JP2010146052A - Printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

A printer driver capable of printing reflecting the intention of a document creator.
An information processing apparatus receives a generation instruction for an image in which setting information of a printer driver is embedded, and a printer driver when receiving the generation instruction.
Means for generating image data embedded with 20 setting information, and means for storing the generated image data. An application 21 that creates a document to be printed
Means for acquiring the created document from 0, means for specifying the image data in which the setting information of the printer driver 220 is embedded from the document, and means for acquiring the setting information of the printer driver from the specified image data And means for executing printing of the document by the printer 100 in accordance with the contents of the acquired setting information.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer driver that controls a printer.

There is a printer driver that accepts a setting change from a user and executes printing according to the changed setting (see Patent Document 1). For example, the user can freely change the settings of the printer driver, such as enlargement / reduction, and perform printing in accordance with the setting contents.
JP-A-2005-301888

However, inconvenience may occur if printing is executed against the intention of the document creator. For example, consider a case where a user prints print data including a barcode. With the conventional printer driver, the user can change the setting of the printer driver and change the resolution or enlarge / reduce the print without permission. However, the size and quality of the printed barcode may be reduced and may not be read by the barcode reader.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver capable of printing reflecting the intention of a document creator.

The present invention for solving the above problems is a printer driver for controlling a printer, and means for receiving an instruction to generate an image in which setting information of the printer driver is embedded;
And a means for generating image data in which setting information of the printer driver is embedded, and a means for storing the generated image data when the generation instruction is received.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As illustrated, the printing system 10 includes a printer 100 and an information processing apparatus 200. The printer 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 are connected to each other via a cable such as a USB cable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 may be connected to each other via a computer network such as the Internet or a LAN.

The information processing apparatus 200 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown),
RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a display device such as a display, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the printer 1
00 and a general computer (personal computer) provided with a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data.

On the information processing apparatus 200, as shown in the figure, an application 210 and a printer driver 220 are built at least. The application 210 and the printer driver 220 are constructed by the CPU executing a computer program loaded into the RAM from the ROM or the like included in the information processing apparatus 200.

The application 210 performs processing for creating document data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “document”). Here, the document is data (for example, a word (registered trademark) file) generated by document creation software, data (for example, an Excel (registered trademark) file) generated by spreadsheet software, or data generated by a drawing software. (For example, a PowerPoint (registered trademark) file). The application 210 functions in accordance with a general document creation program installed in the information processing apparatus 200. This document creation program includes, for example, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the like.

The printer driver 220 includes a setting unit 221 and a code image generation unit 22 as illustrated.
2 and a print data generation unit 223, and performs print control of the printer 100.

The setting unit 221 performs various settings related to printing by the printer 100 (resolution, enlargement / reduction, color, etc.). For example, the setting unit 221 displays a setting screen on a display device or the like and receives an instruction from the user.

The code image generation unit 222 generates a code image in which various settings related to printing (settings made by the setting unit 221) are recorded. Here, the code image may be data in any format as long as it can be embedded (pasted) in a document created by the application 210. For example, the code image may be a bitmap image or image data such as JPEG. However, a bitmap image is preferable because it can be pasted on many documents.

The print data generation unit 223 generates print data that can be printed by the printer 100 based on data to be printed (for example, a document created by the application 210).
The print data generation unit 223 includes a print command for controlling the printer 100,
The generated print data is transmitted to the printer 100 for printing.

In addition, when printing a document in which a code image is embedded, the print data generation unit 223 specifies the code image embedded in the document and generates print data according to the setting contents recorded in the specified code image. To do.

  Next, the printer 100 will be described.

The printer 100 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication interface that transmits and receives data to and from the information processing apparatus 200, a print engine, an input device (such as an operation panel and a touch panel), and a display device (not shown). (Display panel, touch panel, etc.). However, the configuration of the printer 100 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that performs specific processing. Further, the printer 100 is not limited to a printer, and may be, for example, a multifunction machine having a FAX function or a scanner function.

On the printer 100, at least a print execution unit 110 is constructed. Print execution unit 110
Is constructed by the operation of the print engine.

The print execution unit 110 prints the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200. Specifically, the print execution unit 110 controls the print engine in accordance with a print command notified from the information processing apparatus 200 and executes printing of print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200.

In this embodiment, a document creator creates a document, distributes it to a document user (printer), and the document user prints the document. Therefore, the printing system 10 may be individually owned by the document creator and the document user, or may be shared in part or in whole.

<Code image generation processing>
Next, a characteristic operation of the printing system 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG.
3 is a flowchart of a code image generation process performed by the information processing apparatus 200.

When the user (document creator) gives an instruction to start the printer driver (an instruction for creating a code image), the printer driver 220 starts a code image generation process.

When the code image generation process is started, the setting unit 221 of the printer driver 220 accepts various settings relating to printing (step S101). Specifically, the setting unit 221 displays a setting screen 300 on a display device, and based on an instruction from the document creator, basic settings related to paper size and paper feed device settings, resolution, enlargement / reduction, and the like. It accepts application settings related to settings, extended settings related to print range settings on printing paper, utility settings related to whether or not to create code images, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the setting screen 300. As illustrated, the setting screen 300 includes a basic setting tab 310 for receiving basic settings, an application setting tab 320 for receiving application settings, and an environment setting tab 330 for receiving extended settings.
A utility tab 340 for receiving utility settings and the like is provided.

The setting unit 221 displays the tab (any one of 310 to 340) selected by the document creator on the foreground on the setting screen 300, and sets the selected tab (any one of 310 to 340). Accept.

When the basic setting tab 310 is selected (or no tab is selected), the setting unit 221 displays a setting screen 300 as illustrated and accepts the basic setting. Similarly, when a tab other than the basic setting tab 310 is selected, the setting unit 221 is similarly used.
Accepts various settings.

Upon receiving various settings relating to printing, the setting unit 221 stores the received setting content (step S102). Specifically, the setting unit 221 generates setting information 400 describing various setting contents received on the setting screen 300 and stores the setting information 400 in a storage device such as a hard disk.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic data structure of the setting information 400. As illustrated, the setting information 400 includes a record 430 for each setting item. Each record 430 corresponding to all setting items that can be set is stored in the setting information 400 in advance. In each record 430, a setting item 410 and a setting value 420 are stored in association with each other.

The setting item 410 is information for specifying the setting item. For example, a character string that can identify each setting item such as “resolution”, “enlargement / reduction”, “color (color, grayscale, etc.)”, and the like. (Including numeric strings).

The setting value 420 is information for specifying the setting content corresponding to each setting item 410, and includes, for example, a character string (including a numeric string) indicating the setting value such as “480 dpi” and “80%”.

Note that the setting unit 221 rewrites the setting value 420 of the setting information 400 for the setting item whose setting content has been changed every time a change in the setting content is received from the document creator.

When the utility tab 340 is selected, the setting unit 221 displays a setting screen 300 as shown in FIG. 5 and accepts utility settings.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the setting screen 300 when the utility tab 340 is selected. As shown in the figure, the setting screen 300 includes a code image creation button 350 for requesting generation of a code image, and a display character for inputting a character string to be printed instead of (or together with the code image). And a column column 360 is provided. When a character string is input to the display character string field 360, the setting unit 221 displays the display character string field 360.
The setting contents to print the character string entered in, and the character string to be actually printed when the character string is printed (for example, “This is a sentence printed according to the intention of the creator.”) Are stored in the setting information 400.

The setting unit 221 determines whether there is a request for code image generation while the utility tab 340 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the forefront of the setting screen 300 (step S103).
Specifically, the setting unit 221 determines that there has been a request for code image generation when the operation of the code image creation button 350 illustrated in FIG. 5 is received. On the other hand, if another request (operation) is accepted without accepting the operation of the image creation button 350, it is determined that there is no request for code image generation.

If the setting unit 221 determines that there is no code image generation request (step S103).
No), the process proceeds to step S106 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a request for code image generation (step S103; Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

When the process proceeds to step S104, the code image generation unit 222 generates a code image 500 in which the setting information 400 is recorded (step S104).

Specifically, the setting unit 221 first performs processing for determining a data format of a code image to be generated and a storage destination. For example, when the code image creation button 350 is operated, the setting unit 221 presents data format candidates (a plurality of candidates such as bitmap and JPEG) of the code image to be generated, and from among the presented candidates, Accepts selection from the document creator. Furthermore, the setting unit 221 accepts an instruction from the document creator regarding the location where the generated code image is stored.

When the data format of the code image to be generated and the storage destination are determined, the code image generation unit 22
2 starts the process of generating the code image 500. For example, the code image generation unit 222 reads the setting information 400 stored in the storage device, and the read setting information 400 is
The data is converted into a code image 500 in a data format (for example, a bitmap image) selected by the document creator. Here, the code image generation unit 222 generates the code image 500 by assigning, for example, binary data of the setting information 400 as pixel data of a binary bitmap.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of the code image 500 generated by the code image generation unit 222. As shown in the figure, the code image 500 is converted from the setting information 400 into a bitmap image whose setting contents cannot be understood by the user.

When the code image 500 is generated, the code image generation unit 222 generates the generated code image 50.
0 is stored (step S105). Specifically, the code image generation unit 222 stores the code image 500 generated in step S104 in a storage destination (storage device) instructed by the document creator. Thereafter, the code image generation unit 222 proceeds to step S106.

When the process proceeds to step S106, the setting unit 221 determines whether another setting change instruction has been issued by the document creator (step S106). Here, when it is determined that another setting change instruction has been issued (step S106; Yes), the process is performed in step S10.
Returning to 1, the setting can be changed even after the code image is generated. On the other hand, when it is determined that no other setting change instruction has been given (for example, when the “OK button” or “cancel button” on the setting screen 300 is operated) (step S106; No), this flow (code) Image generation processing) is terminated.

By performing the above code image generation processing by the printer driver 220, a code image in which various settings relating to printing are recorded can be generated and stored.

<Document creation process>
Next, another characteristic operation in the printing system 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of document creation processing performed by the information processing apparatus 200.

The application 210 starts a document creation process when an instruction to start the application is issued from a user (document creator).

When the document creation process is started, the application 210 creates a document including various data such as document data, image data, and program data in accordance with the instruction of the document creator, as in the case of creating a general document. .

Then, the application 210 determines whether an instruction to embed (paste) a code image in the document being created has been given during document creation (step S201).
. Specifically, the application 210 determines that an instruction to embed a code image has been given when an operation of dropping a code image onto a document being created is performed based on an instruction from the document creator. However, the instruction to embed the code image may be performed by other methods, for example, by an operation of issuing a predetermined embedding command or the like,
You may be instructed. Regardless of which method is used, the instruction to embed a code image in the document includes information for specifying the code image to be embedded and information for specifying the position (on the document) where the code image is to be embedded. Yes.

The application 210 continues the same processing as that for generating a general document until it is determined that an instruction to embed a code image in the document being created has been given (step S2).
01; No).

On the other hand, when the application 210 determines that an instruction to embed a code image in the document being created has been given (step S201; Yes), the process proceeds to step S202, and a process of actually embedding (pasting) the code image in the document. (Step S
202). Specifically, the application 210 reads the code image instructed by the document creator in step S201 from the storage device saved in step S105. Further, the read code image is embedded at a position (on the document) designated by the document creator in step S201.

Then, the application 210 stores the document in which the code image is embedded in accordance with an instruction from the document creator (step S203). Specifically, the application 210 stores the document in which the code image is embedded in a predetermined location (storage device) designated by the document creator.

After saving the document, the application 210 ends this flow (document creation processing).

By performing the above document creation processing by the application 210, the code image created in advance by the document creator can be embedded in the document.

The document created by the above document creation process is distributed to the document printer via e-mail, a portable storage medium (hand-over between users), and the like.

<Print processing>
Next, another characteristic operation in the printing system 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of print processing performed by the information processing apparatus 200.

A user (document printing person) to whom the document is distributed receives the application 210.
For example, the document can be displayed on the display device.

Here, when an instruction to start the printer driver (instruction to start for printing) is issued from the document printer, the printer driver 220 starts print processing.

When the printing process is started, the printer driver 220 determines whether a code image is embedded in the document to be printed (step S301). Specifically, the printer driver 220 obtains a document to be printed from the application 210, and makes a determination by searching a predetermined identifier (for example, an identifier of a bitmap image) for identifying a code image from the obtained document. .

If the printer driver 220 determines that the code image is not embedded (step S301; No), the process proceeds to step S304 in order to perform normal printing processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the code image is embedded (step S301; Y
es), the process proceeds to step 302.

When the process proceeds to step S302, the printer driver 220 displays the code image 500.
The setting content (setting information 400) recorded in (1) is acquired (step S302). For example, the printer driver 220 performs a predetermined process on the code image 500 searched in step S301 (
The setting information 400 is extracted by performing a process reverse to the process of generating the code image 500 from the setting information 400.

When the setting contents recorded in the code image 500 are acquired, the printer driver 220 applies the acquired setting contents (setting information 400) to the print settings of the printer driver 220 (
Step S303). Specifically, the printer driver 220 reads the setting value 420 for each setting item from the setting information 400 extracted in step S302. Then, the read setting value 420 is overwritten on the print setting (default value) of the printer driver 220.

Thereafter, the printer driver 220 shifts the process to step S304 to generate print data (step S304). Specifically, the printer driver 220 executes step S
The print setting of the printer driver 220 updated in 303 (however, in step S30)
The print data of the document to be printed is generated according to the default value when the process directly moves from 1 to step S304. As a result, the printer driver 220 can print the document only with the print settings intended by the document creator.

Here, the printer driver 220 also generates a print command according to the setting contents recorded in the code image 500 together with the print data according to the setting contents recorded in the code image 500. For example, the printer driver 220 outputs the code image 500 embedded (pasted) in a part of a document as it is together with the document (
A print command for printing is generated. If the code image 500 includes the setting contents for printing the character string input in the display character string field 360, the printer driver 220 outputs the character string instead of the code image 500 ( A print command for printing is generated.

Then, the printer driver 220 transmits the print data generated in step S304 and the print command to the printer 100 (step S305). Step S30
The print command generated in step 4 may be included in the print data and transmitted to the printer 100.
It may be transmitted to the printer 100 separately from the print data.

The printer driver 220 transmits the print data to the printer 100 until the transmission of the print data is completed (step S306; No). When the transmission of the print data is completed (step S306; Yes), the printer driver 220 returns the print setting (value) changed in step S303 to a default value (step 307). This eliminates the need for the document printer to manually return the print settings to the default values. In particular, the document printer may not know the contents of the print settings changed according to the code image 500.
Returning the print setting to the default value after sending the print data is a convenient function for the document printer.

  Then, the printer driver 220 ends this flow (printing process).

Here, when the print execution unit 110 of the printer 100 receives the print data and the print command transmitted from the printer driver 220, the print execution unit 110 prints the print data according to the received print command.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating examples of printing results obtained by the printer 100.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a printing result when the code image 500 printed according to the setting contents recorded in the code image 500 and printed in the document is printed as it is.

8B is also printed according to the setting contents recorded in the code image 500, and the code image 500 embedded in the document is replaced with the character string input to the display character string 360 and printed. It is a figure which shows the printing result in the case.

The printer driver 220 performs the above print processing, so that the document created by the document creator can be printed only with the print settings intended by the document creator.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, the printer driver 220 sends the document to the printer 10.
When printing is performed at 0, the code image 500 or a character string substituted for the code image 500 is output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer driver 220 may generate print data in which neither the code image 500 nor the character string is output.
Further, the printer driver 220 may generate print data in which both the code image 500 and the character string are output. Further, the printer driver 220 may generate print data in which the color of the code image 500 is displayed lightly. Printer driver 2
20 may generate print data in which other image data instead of the code image 500 is output.

In the above embodiment, the setting content recorded in the code image 500 is applied to the print setting of the printer driver 220 without obtaining any consent from the document user (printer). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after acquiring the setting information 400 in step S302, the printer driver 220 transmits the setting information 400 to the printer driver 22.
You may make it accept the consent from a document user (printer) about whether to apply to 0 print setting. When accepting the approval, the printer driver 220 performs a process of applying the setting information 400 to the print settings of the printer driver 220 in step S303. In addition, the printer driver 220 may display the setting information 400 on the display device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a code image generation process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a setting screen when a basic setting tab is selected. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a schematic data structure of setting information. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a code image generated by the code image generation unit. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a setting screen when a utility tab is selected. It is a flowchart which shows a document creation process. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a printing result when a code image embedded in a document is printed as it is. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a printing result when a code image embedded in a document is replaced with a predetermined character string and printed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing system, 100 ... Printer, 110 ... Print execution part, 200.
..Information processing device 210 ... Application 220 ... Printer driver 2
21... Setting unit 222. Code image generation unit 223 Print data generation unit 3
00 ... setting screen, 350 ... code image creation button, 360 ... display character string field,
400 ... setting information, 410 ... setting item, 420 ... setting value, 500 ... code image.

Claims (6)

A printer driver for controlling the printer,
Means for receiving an instruction to generate an image in which setting information of the printer driver is embedded;
Means for generating image data in which setting information of the printer driver is embedded when the generation instruction is received;
Means for storing the generated image data;
A printer driver comprising: The printer driver according to claim 1,
Means for obtaining the document from an application for creating a document to be printed;
Means for identifying image data in which the setting information of the printer driver is embedded from the document;
Means for acquiring setting information of the printer driver from the identified image data;
Print execution means for executing printing of the document by the printer according to the content of the acquired setting information;
A printer driver comprising: A printer driver for controlling the printer,
Means for obtaining the document from an application for creating a document to be printed;
Means for identifying image data in which the setting information of the printer driver is embedded from the document;
Means for acquiring setting information of the printer driver from the identified image data;
Print execution means for executing printing of the document by the printer according to the content of the acquired setting information;
A printer driver comprising: A printer driver according to claim 2 or 3,
The print execution means includes
According to the content of the acquired setting information, print the document in which the image data is output as it is.
A printer driver characterized by that. A printer driver according to claim 2 or 3,
The print execution means includes
Printing the document in which a predetermined character string is output instead of the image data in accordance with the content of the acquired setting information;
A printer driver characterized by that. A printer driver according to claim 2 or 3,
The print execution means includes
Printing the document in which the image data is not output according to the content of the acquired setting information;
A printer driver characterized by that.

Images