JP2009187460A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor for displaying a configuration dialog box provided with various configuration items for performing a configuration operation, capable of letting a user recognize it when an existing configuration is changed in conjunction with selection of a new configuration value, before the new configuration value is selected by the user. <P>SOLUTION: A PC 10 displays: a configuration dialog box provided with various configuration items for performing a configuration operation; and an indication means for indicating configuration values for the configuration items. The PC 10 includes: a storage means for storing current configuration values for various configuration items; a changed configuration value detection means for detecting that a configuration value different from the current configuration value is indicated by the indication means, and detecting the current configuration value to be changed in conjunction with selection of the different configuration value; and a display control means for displaying by animation a display part of the configuration dialog box relevant to the current configuration value detected by the changed configuration value detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that displays a setting dialog box for setting peripheral devices and the like.

  In general, when a user operates a peripheral device connected to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) using the PC, software called a driver incorporated in the PC is used. Processing conditions in the device can be set. For example, when printing processing of image data created on a PC is performed by a printer connected to the PC, the user can use a printer driver that is a type of driver to perform various types of printing, such as the number of copies, paper size, printing form, and binding position. A setting value can be input (set) to the setting item and processing conditions (printing conditions) can be set.

  As a specific operation when inputting various setting items on the printer driver, first, for example, the user activates the printer driver and displays a “property” dialog box on the display unit of the PC. Thus, for example, when Microsoft Windows XP (registered trademark) is used as the operating system of the PC, a printer setting dialog box is displayed on the display unit as a dialog box. A user inputs desired setting values for various setting items on the dialog box using an input device such as a pointing device.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a setting item on the printer setting dialog box of the printer driver is changed from a default value by a user, a red circle mark is added to the display area of the changed setting item. ing. Thereby, the change status of various setting items can be easily confirmed.
JP 2003-167714 A

  Conventionally, in a setting dialog box, it is impossible to combine a setting value selected by a user for a certain setting item with, for example, a setting value already selected by the user for another setting item. In some cases, the setting values already set for the other setting items are automatically changed to other setting values that can be combined. The same applies to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, since the setting value is arbitrarily changed, unless the user inputs the setting value again, unintended processing conditions may be set, which is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and displays a setting dialog box in which various setting items are provided in order to perform a setting operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to recognize when an existing setting is changed in conjunction with the selection before the setting value is selected.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first technical means of the present invention displays a setting dialog box in which various setting items are provided in order to perform a setting operation, and indicates instruction means for indicating a setting value for the setting item. An information processing apparatus that displays a setting value that is stored in a storage unit that stores a current setting value for the various setting items and that indicates a setting value different from the current setting value. A changed set value detecting means for detecting the current set value to be changed in conjunction with the selection of a value, and a display portion of the setting dialog box related to the current set value detected by the changed set value detecting means. Display control means for displaying an animation.

  In the first technical means, the second technical means further displays an illustration of the operation target device related to the setting in the setting dialog box, and the display control means detects the current set value detected by the changed setting value detecting means. The display portion of the illustration of the operation target device related to the set value is displayed as an animation.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the setting dialog box is provided with a plurality of cards, and the display control means sets the change setting on the currently displayed card. When there is no setting item in which the current setting value detected by the value detection unit is set, a tab corresponding to the card on which the setting item is provided is displayed as an animation.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the status of the operation target device that is an obstacle to the operation of the operation target device in the setting condition according to the setting values of the various setting items is detected. A failure status detection unit is further provided, wherein the display control unit displays an animation of a display portion of the setting dialog box related to the status detected by the failure status detection unit.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the animation display is to change a size of a part of the image. .

  According to a sixth technical means, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, the setting dialog box sets a setting item for print processing.

  In the present invention, if there is a setting item whose existing setting is changed in conjunction with the selection before the user selects a new setting for the setting item, an image related to the setting item to be changed is changed. Since a part of the animation is displayed, the user can recognize that there is a setting item in which the existing setting is changed, so that it is not necessary to review the setting.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system in which an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is used. As shown in the figure, the system 1 is an example of an information processing apparatus that displays a setting dialog box according to the present invention, and an example of a peripheral device connected to the PC 10 and an example of a control (operation) target device of the PC 10. A multi-function peripheral (MFP) 20. The PC 10 and the MFP 20 are interconnected by a communication network N such as a LAN, for example.

Prior to the description of the PC 10, the MFP 20 will be described.
The MFP 20 is configured as, for example, a multifunction peripheral having functions of a copying machine, a network scanner device, a printer device, and the like, and includes a CPU that performs calculations and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculations. A control unit 21 is provided. A storage unit 22 that stores a control program for controlling the MFP 20 is connected to the control unit 21.
The control unit 21 is connected to a scanner unit 23 that reads a document image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The control unit 21 is connected to an image forming unit 24 that forms image data on recording paper. The MFP 20 can form an image on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 24 based on the image data generated by the scanner unit 23. In this way, the MFP 20 functions as a copying machine.

The control unit 21 is connected to a communication unit 25 for the MFP 20 to send and receive information to and from the outside. The communication unit 25 can be connected to a communication network N such as an in-house LAN, and the PC 10 and the like are connected to the communication network N. The communication unit 25 is connected to the communication network N and exchanges information with the PC 10 via the communication network N.
The MFP 20 can transmit the image data generated by the scanner unit 23 based on the processing conditions set in the PC 10 from the communication unit 25 to the PC 10. In this way, the MFP 20 functions as a network scanner device.

  Further, the MFP 20 can receive the image data transmitted from the PC 10 by the communication unit 25 and form an image by the received image data and the image forming unit 24. In this way, the MFP 20 functions as a printer device. Further, the MFP 20 can read an original with the scanner unit 23 based on the processing conditions set by the PC 10, and can form an image on a recording sheet with the image forming unit 24 based on the read image data. In this way, the MFP 20 functions as a remote copy device.

In addition, the image forming unit 24 of the MFP 20 is used for forming an image including a sheet feeding unit for feeding a recording sheet including a plurality of sheet feeding trays, a color toner cartridge, a monochrome toner cartridge, and the like. It includes a toner supply unit that supplies toner, a staple unit that staples a recording paper group on which an image is formed, and the like. When functioning as the printer device, the paper feeding unit feeds the recording paper from the paper tray desired by the user to the image forming unit 24 based on the processing conditions set by the PC 10, and supplies the toner supply unit and the toner. The stapling unit also performs toner supply processing and stapling processing based on processing conditions set by the PC 10.
In the MFP 20, the control unit 21 holds status information of the MFP 20 (for example, information about running out of toner, information about running out of paper, information about running out of staples, information on whether there is a document on the scanner unit, etc.). It is configured to be able to.

  Next, the PC 10 will be described. The PC 10 can operate the MFP 20 connected to the PC 10 and set processing conditions when operating the MFP 20 by using user interfaces (UI) of various drivers. This is for an example in which the printing conditions when operating the printer as a printer are set using a printer setting dialog box constituting the UI of a printer driver which is an example of a driver.

The PC 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15.
The control unit 11 includes a CPU or the like that performs calculations, and controls the functions of the entire PC 10 including a display function of a printer setting dialog box (hereinafter abbreviated as a setting dialog). The storage unit 12 stores various types of information, and includes a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the above calculation, a hard disk that stores other information (for example, a program), and the like.

  The operation unit 13 includes an input device such as a keyboard and various pointing devices (for example, a mouse and a trackball), and transmits an operation from the user to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is an output device for presenting various types of information to the user, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The communication unit 15 is used for the PC 10 to transmit and receive information to and from the outside, and can be connected to the communication network N. The communication unit 15 enables information exchange between the PC 10 and the MFP 20 via the communication network N.

  Note that the control unit 11 of the PC 10 has a graphical device interface (GDI: GDI) as a module configuration for executing a print operation by the MFP 20 as a control target device based on image data transmitted from an application installed in the PC 10. Graphical Device Interface), printer driver, and print manager. That is, image data is transferred from the application to the GDI, printer driver, and print manager, and the image data is transferred from the print manager to the MFP 20 to execute the print operation. In this case, the application transmits a GDI function, and the GDI converts the transferred function into a device drive interface (DDI) function. Further, the printer driver generates image data for printer operation from the DDI function. The print manager transmits image data transferred from the printer driver and manages jobs. In addition to this, the printer driver has a function of transmitting information of the printer and the print manager to the GDI and application, providing a UI so that the user can change the setting of the printer driver, and holding a value set by the user. I have.

  When the control unit 11 executes the process of the printer driver, in the PC 10, the control unit 11 functions as a set value change possibility determination unit 11a, an automatic change set value presence / absence determination unit 11b, an animation display control unit 11c, and the like. The unit 12 functions as a set value storage unit 12a, an automatic change set value storage unit 12b, and the like. Functions of the set value change possibility determination unit 11a, automatic change set value presence / absence determination unit 11b, animation display control unit 11c, set value storage unit 12a, and automatic change set value storage unit 12b are as follows.

  The setting value storage unit 12a stores the selection state of the setting dialog (UI), functions as a “storage unit” of the present invention, and stores a setting value for each setting item of the setting dialog. For example, when the setting dialog is activated for the first time after the PC 10 is activated, the control unit 11 reads initial setting values for various setting items from the storage unit 12 and stores them in the setting value storage unit 12a. Thereafter, when the user inputs a desired setting value to the desired setting item via the operation unit 13 and changes the setting value, the setting value storage unit 12a changes the setting value after the change with respect to the changed setting item. Remember. Note that the initial setting value may be a factory default value or may be set by a user. The setting value storage unit 12a sets, for example, “number of copies”: “1”, “double-sided printing”: “single-sided printing”, “binding position”: “left binding”, “staple”: “ “None”, “Monochrome printing”: “Non-selected”, “Paper size”: “A4”, “Paper tray”: “Automatic paper feeding”, “Color”: “Automatic”, etc. are stored. This set value is an initial set value. 2 to 4 are diagrams illustrating display examples of a setting dialog in a state where various setting items are initial setting values.

  Here, the setting dialog according to the present invention will be described. For example, six types of cards such as “main”, “paper”, and “color” are prepared in the setting dialog. 2 to 4 show a state in which the “main” card 110 is displayed, a state in which the “paper” card 120 is displayed, and a state in which the “color” card 130 is displayed. For example, the card displayed first when the setting dialog is displayed is set to the “main” card 110 by the initial setting, and then the tabs of the “paper” card 120 and the “color” card 130 are set to the user. The card displayed by clicking with the mouse changes.

  Each card 110, 120, 130 has a setting value input area A1 for accepting input of setting values from the user for the setting items, and an illustration display area A2 for displaying illustrations corresponding to the set setting values. Is provided. The “color” card 130 is provided with an explanation display area A3 for displaying explanations regarding the setting values input for the setting items of the card 130.

In the setting value input area A1 of each card 110, 120, 130, a setting value input field for inputting or selecting a setting value for the setting item is provided for each setting item.
In the setting value input area A1 of the “main” card 110, as shown in FIG. 2, a setting value input field f11 is provided for the setting item “number of copies”. The set value input field f11 is for setting the number of copies to be printed. A setting value input field f12 is provided for the setting item “double-sided printing”. The setting value input field f12 is used to set a printing mode such as single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and “single-sided printing”, “double-sided printing horizontal binding”, “double-sided printing vertical binding”, and “saddle binding printing” are prepared as options. ing. Further, the “main” card 110 is provided with a set value input field f13 for the setting item “binding position”. The setting value input field f13 is used for setting for binding a plurality of pages of an original so as to be printed as a booklet. For example, “Left binding”, “Right binding”, “Upper binding”, etc. Selected from the list. A setting value input field f14 is provided for the setting item “staple”. The set value input field f14 sets the number of staple locations, and is selected from a list such as “None”, “1 location binding”, “2 location binding”, and the like. Further, the “main” card 110 is provided with a check box f15 as a setting value input field relating to the printing method (setting item “monochrome printing”). This check box f15 is designated when printing in the monochrome mode. To do.

In the setting value input area A1 of the “paper” card 120, as shown in FIG. 3, a setting value input field f21 is provided for the setting item “paper size”. The set value input field f21 is used to set the paper size used for printing. For example, the set value input field f21 can be selected from a list such as “A4”, “B5”, and “letter”. In addition, a setting value input field f22 is provided for the setting item “paper tray”. The set value input field f22 is used to set a tray that is a paper supply source of paper used for printing, and can be selected from a list such as “automatic paper feed” and “tray 1”.
In the setting value input area A1 of the “color” card 130, as shown in FIG. 4, a setting value input field f31 is provided for the setting item “color”. The set value input field f31 sets the type of toner used for printing, and “automatic”, “color”, and “grayscale” are prepared as options.

  In the illustration display area A2 of each card 110, 120, 130, as described above, an illustration corresponding to the setting value set in the setting value input area A1 is displayed, but it corresponds to the setting value for the recording paper. A paper illustration display area A21 for displaying an illustration to be displayed, and a device illustration display area A22 for displaying an illustration corresponding to a set value for the MFP are provided. In the paper illustration display area A21, for example, when “binding position”: “left binding” and “staple”: “single binding” are set as setting values for each setting item, the upper left portion is set. An illustration of the paper with one staple is displayed. In the device illustration display area A22, for example, when “paper tray”: “tray 2” is set as the setting value of the setting item, the device in which the tray portion in the second row from the top is highlighted. Is displayed.

  Each of the cards 110, 120, and 130 is provided with an “OK” button BT1 and a “Cancel” button BT2. By using the setting dialog 100, the user can change setting values for the setting items by inputting the setting values in the above-described various setting value input fields, and can change the printing conditions including the setting item group. However, this printing condition has not yet been determined, and is determined only when the “OK” button BT1 is pressed. When confirmed, for example, the printing conditions stored in the storage unit 12 are rewritten, and when the user subsequently presses the “OK” button in the print dialog, the image data is printed under the changed printing conditions. Thus, the MFP 20 can be operated.

  Returning to the description of the control unit 11 and the storage unit 12 when the control unit 11 executes the process of the printer driver.

  The set value change possibility determination unit 11a determines whether or not the user is going to change the set value. For example, in the setting value change possibility determination unit 11a, a setting value in a setting value input field of a setting item in the setting dialog is pointed (pointed) by an instruction unit (for example, a mouse pointer), and the setting pointed to If the value is different from the setting value currently set for the target setting item, the setting value pointed to is specified as the setting value (change candidate setting value) of the change candidate that the user is trying to change Then, it is determined that the user is going to change the set value.

  More specifically, for example, the setting value “one-sided printing” is set in the setting value input field f12 provided for the setting item “double-sided printing” in the setting dialog 100 of FIG. At this time, if the mouse pointer is on the setting value “saddle stitch printing” in the setting value input field f12 of the setting item “double-sided printing”, the setting value change possibility determination unit 11a sets the setting value “saddle stitch printing”. The change candidate setting value is specified, and it is determined that the user is going to change the setting value.

  When the set value change possibility determination unit 11a determines that the user is going to change the set value, the automatic change set value presence / absence determination unit 11b works in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate set value ( It is determined whether or not there is a setting value to be changed (in conjunction with the selection of the specified change candidate setting value). The determination in the automatic change set value presence / absence determination unit 11b is performed based on the change candidate set value with reference to the set value storage unit 12a and the automatic change set value storage unit 12b.

  The automatic change setting value storage unit 12b stores automatic change setting value information. The automatic change set value information includes a set value that is changed for each set value (that is, associated with the set value) in conjunction with the change to the set value (automatically by the change to the set value). (Automatic change setting value) is described. For example, “double-sided printing” as a setting value: “saddle stitch printing” is associated with “automatic change setting value” as “binding position”: “top binding”.

  The automatic change setting value presence / absence determination unit 11b first determines from the automatic change setting value information and the change candidate setting value whether the setting value corresponding to the change candidate setting value is described in the automatic change setting value information. If so, the automatic change setting value associated with the change candidate setting value as the setting value is specified. Then, the automatic change setting value presence / absence determination unit 11b determines whether or not the associated automatic change setting value is included in the setting values for various setting items stored in the setting value storage unit 12a. If so, it is determined that there is a setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value.

  As will be described later, when the automatic change setting value presence / absence determination unit 11b determines that there is a setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value, the animation display control unit 11c Controls the display portion of the setting dialog box related to the setting value changed in conjunction with the animation to be displayed as an animation. Therefore, in the automatic change setting value information, information on a portion to be animated (animation display partial information) is also described in association with the setting value and the automatic change setting value corresponding thereto. For example, “double-sided printing”: “saddle binding printing” as the setting value and “binding position”: “top binding” as the automatic change setting value are associated with the “setting value input field f13 and The setting item "is described. The animation display described later with reference to FIG. 5 is performed based on the automatic change setting information in the above example.

When the automatic change setting value presence / absence determination unit 11b determines that there is a setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value, the animation display control unit 11c determines the setting value change possibility determination unit 11a. Based on the automatic change setting value specified by the change candidate setting value and / or the automatic change setting value presence / absence determining unit 11b specified by the user, the automatic change setting value information is referred to and related to the setting value to be changed in conjunction with the automatic change setting value information Control to animate part of the image.
As described above, the set value change possibility determination unit 11a and the automatic change set value presence / absence determination unit 11b cooperate to function as the “change set value detection unit” of the present invention, and the animation display control unit 11c It functions as a “display control unit” of the present invention.

  Then, the example of the animation display in this invention is demonstrated using FIG.5 and FIG.6. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the setting items in the setting value input area of the setting dialog and the setting value input field corresponding thereto are displayed as animations. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which an illustration of the illustration display area is displayed as an animation, and an illustration of the paper tray of the MFP to be controlled is displayed as an animation.

  For animation display in the present invention, the animation display control unit 11c prepares several patterns of UI images to be used for each animation display. These UI images allow the user to confirm that the animation display is being performed when the animation display is performed in the setting dialog.

  For example, in the setting dialog 100, when the setting item “binding position” of the setting value input area A1 and the setting value input field f13 corresponding to the setting item are displayed as animations, the setting item “binding position” and the setting are displayed as shown in FIG. An image in which the value input field f13 is small, an image in which the size of the setting item “binding position” and the setting value input field f13 is medium (normal size) as shown in FIG. 5B, and FIG. As shown in C), an image having a large setting item “binding position” and a large set value input field f13 is prepared. The display order of the above three images in the setting dialog 100 for animation display is also determined. For example, FIG. 5 (A) → FIG. 5 (B) → FIG. 5 (C) → FIG. 5 (B) → FIG. ) → FIG. 5 (B)... An animation is displayed by displaying the images in this order and the display time of each image arbitrarily determined.

  The case where the animation display as shown in FIG. 5 is performed is, for example, the case where “binding position”: “top binding” of the “main” card 110 has already been set, and the setting item “double-sided printing” is set. This is a case where the value is to be changed to “saddle stitch printing”. If the “Binding Position”: “Top Binding” is already set and the setting is changed to “Double-Sided Printing”: “Saddle Binding Printing”, the setting value of the setting item “Binding Position” is automatically set to “Left Binding”. It is because it will be changed to.

  Further, for example, in the setting dialog 100, when the paper tray illustration I1 of the apparatus in the illustration display area A2 is displayed as an animation, the paper tray illustration I1 is a small image as shown in FIG. 6A, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, an image having a medium size (normal size) of the paper tray illustration I1 and an image having a large paper tray illustration I1 are prepared. The display order of the above-described three images in the setting dialog 100 is also determined. For example, FIG. 6 (A) → FIG. 6 (B) → FIG. 6 (C) → FIG. 6 (B) → FIG. ) → FIG. 6 (B)... By displaying such images in this order and with the display time of each image arbitrarily determined, the animation of the illustration in the illustration display area is displayed.

  When the animation display as shown in FIG. 6 is performed, for example, “paper tray”: “tray 2” of the “paper” card 120 is already set, and B5 size paper is placed on the tray 2. And the setting is such that the paper tray is automatically changed in accordance with the setting item “paper” and the setting value of the setting item “paper” is to be changed to “A4”. .

Next, an example of setting dialog display processing by the PC 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When a user performs a predetermined operation (such as a printer driver activation operation or a “property” button pressing operation) via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 first stores initial setting values for various setting items, for example. The initial setting value read out from the unit 12 is stored in the setting value storage unit 12a as a setting value for each setting item. Then, a setting dialog is displayed on the display unit 14 based on the setting value for each setting item stored in the setting value storage unit 12a (step S1).

  In the subsequent step S2, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the “OK” button BT1 or the “Cancel” button BT2 of the setting dialog 100 via the operation unit 13 to instruct the display end of the setting dialog 100. When it is determined that the display end of the setting dialog 100 is not instructed (step S2, NO), the setting value change possibility determination unit 11a has a mouse pointer on a setting value that is not currently selected as a setting value. It is determined whether or not (step S3).

  If there is a mouse pointer (pointed) to a setting value that is not currently selected as a setting value (step S3, YES), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the setting value change possibility determination unit 11a is pointed. Set value is specified as a change candidate setting value. Then, the automatic change set value presence / absence discriminating unit 11b sets the set value for each setting item stored in the set value storage unit 12a, the specified change candidate set value, and the automatic change set value information in the automatic change set value storage unit 12b. And whether or not there is a setting value related to the change candidate setting value that is automatically changed, that is, a setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value It is determined whether or not there is.

  When there is a setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value (the current setting value that is changed in conjunction with the change to the specified change candidate setting value is detected) (step S4, YES), the animation display control unit 11c is based on the specified change candidate setting value, the setting value (automatic change setting value) changed in conjunction with the specified change candidate, and the automatic change setting value information in the automatic change setting value storage unit 12b. Then, control is performed so that a part of the image related to the item changed in conjunction with the animation is displayed as an animation (step S5). The control unit 11 determines whether or not the set value pointed to is selected during the animation display based on, for example, determination of whether or not the user has clicked the mouse (step S6). If the set value pointed to is not selected during the animation display (step S6, NO), it is determined whether or not the mouse pointer has moved from the set value (step S7).

  If the mouse pointer has not moved from the set value (step S7, NO), the process returns to step S6. If the mouse pointer moves over the set value (step S7, YES), the animation is stopped (step S8), and the process returns to step S2. Also, when the set value pointed to is selected during the animation display (step S6, YES), the animation is stopped (step S8), and the process returns to step S2.

In addition, when there is no mouse pointer on the setting value in the setting value input field of the setting item (step S3, NO), or when the change candidate setting value is actually selected as the setting value, the setting value that is changed in conjunction with the setting value If not, the process returns to step S2.
If it is determined in step S2 that the display of the setting dialog 100 has been instructed (YES), this process ends.

  In the above example, the setting item in which the change candidate setting value is set and the setting item in which the automatic change setting value associated with the change candidate setting value is set are provided in the same card of the setting dialog 100. Since the setting item for setting the associated automatic change setting value is provided on the currently displayed card, the setting item in the setting value input area A1 is displayed as an animation. It was. However, if the setting item for which the change candidate setting value is set and the setting item for which the automatic change setting value associated with the change candidate setting value is set in different cards, animation display control is performed. As shown in FIG. 8, the tab 11 may be animated in the setting dialog 100 by the unit 11 c.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a tab of the setting dialog is displayed as an animation. For example, in the setting dialog 100, when the “color” tab T is displayed with the “main” card being displayed, an image having a small “color” tab T as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, an image in which the size of the “color” tab T is medium (normal size) and an image in which the “color” tab T is large are prepared as shown in FIG. To do. Then, an animation using these images is displayed. Since the method is the same as described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  The case where the animation display as shown in FIG. 8 is performed is, for example, the case where “color mode”: “color” of the “color” card 130 is already set, and the setting value of the setting item “monochrome printing” Is to be changed to “selection” (that is, the check box f15 (see FIG. 2) is to be checked). “Color Mode: When“ Color ”is already set, if you change to“ Monochrome Print ”:“ Select ”, the setting value of the setting item“ Color Mode ”will be automatically changed to“ Monochrome ” Because.

  As described above, in the user interface display method of the present invention, when the mouse pointer is on the setting value for the setting item, other setting values for other setting items are changed by changing the setting value to the pointed setting value. When it is changed automatically, the part related to the setting value that is automatically changed is displayed as an animation. As a result, it is possible to reduce the user's burden of reviewing the settings before completing the setting of the printing conditions.

Through the UI as described above, in most cases, the user can avoid the operation of the MFP 20 under unintended printing conditions.
Further, depending on the status (situation) of the MFP 20 (for example, when the paper is out), the user may not be able to operate the MFP 20 with the set printing conditions.
Therefore, the PC 10 automatically acquires the status information of the MFP 20 from the MFP 20 while the setting dialog 100 is displayed. The form of information used for information exchange between the PC and the MFP 20 is not particularly limited, but MIB (Management Information Base) is generally used. If it is determined that the MFP 20 cannot be operated under the printing conditions set (intended) by the user based on the acquired status information of the MFP 20, the part related to the failure status that actually prevented the process is displayed in the setting dialog 100. Animate.

  If the status information of the MFP 20 includes “out of paper in tray 2” as the failure status, and “paper tray”: “tray 2” is set, the PC 10 displays the animation display control unit 11c as “ Control is performed so that an illustration of the tray 2 that is a portion related to “out of paper in the tray 2” is displayed in an animation in the illustration display area A2 of the setting dialog 100 as shown in FIG.

  An example of the animation display performed when the MFP 20 is prevented from operating under the printing conditions intended by the user will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an illustration of the staple unit portion of the MFP is displayed as an animation.

For example, in the setting dialog 100, when the illustration I2 of the staple unit portion of the apparatus in the illustration display area A2 is displayed as an animation, an image having a small illustration I2 of the staple unit portion as shown in FIG. 9A, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, an image having a medium size (normal size) of the illustration I2 of the staple unit portion and an image having a large illustration I2 of the staple unit portion are prepared. . Then, an animation using these images is displayed. Since the display method is the same as described above, the description thereof is omitted.
For example, when the animation display as shown in FIG. 9 is performed, “staple staple out” is set as the failure status in the status information of the MFP 20, “staple”: “stop one place” is set. This is the case.

  Although not specifically illustrated and described, the PC 10 is set when “color toner out” is included in the status information of the MFP 20 as the failure status, and “color mode”: “color” is set. In this case, an illustration of the toner cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus in the illustration display area A2 can be displayed as an animation.

  The PC 10 stores failure status list information so that animation can be displayed according to such status information. In the failure status list information, for each failure status (that is, associated with the failure status), a setting value (non-executable setting value) for a setting item that cannot be executed due to the failure status and an animation display are displayed. Information on a part of related images (animation display image information) related to the set value is described. In the failure status list information, for example, “staple”: “single place stop” is set as an infeasible setting value in association with the failure status of “staple staple breakage”, and the illustration I2 of the staple unit portion is displayed as animation display image information. Are listed.

  The PC 10 performs an animation display according to the status information by operating as follows using the failure status list information. In other words, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 functions as the “failure status detection unit” of the present invention. First, the status information of the MFP 20 is acquired, and if there is a failure status in the status information, based on the failure status list information, Identifies the infeasible setting value associated with the failure status information. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the infeasible set value is selected as the set value with reference to the set value storage unit 12a, and when the infeasible set value is selected as the set value Specifies animation display image information associated with the failure status based on the failure status list information. Thereafter, based on the specified animation display image information, the control unit 11 controls the animation display control unit 11c to display an animation related to the infeasible setting value.

  Note that the timing for acquiring the status of the MFP 20 in the PC 10 and the timing for displaying the animation in accordance with the status may be any time during the setting dialog being displayed, may be when the setting dialog is activated, or the mouse pointer is over a predetermined setting value. May have moved, or when a predetermined set value has been selected.

  The present invention can also be applied to a driver for remote copying instead of a printer driver. In this case, when the failure status includes “no original in the scanner unit” (that is, the scanner of the MFP 20). When the PC 10 receives information that no document is placed on the copy section), the illustration of the scanner section can be controlled to be displayed as an animation in the illustration display area A2 of the setting dialog 100 as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the setting dialog 100, when the illustration I3 of the scanner unit of the device in the illustration display area A2 is displayed as an animation, an image with a small illustration I3 of the scanner unit as shown in FIG. 10A and an image as shown in FIG. In addition, an image in which the size of the illustration I3 of the scanner unit is medium (normal size) and an image in which the illustration I3 of the scanner unit is large as shown in FIG. An animation can be displayed by displaying these images in sequence. The detailed description of the display method is the same as described above, and will be omitted.

  In the above example, the automatic change setting value storage unit 12b of the storage unit 12 of the PC 10 stores the automatic change setting value information in advance. However, the automatic change setting value information stored in the storage unit of the MFP 20 is stored in the setting dialog. May be read from the storage unit of the MFP 20, and the automatic change setting value storage unit 12b may store the automatic change setting value information. Also, the failure status list information stored in the storage unit of the MFP 20 may be acquired simultaneously with the acquisition of the status information of the MFP 20, for example.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a printer driver but also to various types of software having a UI such as a scanner driver, a PC-FAX driver, and a general application.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system by which the information processing apparatus of this invention is used. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting dialog which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting dialog which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the setting dialog which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the example which displays the setting item of the setting value input area of a setting dialog, and the setting value input column with respect to it by animation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an illustration of a paper tray of an MFP in an illustration display area of a setting dialog is displayed as an animation. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a display process of a setting dialog by the PC of FIG. It is a figure explaining the example which displays the tab of a setting dialog as an animation. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example in which an illustration of a staple unit portion of an MFP in an illustration display area of a setting dialog is displayed as an animation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an illustration of the scanner unit of the MFP in the illustration display area of the setting dialog is displayed as an animation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... PC, 11 ... Control part, 11a ... Setting value change possibility determination part, 11b ... Automatic change setting value presence / absence determination part, 11c ... Animation display control part, 12 ... Storage part, 12a ... Setting value storage part, 12b ... Automatic change set value storage unit, 13 ... operation unit, 14 ... display unit, 15 ... communication unit, 20 ... MFP, 21 ... control unit, 22 ... storage unit, 23 ... scanner unit, 24 ... image forming unit, 25 ... communication Department.

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus for displaying a setting dialog box provided with various setting items for performing a setting operation, and displaying an instruction unit for indicating a setting value for the setting item,
Storage means for storing current setting values for the various setting items;
A change setting value detection means for detecting that the instruction means indicates a setting value different from the current setting value, and detecting the current setting value that is changed in conjunction with selection of the setting value;
An information processing apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying an animation of a display portion of the setting dialog box related to the current set value detected by the changed set value detecting means. In the setting dialog box, an illustration of the operation target device related to the setting is further displayed,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an animation of a display portion of the illustration of the operation target device related to the current setting value detected by the change setting value detection unit. . The setting dialog box includes a plurality of cards.
The display control means, when the setting item in which the current setting value detected by the changed setting value detection means is not provided in the currently displayed card, the card in which the setting item is provided The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tab corresponding to is displayed as an animation. A failure status detection unit that detects a status of the operation target device that is an obstacle to the operation of the operation target device in the setting conditions according to the setting values of the various setting items;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an animation of a display portion of the setting dialog box related to the status detected by the failure status detection unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the animation display is changing a size of a part of the image.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting dialog box sets setting items for print processing.

Images