception method for displaying a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items according to the printing apparatus and a dialog box having switching means for switching display of the plurality of pages, and receiving settings for the setting items of the dialog box In
Displaying the dialog box having a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages;
Accepting selection of one or more setting items from a plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages;
Display the setting state of the setting item related to the accepted selection in the common display area;
Accepts selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area;
A setting receiving method, characterized by displaying a page provided with setting items relating to a setting state for which selection has been received. On the computer,
Display a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items related to the printing apparatus and a dialog box having a switching unit for switching the display of the plurality of pages, and accept and accept settings for the setting items of the dialog box In a computer program for causing the printing apparatus to perform printing in accordance with the setting,
On the computer,
Displaying the dialog box having a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages;
Calculate the reception frequency of the setting related to the setting item,
Selecting one or a plurality of setting items from the plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages according to the reception frequency;
The setting status of the selected setting item is displayed in the common display area,
Allow selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area;
A computer program for displaying a page provided with setting items relating to a setting state for which selection has been accepted. On the computer,
Display a plurality of pages each provided with one or a plurality of setting items related to the printing apparatus and a dialog box having a switching unit for switching the display of the plurality of pages, and accept and accept settings for the setting items of the dialog box In a computer program for causing the printing apparatus to perform printing in accordance with the setting,
On the computer,
Displaying the dialog box having a common display area provided in common for the plurality of pages;
Accepting selection of one or a plurality of setting items from a plurality of setting items provided on the plurality of pages;
Display the setting state of the setting item related to the accepted selection in the common display area;
Allow selection to the setting state displayed in the common display area;
A computer program for displaying a page provided with setting items relating to a setting state for which selection has been accepted. On the computer,
Accept drag operation of selection item provided on the page,
Accepting a drop operation of the selection item to the common display area;
The computer program according to claim 4, wherein selection of a selection item for displaying a setting state in the common display area is received by the drag operation and the drop operation. The computer program according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a page on which a setting item related to a setting state for which selection has been received is displayed and the setting item is highlighted.

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