JP2010198419A - Data file management program, and computer for executing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new data file management program for enabling a user to facilitate selecting print setting suitable for a print object data file, and to facilitate printing based on the selected print setting, and to provide a computer for executing the data file management program. <P>SOLUTION: While a data file management picture 700 including print object file data and print setting names 732a to c, d of print setting associated with the extenders of print object data files is displayed on a monitor, when a user operates a cursor 750, and drags and drops one print object file to a region including the print setting names 732a to c, d, a virtual printer including print setting values represented by the print setting names 732a to c, d is registered as a default virtual printer to be preferentially used by an OS. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to management of a data file printable by a printing apparatus by a computer.

  For example, it is created by application software (hereinafter also simply referred to as “application”) that operates on basic software (Operating System / hereinafter also referred to as “OS”) installed in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”). The printed data file may be printed. In this case, printing is performed in various modes. In order to execute such various types of printing, it is necessary to make print settings corresponding to the printing. In this regard, many configurations (techniques) have been conventionally proposed. For example, the extension is acquired from the file to be printed, and whether the extension is listed on the print setting table is searched. If it is listed, the setting is set by the print setting corresponding to the extension on the print setting table. A technique has been proposed in which settings are made according to the default print settings when they are not listed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-66850 A

  By the way, it is required to have a configuration capable of managing various data files and obtaining the desired printing result without complicated operations by the user when these managed data files are printed. Has been.

  The present invention provides a new data file management program and a data file management program capable of easily selecting a print setting suitable for a data file to be printed and capable of easily performing printing with the selected print setting. An object is to provide a computer for execution.

  The present invention made in view of the above problems displays identification information that can identify a data file that can be printed by a printing apparatus on a monitor, and when the user selects one identification information according to the display, one identification is performed. The print setting associated with the data format of the data file identified by the information is specified, and the one identification information and the print setting information representing the print setting value included in the specified print setting are displayed on the monitor. That's what it meant.

  Further, according to the present invention, when one identification information and print setting information are displayed on the monitor, when the user drags one identification information and drops it on one print setting information through the operation unit, The virtual printing device in which one print setting including the print setting value represented by the print setting information is specified is registered in the basic software as a default virtual printing device to be used preferentially.

  A first problem-solving means reflecting the present invention is a computer-readable data file management program for displaying identification information for identifying a data file printable by a printing device on a monitor, the computer comprising: An association means for associating a print setting for printing the data file with the printing apparatus and a data format of the data file, and a user identifying one according to the display of the identification information on the monitor When the information is selected via the operation unit constituting the computer, the specifying unit for specifying the print setting associated with the data format of the data file identified by the one identification information, the one identification information, Print setting information representing a print setting value included in the print setting specified by the specifying unit is displayed on the monitor. Display control means, and the user drags the one identification information via the operation unit in a state where the one identification information and the print setting information are displayed on the monitor by the display control means. When dropped in one print setting information, one print setting including a print setting value represented by the one print setting information is designated and can be used by application software operating on basic software installed in the computer This is a data file management program for causing a virtual printing apparatus to function as a registration means for registering in the basic software as a default virtual printing apparatus used preferentially.

  According to this, in accordance with the data format of the data file selected by the user, the print setting information indicating the print setting value included in the print setting associated with the data format is dropped, and the identification information that can identify the data file is dropped. It can be displayed on the monitor in a ready state. In response to this display, when one piece of identification information is dropped on one piece of print setting information, a virtual printing device in which one print setting including a print setting value represented by one piece of print setting information is designated, It can be registered in the basic software as a default virtual printing device used preferentially.

  A second problem solving means is a data file management program of the first problem solving means, wherein the computer is configured so that the one identification information and the print setting information are displayed on the monitor by the display control means. In order to open one data file identified by the one identification information when the one identification information is dragged and dropped to the one print setting information via the operation unit in the state displayed in FIG. In addition, according to a command by the application activation unit that activates the application software for the one data file and the application software activated by the application activation unit, the printing process of the one data file to the printing device includes: In the computer, the temporary registered by the registration means When it is executed with another print setting different from the one print setting designated in the printing apparatus, it functions as the associating means for associating the data format of the one data file with the other print setting. It is characterized by.

  According to this, it is possible to increase the number of available virtual printing apparatuses, and it is possible to prevent the association of duplicate print settings with the data format of one data file.

  A third problem solving means is a data file management program according to the first or second problem solving means, wherein the computer includes the print setting included in the print setting for printing the data file with the printing apparatus. A comparison unit that compares a value with a print setting value included in a reference print setting registered in the basic software, and a print setting that represents the print setting value that is determined to be different by the comparison unit in the monitor It functions as the display control means for displaying information.

  According to this, on the basis of the print setting information displayed on the monitor, the user who visually recognizes the print setting value changes from the print setting value included in the reference print setting. It can be judged whether there is.

  In the first to third problem solving means, the data file management program may be constituted by a plurality of computer program modules in addition to the case where the data file management program is constituted as a single computer program.

  The fourth problem solving means includes a storage unit storing any one of the first to third problem solving means, a control unit that reads and executes the data file management program from the storage unit, And a computer characterized by comprising: According to this, it can be set as the computer which can implement | achieve the said specific function.

  According to the present invention, a new data file management program that allows a user to easily select print settings suitable for a data file to be printed, and that can easily perform printing using the selected print settings, and the data file management. A computer that executes the program can be obtained.

The figure which shows the functional block of each apparatus which comprises the printing system and printing system in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the print setting information table in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the printing information in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the print setting name table in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the file selection process (1st process form) in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the data file management screen in embodiment of this invention (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the data file management screen in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the file drop process in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the print job monitoring process in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the print setting name production | generation process in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the flow of the file selection process (2nd processing form) in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the data file management screen (2nd processing form) in embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments for implementing the above problem solving means reflecting the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea. For example, in each process described below, a predetermined process step can be omitted.

(System configuration)
FIG. 1 shows a printing system. In FIG. 1, two printing systems are constructed. That is, one of them is a printing system constituted by the printer 100 and the personal computer 200, and both are connected so that data can be transmitted and received by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 500 (hereinafter, this connection form is also referred to as “USB connection”). Say.) In addition to USB connection, for example, infrared communication or wireless USB (Wireless USB) may be used. The other one is a printing system including a printer 100 and a personal computer 300, and these apparatuses are connected to each other via a wired LAN (Local Area Network) cable 600 so that data can be transmitted and received. In addition to the wired LAN, for example, a wireless LAN in an infrastructure mode can be used.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each apparatus will be described. First, the printer 100 will be described. The printer 100 controls the apparatus itself, and executes a control process 110 including a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM as a work area, and various programs and various types for executing various processes. And a storage unit 120 capable of storing data. The storage unit 120 is configured by, for example, a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). Here, the CPU constituting the control unit 110 executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 120, whereby various processes are executed. At that time, various data, for example, data stored in the storage unit 120 is input and held in the RAM. The CPU accesses the RAM to execute processing using these data. Therefore, various processes are executed by the CPU executing various programs stored in the ROM or the like on the RAM, thereby configuring various functional units.

  The printer 100 also includes a printing unit 130 that prints print data, a display unit 140 that displays various types of information, and an operation unit 150 that implements a function as a data input interface. Note that the operation unit 150 includes, for example, a direction key, a numeric keyboard capable of inputting characters, a confirmation button, and the like. Further, the printer 100 includes a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB I / F”) 160 that is an interface for USB connection, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) that is an interface for connection to the LAN 600. 170). Note that print data is received via these interfaces, and various data are transmitted and received.

  Next, the personal computer 200 will be described. The personal computer 200 controls the device itself, and includes a control unit 210 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and a storage unit 220. The storage unit 220 is configured with, for example, a hard disk. The storage unit 220 stores an OS 2202, a printer setting program 2204 for executing processing to be described later, and a print job monitoring program 2206. The storage unit 220 also stores a print setting information table 2208, a setting information file 2210, print information 2212, and a print setting name table 2214. Furthermore, the storage unit 220 stores an application 2216, a printer driver 2218, a print target file (data file) 2220, and the like. Examples of the OS 2202 include Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.

  The CPU that configures the control unit 210 stores data in the ROM using, for example, data input via the operation unit 240, various tables 2208, 2212, 2214 and various files 2210, 2220 stored in the storage unit 220. Various processes are executed by executing the stored programs and various programs 2202, 2204, 2206, 2216, 2218, etc. stored in the storage unit 220 on the RAM, thereby configuring various functional units. . Details will be described later.

  The personal computer 200 includes a monitor 230 for displaying various information, a keyboard and a mouse, an operation unit 240 for realizing a function as an input interface for various data used for program execution, a USB I / F 250, a network, and the like. I / F260. The personal computer 200 includes a network I / F 260, but is not connected to the LAN 600 in the configuration of FIG.

  The personal computer 300 has the same configuration as the personal computer 200. The personal computer 300 is connected to the LAN 600 via the network I / F 260, but is not connected via the USB I / F 250.

  FIG. 2 shows a print setting information table. The print setting information table 2208 is stored for each printer driver 2218 stored (installed / installed) in the storage unit 220. For example, if a printer driver 2218 of a printer or multifunction peripheral (a device having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, etc.) that is not drawn in FIG. 1 is installed, the corresponding print setting information table 2208 is stored in the storage unit 220.

  In the print setting information table 2208, reference settings (print setting name: normal printing) when the printer driver 2218 is installed in the storage unit 220 and print settings registered in association with each extension are registered. Yes. For example, “.aaa”, which is an extension of a print target file 2220 (including character data) created by an application 2216 such as word processing software, includes a print setting name (print setting information) “double-sided printing” and a print setting. The name “2in1 printing (printing 2 pages of data on one side of recording paper)” and the print setting name “4in1 printing (printing 4 pages of data on one side of recording paper)” are registered in association with each other. Yes. Each print setting associated with the reference setting and the extension “.aaa” includes a setting information file 2210 (specifically, a path where the corresponding setting information file 2210 is stored (location in the path / storage unit 220). Is registered in association with each other. Further, the usage frequency is further registered in association with each print setting associated with the extension “.aaa” (not registered in the reference setting (print setting name “normal printing”)).

  Here, the setting information file 2210 includes, for example, those relating to the double-sided printing function, layout function, and print mode function as print setting values (the description of other functions is omitted). For example, the setting information file 2210 associated with the print setting name “normal printing” (reference setting), more specifically, the setting information file 2210 “stored in the path associated with the print setting name“ normal printing ”. “PRINTER-100_000” includes “single-sided printing” as a print setting value, a layout “one page (1in1)”, and a print mode “document”. The setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_001” associated with the print setting name “double-sided printing” includes “double-sided printing”, layout “one page”, and print mode “text” as print setting values. . The setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_002” associated with the print setting name “2in1” includes “single-sided printing” as a print setting value, layout “2 pages (indicating 2in1)”, and print mode “document”. including. The setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_003” associated with the print setting name “4in1” includes “single-sided printing” as a print setting value, layout “4 pages (indicating 4in1)”, and print mode “document”. including.

  Further, the print setting name “photo” is registered in association with the extension “.bbb” of the print target file 2220 which is image data (for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) data). In the print setting name “photo”, as described above, the setting information file 2210 (pass) and the usage frequency are registered in association with each other. The setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_004” includes “one-sided printing”, a layout “one page”, and a printing mode “photo” as print setting values.

  Further, in the extension “.ccc” of the print target file 2220 created by the application 2216 for presentation, the same print setting name “2in1 print” and print setting name “4in1 print” as the extension “.aaa” are displayed. Are registered in association with each other. The details of these settings are as described above and will not be repeated. Here, the use frequency indicates the number of times of printing by the print setting associated with the use frequency. Details of the usage frequency will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows print information. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the print information 2212 is a table in which the print target file 2220 and the setting information file 2210 are registered in association with each other. For example, in the print information 2212, a print target file 2220 “Report 01.aaa” created by an application 2216 such as word processing software and a setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_001” are registered in association with each other. Details of the print information 2212 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows a print setting name table. The print setting name table 2214 is a table in which print setting setting items (function names), specific print setting values set in the setting items, and print setting names corresponding to the print setting values are registered in association with each other. is there. For example, the print setting value “duplex printing” set in the duplex printing function is registered in association with the print setting name “duplex printing”. For example, the print setting name in the print setting name table 2214 corresponds to the print setting name in the print setting information table 2208 in FIG. When the print setting values are “one-sided printing”, “1in1 printing”, and “document”, the print setting names corresponding to these are not registered. This is based on the print setting value included in the reference setting (print setting name: normal printing) when the printer driver 2218 is installed in the storage unit 220. That is, in the print setting name generation process (see FIG. 10), the print setting name is determined based on the print setting value different from the print setting value included in the reference setting. Details will be described later.

  Hereinafter, two processing modes executed by the control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300 will be described.

(First processing form)
(File selection process)
FIG. 5 shows a flow of file selection processing. This is done by starting and executing the printer setting program 2204 by the control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300. Note that when the user instructs activation of the printer setting program 2204 via the operation unit 240, the control unit 210 activates the printer setting program 2204. The control unit 210 that has activated the printer setting program 2204 first displays the data file management screen 700 on the monitor 230 (see FIG. 6; however, immediately after the display, the printer selection box 740 is not input). Here, the data file management screen 700 includes a folder display area 710, a file display area 720, a printer icon display area 730, and a printer selection box 740.

  The folder display area 710 is an area for displaying the hierarchical structure of folders (directories) in the storage unit 220. When one of the folders displayed in the folder display area 710 is selected by a cursor 750 linked to the operation unit 240, the file display area 720 is a print target file 2220 (print target) stored in the selected folder. This is an area for displaying identification information for identifying the file 2220 (for example, file name). FIG. 6 shows a mode in which the folder name “Report” displayed in the folder display area 710 is selected.

  The printer icon display area 730 is associated with the extension of the selected print target file 2220 when one of the print target files 2220 displayed in the file display area 720 is selected by a user operation via the operation unit 240. An area in which a printer icon 734 (see FIG. 7A) to which a print setting name of the registered print setting (see the print setting information table 2208 in FIG. 4) 732 (see FIG. 7A) is assigned is displayed. is there. Although details will be described later, since the print target file 2220 is not selected in FIG. 6, the printer icon 734 assigned the print setting name 732 is not displayed in the printer icon display area 730.

  The printer selection box 740 is an area for selecting a printer driver 2218 for controlling a printer used for printing the print target file 2220, specifically, a printer used for printing the print target file 2220. The printer selection box 740 has a so-called pull-down menu type configuration. By selecting a predetermined area (on the right side of the printer selection box 740) with the cursor 750, a list of printer names corresponding to the printer drivers 2218 stored in the storage unit 220 is displayed. The user selects one of the printers with a cursor 750 linked to the operation unit 240. FIG. 6 shows a state where the printer name “PRINTER-100” indicating the printer 100 is selected.

  After the data file management screen 700 is displayed on the monitor 230, when the user operates the operation unit 240 and selects, for example, a printer name indicating the printer 100 in the printer selection box 740, the control unit 210 displays the printer of the printer 100. The name of the driver 2218 is acquired (S100). Then, the control unit 210 determines whether any one of the print target files 2220 displayed in the file display area 720 is selected by the cursor 750 by operating the operation unit 240 (S102). If no print target file 2220 is selected as a result of the determination (S102: No), the control unit 210 returns the process to S100, while any print target file 2220 is selected (S102: Yes). ), The process proceeds to S104.

  In step S104, the control unit 210 determines whether there is a print setting information table 2208 corresponding to the name of the printer driver 2218 acquired in step S100, that is, the print setting information table 2208 corresponding to the name of the printer driver 2218 acquired in step S100. It is determined whether or not it is stored in the storage unit 220. When a predetermined print setting information table 2208 is deleted due to an erroneous operation via the operation unit 240 or the like, or a user directly inputs a printer name that is not stored in the storage unit 220 via the operation unit 240. If so, the determination in S104 is negative (No).

  As a result of the determination in S104, if there is no print setting information table 2208 (hereinafter also referred to as “target print setting information table 2208”) for which the determination in S104 is affirmed in the storage unit 220 (S104: No), control is performed. The unit 210 moves the process to S110. On the other hand, when the target print setting information table 2208 exists in the storage unit 220 (S104: Yes), the control unit 210 sets the extension of the print target file 2220 selected in S102 as the target print setting. It is determined whether it is registered in the information table 2208 (S106). If the extension is not registered in the target print setting information table 2208 as a result of the determination (S106: No), the control unit 210 moves the process to S110.

  In contrast, if the extension is registered in the target print setting information table 2208 as a result of the determination in S106 (S106: Yes), the control unit 210 stores the print selected in S102 in the print setting information table 2208. From the print settings registered in association with the extension of the target file 2220, the printer icon 734 to which the print setting name 732 of each print setting is assigned in the descending order of use is displayed in the printer icon display area 730. . For example, when the file name “Report 01.aaa” displayed in the file display area 720 is selected with the cursor 750 (S102: Yes), the print setting name “ Printer icon 734a (usage frequency: 3 times) to which “duplex printing” 732a is assigned, printer icon 734b (usage frequency: 2 times) to which print setting name “2in1 printing” 732b is assigned, and print setting name “4in1 printing” 732c Is displayed on the printer icon 734c (frequency of use: once) (see FIG. 7A). If the file name “photo 01.bbb” is displayed in the file display area 720, for example, and the file name “photo 01.bbb” is selected (S102: Yes), the printer icon display area 730 is displayed. Only the printer icon 734 assigned the print setting name “photo” 732 is displayed. This is because the print setting registered in association with the extension “.bbb” is only the print setting name “photo” (see FIG. 2).

  In S110, the control unit 210 changes the printer icon 734d to which the setting value name “normal printing” 732d is assigned based on the setting value name “normal printing” registered in the print setting information table 2208 (see FIG. 4) to the printer icon. They are displayed in the display area 730 (see FIG. 7B). In the data file management screen 700 shown in FIG. 7B, for example, the file name “route 01.zzz” displayed in the file display area 720 is selected by the cursor 750, and the determination in S106 is denied. It is a data file management screen displayed in (S106: No). When S104 is denied (S104: No), the same message as in FIG. 7B is displayed.

  After executing S108 or S110, the control unit 210 ends the file selection process.

(File drop processing)
FIG. 8 shows a flow of file drop processing. In this process, the control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300 executes the file selection process shown in FIG. 5, and the data file management screen 700 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) is displayed on the monitor 230. Executed. The control unit 210 executes this process based on the printer setting program 2204. First, the control unit 210 that has started this process first prints a file 2220 identified by a predetermined file name displayed in the file display area 720 (specifically, an icon representing the file 2220 to which the file name is assigned). ) Is dragged by a user operation via the operation unit 240 and then displayed in the printer icon display area 730, a predetermined area including one print setting name 732 and the printer icon 734 (hereinafter referred to as “printer”). It is determined whether or not it has been dropped on the icon region (S200).

  If it is determined that the print target file 2220 has not been dropped (S200: No), the control unit 210 waits until it is dropped. On the other hand, when the print target file 2220 is dropped on the printer icon area (S200: Yes), the control unit 210 moves the process to S202. Specifically, for example, the file name “Report 01.aaa” displayed in the file display area 720 is dragged with the cursor 750, and the printer icon 734a (print setting) to which the print setting name “duplex printing” 732a is assigned. When it is dropped at the name “duplex printing” 732a and the printer icon area including the printer icon 734a (see the drawing arrow in FIG. 7A), the control unit 210 affirms the determination of S200 (S200: Yes). .

  In step S202, the control unit 210 registers the printer name registered in the OS 2202 as a default printer (usually used printer) that is used preferentially, more specifically, registered in the OS 2202 as a default virtual printer that is used preferentially. The virtual printer name is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 220, for example. Then, the control unit 210 uses the printer setting information of the printer 100 selected in the printer selection box 740 (see, for example, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) to set the used port setting value used by the selected printer 100 to the control unit 210. Obtained on the RAM to be configured (read / S204). Here, the printer setting information is a database (for example, a registry) in which settings of the printer driver 2218 of the printer 100 selected in the printer selection box 740 are registered. In this database, for example, settings of the OS 2202 are also registered.

  The control unit 210 associates the print target file 2220 with the print setting name of the printer icon area to which the print target file 2220 is dropped, and sets the corresponding setting information file 2210 according to the path of the setting information file 2210 registered in the print setting information table 2208. Is acquired from the storage unit 220 on the RAM (reading / S206). The control unit 210 that has executed S204 and S206 creates a virtual printer based on the used port setting value and the setting information file 2210 acquired in both steps (S208), and the created virtual printer is preferentially used as a default. Is registered in the OS 2202 as a printer (virtual printer) (S210). Note that the virtual printer created in S208 includes, for example, use port setting values, double-sided printing functions, layout functions, and print setting values related to print mode functions.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 activates a predetermined application 2216 associated with the dragged and dropped print target file 2220 and opens the print target file 2220 (S212). The print target file 2220, specifically, the correspondence between the extension of the print target file 2220 and the application 2216 is registered in the printer setting information (database) used in S204. The control unit 210 identifies the application 2216 to be activated based on the printer setting information. Note that the virtual printer registered in S210 can be used by the application 2216 activated in S212.

  After starting the predetermined application 2216 in S212, the control unit 210 stores the print information 2212 in the storage unit 220 (S214). For example, when the file name “Report 01.aaa” is dragged with the cursor 750 and dropped by the printer icon 734a with the print setting name “duplex printing” 732a (see the drawing arrow in FIG. 7A). ), Print information shown in FIG. 3 is created and stored. After storing the print information 2212, the control unit 210 reads the print job monitoring program 2206 from the storage unit 220 and activates it (S216). Then, the control unit 210 ends this process.

(Print job monitoring process)
FIG. 9 shows a flow of print job monitoring processing. This process is started in S216 of the file drop process shown in FIG. The control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300 that has started this process first inputs a print instruction for the opened print target file 2220 via the operation unit 240 in the application 2216 activated in S212 of FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the printing process based on the input print instruction has been started (S300). Here, the control unit 210 determines that the printing process is started on the condition that a print job created based on the application 2216 is registered in the printer queue realized by the OS 2202. As a result of the determination, if the printing process has not been started (S300: No), the control unit 210 waits until a printing instruction is input.

  On the other hand, when the printing process is started (S300: Yes), the control unit 210 acquires printer driver setting information included in the print job. Here, the printer driver setting information is a specific print setting value included in the print job, and when the user inputs a print instruction based on the virtual printer registered in S210 of the file drop process of FIG. The set value remains registered. When inputting the print instruction, the operation unit 240 is operated to call the setting screen of the printer driver 2218 from the application 2216. When the print setting value is changed based on the called setting screen, the setting value is changed. The same applies to a case where a print instruction based on another virtual printer registered in advance in the OS 2202 is input. Note that the print job includes a document name that is the name of the print target file 2220 included in the print job by the application 2216 (the print target file 2220 opened in S212 in FIG. 8). The control unit 210 can also acquire the document name.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 acquires the extension (extension name) of the print target file 2220 that is the target of the print processing from the print information 2212 stored in S214 of FIG. 8 (S304). Note that a document name included in a print job created based on the application 2216 may be changed to a unique name by the application 2216. Therefore, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the print information 2212 is stored in S214 of FIG. 8, and the extension of the print target file 2220 used in the subsequent processing is acquired from the print information 2212.

  After executing S304, the control unit 210 determines whether the printing process is completed (S306). Specifically, the control unit 210 processes a print job created based on the application 2216 based on the printer driver 2218, and print data based on this processing is connected to the printer 100 (in the case of the personal computer 200). In the case of the USB I / F 250 and the personal computer 300, it is determined whether or not the data is transmitted to the printer 100 from the network I / F 260). Here, the control unit 210 monitors the printer queue in which the current print job is registered, and determines that the print data has been transmitted when it is output from the printer queue. Note that the printer 100 receives the print data transmitted from the personal computer 200 via the USB I / F 250 and prints it using the printing unit 130. Further, the printer 100 receives the print data transmitted from the personal computer 300 via the network I / F 170 and prints it using the printing unit 130. As a result, the print target file 2220 is printed by the printer 100 in accordance with the printer driver setting information. As a result of the determination, if the printing process has not ended (S306: No), the control unit 210 waits until the printing process ends.

  On the other hand, when the printing process is completed (S306: Yes), the control unit 210 prints each print setting value included in the virtual printer registered in the OS 2202 as the default printer used preferentially in S210 of FIG. Is determined in this printing process (S308). Specifically, the control unit 210 compares each print setting value constituting the printer driver setting information acquired in S302 with each print setting value included in the virtual printer registered in S210 in FIG. It is determined whether a print setting value to be present exists. For example, as described above, when the user calls the setting screen of the printer driver 2218 from the application 2216 and changes a predetermined print setting value, the control unit 210 determines that the print setting value has been changed.

  As a result of the determination in S308, if the print setting value has not been changed (S308: No), the control unit 210 moves the process to S312. On the other hand, when the print setting value is changed (S308: Yes), the control unit 210 sets the setting information file 2210 including each print setting value included in the printer driver setting information acquired in S302 to the print setting information table 2208. It is determined whether it is registered in (S310). Note that the control unit 210 makes a determination in S310 for each setting information file 2210 of each print setting associated with the extension acquired in S304. If the determination in S310 is affirmative (S310: Yes), the control unit 210 proceeds to S312. If the determination in S310 is negative (S310: No), the process proceeds to S314.

  In step S <b> 312, the control unit 210 increments the print setting usage frequency count associated with the setting information file 2210 including the print setting values constituting the printer driver setting information by “+1”. The use frequency is referred to when the printer icon 734 to which the print setting name 732 is assigned is displayed in the printer icon display area 730 of the data file management screen 700 (see, for example, FIG. 7A). After executing S310, the control unit 210 moves the process to S320.

  In step S314, the control unit 210 executes print setting name generation processing. The print setting name generation process will be described later. The control unit 210 that has generated the print setting name based on the execution of S314 newly creates a setting information file 2210 including each print setting value constituting the printer driver setting information acquired in S302, and the created setting information file 2210. Is stored in a predetermined folder for storing the setting information file 2210 in the storage unit 220 (S316). Then, the control unit 210 additionally registers a new print setting in association with the extension acquired in S304 (S318). At this time, the print setting name generated in S314 and the setting information file 2210 stored in S316 (the stored path indicating the location) are registered in association with the print setting. Also, the usage frequency is registered as “1”. Thereafter, the control unit 210 moves the process to S320.

  In S320, the control unit 210 creates a default virtual printer (usually used printer) to be used preferentially from the printer created in S208 in FIG. 8 and registered in S210, the printer having the printer name stored in S202 in FIG. Specifically, the virtual printer is returned to the virtual printer name. Then, the control unit 210 deletes the virtual printer registered in S210 of FIG. 8 from the OS 2202 (S322). Thereby, the setting of the OS 2202 can be returned to the state before the start of the file drop process of FIG. Thereafter, the control unit 210 ends this process.

(Print setting name generation process)
FIG. 10 shows a flow of print setting name generation processing. This process is started in S314 of the print job monitoring process shown in FIG. The control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300 executes this processing based on the print job monitoring program 2206. The control unit 210 that has started this process first compares each print setting value constituting the printer driver setting information acquired in S302 of FIG. 9 with each print setting value included in the reference setting (S400). . Here, the reference setting is a setting when the printer driver 2218 is installed in the storage unit 220 as described above. In other words, the reference setting is a setting including each print setting value included in the setting information file 2210 “PRINTER-100_000” stored in the path associated with the print setting name “normal printing”. Note that step S400 is performed by comparing the print setting values of the same setting item (see the setting item in FIG. 4).

  Then, as a result of the comparison in S400, the control unit 210 determines whether or not both print setting values to be compared are different (S402). As a result of the determination, when there is no difference (S402: No), the control unit 210 moves the process to S408. On the other hand, if they are different (S402: Yes), the controller 210 determines whether or not the different print setting values are registered in the print setting name table 2214 shown in FIG. 4 (S404). If it is not registered in the print setting name table 2214 (S404: No), the control unit 210 moves the process to S408.

  As a result of the determination in S404, if a different print setting value is registered in the print setting name table 2214 (S404: Yes), the control unit 210 associates the print setting name table 2214 with a different print setting value name. The registered print setting name is stored in the print setting name display buffer secured on the RAM (S406). The print setting name stored in the print setting name display buffer is registered as the print setting name in the print setting information table in S318 of FIG.

  After executing S404, for each setting item, the control unit 210 has compared all the print setting values constituting the printer setting information acquired in S302 of FIG. 9 with all the print setting values included in the reference setting. Is determined (S406). As a result of the determination, when not all the print setting values for each setting item are compared (S406: No), the control unit 210 sequentially compares the print setting values that are not compared. On the other hand, when all are compared (S406: Yes), the control part 210 complete | finishes this process, and transfers a process to S316 of FIG.

  In the above description, the double-sided printing function, the layout function, and the printing mode function are taken as an example of the print setting setting items, and the print setting values relating to these, specifically, “double-sided printing”, “2in1 printing”, and “photograph” ”Etc. as an example. Here, all of these setting items and print setting values are registered in the print setting name table 2214 shown in FIG. 4, and based on only these, there is no case where the determination in S404 is negative (S404: No). . However, actually, the setting items are included in addition to those illustrated, and the print setting values are set in the other setting items. Therefore, if the print setting value relating to such a setting item is determined based on the print setting name table 2214 in FIG. 4, the determination in S404 is denied.

  If the print setting values constituting the printer driver setting information are, for example, “double-sided printing”, “2in1 printing” and “photograph”, in S406, “double-sided printing” and “2in1 printing” are based on FIG. "And" Photo "are stored. In this case, the control unit 210 additionally registers the print setting name in the print setting information table 2208 such as “double-sided printing, 2in1 printing, photo” (see S318 in FIG. 9).

(Second processing mode)
Next, the second processing mode will be described. In the first processing mode, on the condition that the print target file 2220 displayed in the file display area 720 of the data file management screen 700 is selected in the file selection process shown in FIG. 5 (S102: Yes in FIG. 5), A configuration is adopted in which a printer icon 734 assigned a print setting name 732 is displayed in the printer icon display area 730 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The second processing form is different from the first processing form in this point, and adopts the same configuration as the first processing form in other points. Therefore, in the following description, only the file selection processing in the second processing form will be described, and other file drop processing (see FIG. 8), print job monitoring processing (see FIG. 9), and print setting name generation processing (see FIG. 8). The description of (see FIG. 10) is omitted.

(File selection process)
FIG. 11 shows a flow of file selection processing. The control unit 210 of the personal computers 200 and 300 starts up and executes this processing based on the printer setting program 2204, and is the same as in the first processing mode. The control unit 210 that has activated the printer setting program 2204 first displays the data file management screen 700 on the monitor 230 (see FIG. 6; however, immediately after the display, the printer selection box 740 is not input), and executes the process of S500. To do. Here, S500 is the same processing as S100 of FIG. 5, and the description thereof is omitted.

  After executing S500, the control unit 210 determines whether the print setting information table 2208 corresponding to the name of the printer driver 2218 acquired in S500 exists, in other words, whether the print setting information table 2208 is stored in the storage unit 220. (S502). As a result of the determination, if the target print setting information table 2208 does not exist in the storage unit 220 (S502: No), the control unit 210 prints the print setting name “normal print” registered in the print setting information table 2208 (see FIG. 2). The printer icon 734d to which the print setting name “normal print” 732d is assigned is displayed in the printer icon display area 730 (see S504 / FIG. 7B).

  If it is determined in step S502 that the target print setting information table 2208 exists in the storage unit 220 (S502: Yes), the control unit 210 prints all print settings registered in the print setting information table 2208. Each printer icon 734 to which each setting name 732 is assigned is displayed in the printer icon display area 730 (S506). Referring to FIG. 2, the control unit 210 includes four printer icon display areas 730 with print setting names “duplex printing” 732a, “2in1 printing” 732b, “4in1 printing” 732c, and “photograph” 732e, respectively. Printer icons 734a-c, e are displayed (see FIG. 12).

  After executing S506, the control unit 210 determines whether any one of the print target files 2220 displayed in the file display area 720 of the data file management screen 700 has been selected by a user operation via the operation unit 240. (S508). If no print target file 2220 is selected as a result of the determination (S508: No), the control unit 210 waits until the print target file 2220 is selected. On the other hand, when any one of the print target files 2220 is selected (S508: Yes), the control unit 210 registers the extension of the print target file 2220 selected in S508 in the target print setting information table 2208. It is determined whether or not (S510).

  If the extension is registered in the target print setting information table 2208 as a result of the determination (S510: Yes), the control unit 210 sets the print setting in association with the extension of the print target file 2220 selected in S508. The print setting name 732 and the printer icon 734 other than the printer icon 734 assigned the print setting name 732 of the print setting registered in the information table 2208 are deleted from the printer icon display area 730. For example, when the file name “report 01.aaa” displayed in the file display area 720 is selected with the cursor 750 (S508: Yes), the print setting name “not associated with the extension“ .aaa ”“ The printer icon 734e to which “Photo” 732e (see FIG. 2) is assigned is deleted from the printer icon display area 730. As a result, the data file management screen 700 shown in FIG.

  The control unit 210 ends this process when S504 or S512 is executed and when the determination in S510 is negative (S510: No).

(Modification)
The configuration of the present embodiment described above can also be configured as follows.

  (1) In the above, the file selection process in FIG. 5 and the file drop process in FIG. 8 are executed based on the printer setting program 2204, and the print job monitoring process in FIG. 9 and the print setting name in FIG. 10 are based on the print job monitoring program 2206. The description has been given based on the configuration in which the generation process is executed. In addition to such a configuration, for example, the file selection process in FIG. 5 and the file drop process in FIG. 8 respectively, or the print job monitoring process in FIG. 9 and the print setting name generation process in FIG. A configuration executed by a dedicated computer program can also be employed. Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration that is executed by one computer program including the above-described four processing program modules.

  (2) In the above, a mode in which the print setting name 732 and the printer icon 734 are combined, that is, the printer icon 734 to which the print setting name 732 is assigned is displayed in the printer icon display area 730 of the data file management screen 700. The description is based on the configuration (for example, see FIGS. 6 and 7). However, other configurations are possible. For example, only the print setting name 732 can be displayed in the printer icon display area 730.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 200,300 PC 210 Control part 220 Storage part 2202 OS (basic software)
2204 Printer Setting Program 2206 Print Job Monitoring Program 2208 Print Setting Information Table 2216 Application 2220 Print Target File 230 Monitor 240 Operation Unit 700 Data File Management Screen 732, 732a-d Print Setting Name

Claims (4)

A computer-readable data file management program for displaying identification information for identifying a data file printable on a printing device on a monitor,
The computer,
Association means for associating a print setting for printing the data file with the printing device and a data format of the data file;
When the user selects one piece of identification information via the operation unit constituting the computer in response to the display of the piece of identification information on the monitor, the data format of the data file identified by the one piece of identification information is changed. Identifying means for identifying the associated print settings;
Display control means for displaying on the monitor the one identification information and print setting information representing a print setting value included in the print setting specified by the specifying means;
In a state where the one identification information and the print setting information are displayed on the monitor by the display control means, the user drags the one identification information through the operation unit, and the one print setting information. A virtual printing apparatus that is designated by one print setting including a print setting value represented by the one print setting information and that can be used by application software that operates on basic software installed in the computer. A data file management program for causing a default virtual printing apparatus to be used preferentially to function as a registration means for registering in the basic software. The computer,
While the one identification information and the print setting information are displayed on the monitor by the display control unit, the user drags the one identification information via the operation unit and the one print setting. Application dropping means for starting application software for the one data file to open the one data file identified by the one identification information when dropped in the information;
In accordance with a command from the application software activated by the application activation unit, the printing process of the one data file to the printing device is designated by the virtual printing device registered by the registration unit by the computer. 2. The data according to claim 1, wherein when executed with another print setting different from the print setting, the data as described above is made to function as the association unit that associates the data format of the one data file with the other print setting. File management program. The computer,
In the printing apparatus, a comparison unit that compares a print setting value included in a print setting for printing the data file with a print setting value included in a reference print setting registered in the basic software;
3. The data file management program according to claim 1, wherein the data file management program causes the monitor to function as the display control unit that displays the print setting information representing the print setting value determined to be different by the comparison unit. A storage unit storing the data file management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And a control unit that reads and executes the data file management program from the storage unit.