JP2011008317A - Print setting program, data structure, device and method for setting print - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a user when executing printing by using a set value group for a print setting item.SOLUTION: A set value group is for a print setting item. Then, a set value group, in which a hierarchical relation corresponding to the distribution object of a printed matter is defined, is obtained, and the set value group of an upper layer and the set value group of a lower layer with respect to the set value group of the upper layer are presented to a user to be identifiable based on the hierarchical relation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print setting program, a data structure, a print setting apparatus, and a print setting method.

  Patent Document 1 describes a method of defining a relationship (parent-child relationship) between data and performing a search by using the parent-child relationship regarding retrieval of data of an electronic form. Patent Document 2 describes that a user account parent-child relationship is set with respect to software user account management, and that the parent user is given more authority than the subordinate child user and that the parent-child relationship is displayed. Has been. Also, as a function provided by the printer driver program or the like, a set of setting values (setting value group) frequently used for print setting items is registered in advance as “favorites”, “shortcuts”, etc., and these setting value groups It is known that printing is performed using the set value group.

JP 2004-102894 A JP 2006-139522 A

  By the way, for example, when it is desired to print by changing only the number of prints without changing the setting values of the print setting items other than the number of prints, and when it is desired to frequently change only the number of prints and print, If the “favorite” and “shortcut” functions are used, the following methods can be considered. As an example, let us consider a case where printing is performed for the number of students in each class. One method is to prepare a set value group for each class in which only the set value for the number of copies is matched to the number of students in each class, and execute printing using the set value group corresponding to each class. . However, in this method, when it is desired to change a setting value such as color setting other than the number of copies, the setting value of the color setting must be changed for each set value group corresponding to each class. Another method is to register a set of set values and change the set value for the number of copies each time printing is performed. It must be changed to a number.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique capable of improving user-friendliness when executing printing using a set value group for print setting items. To do.

  A print setting program for achieving the above-mentioned object is a set value group acquisition function for acquiring the set value group for a print setting item, wherein the set value group for which a hierarchical relationship corresponding to the distribution destination of the printed matter is defined; Based on the hierarchical relationship, the setting value group presenting function for presenting the set value group in the upper layer and the set value group in the lower layer with respect to the set value group in the upper layer to the user in an identifiable manner is realized in a computer Let Rather than listing the set value groups in the same way, according to the present invention, since a plurality of set value groups are presented in a state of representing a hierarchical relationship, the user can Can understand that a hierarchical relationship is defined. Then, after grasping the hierarchical relationship, a set value group to be used for printing can be selected from a plurality of set value groups presented. Note that the hierarchical relationship may be defined by default, or may be registered by the user as will be described later.

  Here, the print setting item is an item for setting various parameters relating to printing execution, and includes various items such as the number of copies, color setting, and print medium size. The set value group means a set of set values set for each of these items. These set values can be registered using a printer driver program as a “favorite” function or a “shortcut” function.

  The distribution target of the printed material indicates a part (or all) of distribution destinations conceptually having a hierarchical structure. That is, the distribution target of the printed material is classified into groups by subdividing the distribution destination in stages (large-scale group, medium-scale group that subdivides the large-scale group, and further subdivides the medium-scale group. Meaning small groups). The set value group of the present invention corresponds to this individual group. Information representing the hierarchical relationship corresponding to the distribution target of the printed material is defined between the set value groups. For example, each set value group corresponding to the medium-scale group is associated with information indicating that the large-scale group is a group obtained by subdividing the large-scale group into the next larger scale. Each set value group corresponding to the small group is associated with information indicating that the medium group is a group obtained by subdividing the medium group into the next larger scale. Hereinafter, a group smaller than the certain group obtained by subdividing the certain group is referred to as a lower layer of the certain group (or a child of the certain group). A group that is smaller than the group obtained by subdividing a group is referred to as an upper layer (or parent). In the present invention, the setting value of the setting value group of the lower layer (also referred to as a child) has a relationship that depends on the setting value of the setting value group that becomes the upper layer (also referred to as the parent) in terms of the hierarchical relationship with the setting value group of the lower layer. . However, all the setting values constituting the setting value group may not depend on the setting values of the upper setting value group. That is, at least only the setting value of a specific print setting item may depend on the upper layer, and other print setting items may be independent of the upper layer. Further, it may be possible to select whether other items other than a specific print setting item depend on the upper layer.

  The method of presenting the set value group of the upper layer and the set value group of the lower layer relative to the set value group of the upper layer in an identifiable manner (a method of presenting the set value group in a state showing the hierarchical relationship) is the set value group of the upper layer As long as it can be shown that the set value group of the lower layer depends on the above, or that the set value group of the upper layer includes the set value group of the lower layer, any format may be used. For example, the identifier indicating the child setting value group is continuously arranged in the row of the identifier indicating the parent setting value group, and the indentation of the identifier indicating the child setting value group with respect to the identifier indicating the parent setting value group They may be presented in a so-called tree format. Further, for example, the figure indicating the set value group of the upper layer may be presented as a figure (for example, Venn diagram or the like) in which the figure indicating the set value group of the lower layer with respect to the set value group of the upper layer is included.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, a set value group registration function for accepting registration of hierarchical relationships may be provided. In this case, the set value group acquisition function acquires a set value group having a hierarchical relationship registered by the user. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire a hierarchical relationship between setting value groups defined and registered by the user. Then, based on the acquired hierarchical relationship, the set value group can be presented in a state where the hierarchical relationship is shown.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, a setting value change function for accepting a change in the setting value constituting the setting value group, and a change in the setting value of the setting value group in the upper layer, a setting value group in the lower layer relative to the setting value group in the upper layer Reflection selection function that accepts selection of whether or not to reflect the change, and if the change of the upper set value group is selected to be reflected in the lower set value group, the change of the upper set value group is A setting value reflecting function to be reflected in the set value group. In the setting value reflection function, if the change of the upper set value group is not reflected in the lower set value group, the change in the upper set value group is not reflected in the lower set value group. . According to this configuration, when the setting value of the upper layer setting value group is changed by selecting to reflect the change of the upper layer setting value group to the lower layer, the setting value of the lower layer setting value group corresponding to the setting value is also changed to the upper layer. It can be changed depending on the change of the set value group. On the other hand, if you do not want to reflect the change in the upper set value group in the lower set value group (you want to keep the settings in the lower set value group as they are), you can leave it off, which is convenient for the user. It is.

  When the above-mentioned print setting item includes an item for the number of copies, in addition to the above configuration, when the set value set for the number of copies in the lower set value group is increased or decreased by N (N is an integer) ), The set value reflecting function may increase / decrease the set value set in the number of copies in the upper set value group with respect to the set value group in the lower layer by N copies. In other words, for the item of the number of copies to be printed, the change in the setting value of the number of copies in the lower set value group is reflected in the setting value of the number of copies in the upper set value group. Therefore, the user does not need to manually change the number of upper-layer printed copies after manually changing the number of lower-layer printed copies.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, when an upper layer set value group is selected as a set value group to be applied to printing execution, the upper layer set value group is applied as it is, or printing is performed, or the upper layer set value group is applied. A use setting value selection function may be provided that accepts selection of whether to execute printing by applying a lower set value group to the set value group. According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained. For example, assume that three lower set value groups are defined for a certain upper set value group. If the user wants to execute printing for each of the three lower set value groups, the user selects the upper set value group and selects to apply the lower set value group, and executes the printing. The same print result as when printing is performed for each set value set of the above can be obtained. In other words, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to perform printing by selecting the set value groups of the three lower layers, thereby reducing the operation burden on the user. Also, according to this configuration, if the upper set value group is selected and the lower set value group is not selected, printing using the upper set value group can be executed.

  The present invention can also be applied to an invention of a data structure in which the above-described hierarchical relationship is defined between a plurality of set value groups, and changes in the set value groups are linked based on the hierarchical relationship. Further, the program as described above can be applied as an invention of an apparatus for executing the program or an invention of a method for executing the steps shown in the function of the program. An apparatus for performing the above method may be realized by a single apparatus or may be realized by combining a plurality of apparatuses, and includes various aspects. Some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the present invention is also realized as a recording medium for recording the above-described program and data structure. Of course, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

The block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a print setting program. The figure which shows an example of the data structure which shows a setting value group and hierarchy relationship information. (3A) is a diagram showing a shortcut editing screen, and (3B) is a diagram showing a printing screen. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams for explaining registration of a hierarchical relationship and change of a set value group. (5A) is a diagram for explaining a change of a set value group, and (5B) and (5C) are diagrams for explaining a printing result. (6A) and (6B) are diagrams for explaining printing results. The figure which shows a program print setting screen.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Outline and configuration:
(2) Operation:
(2-1) Hierarchical relationship registration and setting value change:
(2-2) Selection of set value group:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Outline and configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a computer 10 as a print setting apparatus that executes a print setting program 21 according to the present invention. An operation unit 40 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display 41, and a printer 42 are connected to the computer 10 via an interface (not shown). In addition, the computer 10 includes a control unit 20 including a RAM, a ROM, a CPU, and the like and an HDD (Hard Disk Device) 30, and the control unit 20 can execute various programs recorded in the ROM or the HDD 30. it can. In the present embodiment, the print setting program 21 can be executed.

  A printer driver program (not shown) is installed in the computer 10, and the print setting program 21 is one of programs constituting the printer driver program. The print setting program 21 uses a set value group in order to improve usability when printing is performed using a set of preset value values (hereinafter referred to as a set value group) for each print setting item. It has a function to handle hierarchies. In order to realize the function, the print setting program 21 includes a set value group registration unit 21a, a set value group acquisition unit 21b, a set value change unit 21c, a reflection selection unit 21d, a set value reflection unit 21e, and a set value group presentation unit 21f. And a use set value selection unit 21g. Further, the HDD 30 stores a plurality of setting value groups 30b and hierarchical relationship information 30a defined between the plurality of setting value groups.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the plurality of setting value groups 30b and the hierarchical relationship information 30a set between them. In the present embodiment, the hierarchical structure has a maximum of two layers, an upper layer (parent) and a lower layer (child), and there is one set value group serving as a parent for the set value group corresponding to the child. A set value group corresponding to a parent can have a plurality of set value groups as children. The set value group is a set of set values for various print setting items used when executing printing. The print setting items include various items such as “number of copies”, “size” and “color” settings of the print medium. An identifier for identifying the set value group is associated with the set value group. In this embodiment including FIG. 2, “3rd grade (3rd grade)”, “3rd grade 1 set (class of class number 1 in the 3rd grade)”, “3rd grade 2 set”, “4th grade”, etc. “Shortcut name” corresponds to the identifier. In the present embodiment, these “shortcut names” are given names that recall the distribution target of the corresponding printed matter. The hierarchical relationship information 30a is information indicating a hierarchical relationship defined between set value groups. In the present embodiment, information that associates an identifier, a classification (parent / child) of the identifier in a hierarchical relationship, and a definition of a parent or a child related to the identifier corresponds to the hierarchical relationship information.

  The set value group registration unit 21a is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of allowing a user to register a hierarchical relationship between set value groups. FIG. 3A shows an example of the shortcut editing screen 100. The shortcut editing screen 100 is a UI (User Interface) that provides a user with a function of registering (or changing) a hierarchical relationship between setting value groups and a function of changing setting values constituting each setting value group. A shortcut editing screen 100 and a print screen 200 (to be described later) are displayed on the display 41 according to the processing of the control unit 20, and the UI is configured by accepting the operation content by the user via the operation unit 40. The shortcut list 100a, the shortcut name input box 100b, and the parent selection pull-down list 100c provide a function of registering (or changing) the hierarchical relationship between set value groups. The set value group registration unit 21a displays the shortcut list 100a, the shortcut name input box 100b, and the parent selection pull-down list 100c, accepts operations for those UIs by the user, and accepts operations for the “save” button 100f. It is in charge of the process of storing the hierarchical relationship in the HDD 30 as the hierarchical relationship information 30a.

  The set value group acquisition unit 21 b is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring the hierarchical relationship information 30 a recorded in the HDD 30. The acquired hierarchy relation information 30a is referred to in the display of the shortcut list 100a on the shortcut editing screen 100 in FIG. 3A, the display of the set value group on the print screen 200 in FIG. 3B described later, and the processing of the set value reflection unit 21e. .

  The set value changing unit 21c is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of changing individual set values constituting the set value group. The shortcut editing screen 100 in FIG. 3A shows a state of editing the set value group corresponding to the shortcut “3 years 1 set”. As shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 20 displays a setting value editing operation unit 100 d of the shortcut editing screen 100 and accepts a setting value editing operation by the user. In the setting value editing operation unit 100d, print setting items such as “number of copies” and “size” are displayed in the “print setting item” column, and current setting values for each print setting item are displayed on the right side thereof. . For each setting value, for example, when the mouse cursor is placed and clicked, the setting value options that the print setting item can take are displayed as a pull-down list, and the user can change the setting value by selecting one of the options. can do. When the user changes the setting value using the setting value editing operation unit 100d and then receives an operation for the “save” button 100f, the control unit 20 overwrites and saves the changed setting value group in the HDD 30. Make changes.

  The reflection selection unit 21d is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of accepting selection of whether or not to reflect the change in the lower set value group when the upper set value group is changed. That is, when a setting value for an item in the upper set value group is changed by the user, the setting value for the item in the lower set value group for the upper set value group is automatically changed in conjunction with the change. It has a function to accept the user's selection as to whether or not to add. Specifically, for example, a change reflection radio button 100e as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed, and a selection is made as to whether or not changes in the set value group in the upper layer are reflected in the lower layer. When reflection is selected, the change is reflected by a setting value reflection unit 21e described later. When reflection is not selected, the lower set value group is automatically linked with the upper layer. Not changed.

  The setting value reflecting unit 21e is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of reflecting a change in a certain setting value group in another setting value group having a hierarchical relationship with the setting value group. There are the following two types of reflecting the change of the set value. First, as described above, when the reflection selection unit 21d receives a selection to reflect the change in the set value group in the upper layer to the set value group in the lower layer, the change is applied from the user in the set value group in the upper layer. The set value of the item in the set value group in the lower layer is automatically changed in conjunction with the change of the set value of the selected item. The other is to reflect the change in the “number of copies” of the upper set value group when the set value of the “set number of prints” of the lower set value group is changed.

  The set value group presentation unit 21f is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of presenting a set value group in which a hierarchical relationship is defined to the user. Specifically, based on the hierarchical relationship information 30a acquired from the HDD 30 by the set value group acquisition unit 21b, the set value group is presented in a state where the hierarchical relationship is shown. The shortcut presentation unit 201a displayed in the “shortcut” tab 201 of the print screen 200 shown in FIG. 3B presents to the user a set value group to be applied at the time of printing, and allows the user to select one of them. It is a UI for. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a set value group is presented by representing each other's hierarchical relationship in a tree display. That is, the setting value group defined in the upper layer is used as a root node, and the setting value group defined in the lower layer is used as a leaf node, and identifiers corresponding to these setting value groups are displayed. Therefore, the user can identify the upper set value group and the virtual set value group.

  In FIG. 3B, a hierarchical relationship is presented in which “3rd grade” is an upper layer (parent), and “3 year 1 set”, “3 year 2 set”, and “3 year 3 set” are lower layers (children). “4th grade”, “5th grade”, “faculty / staff”, and “1st grade”, which are displayed with the same indent as “3rd grade”, are also identifiers of upper set values. For those with a “+” mark in front of the identifier of the upper set value group, it indicates that the identifier of the upper set value group that is hidden is hidden by the identifier of the lower set value group. ing. In the UI shown in FIG. 3B, when the user selects an identifier of one of the setting value groups and operates the “OK” button 201c or the “apply” button 201d, the setting value group selected by the user is applied when printing is performed. (However, it depends on the processing contents of the use setting value selection unit 21g described later).

  When the upper layer set value group is selected as the set value group used for printing, the use set value selection unit 21g executes the printing by applying the upper layer set value group or sets the upper layer set value This is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of accepting selection of whether to execute printing by applying a set value group of a lower layer depending on the group. Specifically, as shown in the “shortcut” tab 201 in FIG. 3B, the control unit 20 displays a “use child setting” check box 201b. When the user checks this check box, the control unit 20 accepts that the user has selected to use the lower set value.

(2) Operation:
Next, in the above configuration, the operation when registering the hierarchical relationship and changing the set value and the operation when selecting the set value group will be specifically described.
(2-1) Hierarchical relationship registration and setting value change:

  4A to 4D are diagrams for explaining the transition of the setting value of the setting value group and the hierarchical relationship information. First, the user operates the shortcut editing screen 100 shown in FIG. 3A to set the shortcut name and the corresponding set value group as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, and then operates the shortcut editing screen 100 in the same manner. As shown in FIG. 4B, a hierarchical relationship is registered with the set value group. After registering the shortcuts and before registering the hierarchical relationship, the shortcut names such as “3rd grade”, “3rd year 1 set”, “3rd year 2nd set”, “3rd year 3rd set” are displayed in a tree format in the shortcut list 100a of FIG. 3A. In the shortcut list 100a, it is presented with the same indentation. To register “3rd year 1 group” as “child” with “3rd year student” as “parent”, the user selects “3rd year 1 group” from the shortcut list 100a in FIG. 3A, and the parent selection pull-down in FIG. 3A When “third grade” is selected from the list 100c and the “save” button 100f is operated, the control unit 20 updates the hierarchical relationship information 30a by the processing of the set value group registration unit 21a. Similarly, when it is accepted that “3rd year 3rd group” and “3rd year 3rd group” have registered a hierarchical relationship with “3rd grade” as a parent, the hierarchical relationship information 30a is updated as shown in FIG. 4B. . For example, by dragging the shortcut name “3rd grade 1 set” presented in the shortcut list 100a of FIG. 3A and dropping it on the shortcut name “3rd grade”, “3rd grade 1 set” is set. You may be a child of “3rd grade”.

  Next, a case will be described in which the user changes the setting value of the set value group in the upper layer after the registration of the hierarchy relationship is completed in the shortcut editing screen 100 of FIG. . First, when accepting that the user has selected “3rd grade” in the shortcut list 100a on the shortcut editing screen 100, the control unit 20 displays a set value group corresponding to “3rd grade” on the set value editing operation unit 100d. When the user has selected to reflect the change in the setting value of the upper layer to the lower layer, that is, when “Yes” is selected with the change reflection radio button 100e, if the user changes the setting value of the upper layer, the lower layer The change is also reflected in the set value group. A specific example will be described next.

  Specifically, when the user changes the “size” of “third grader”, which is the set value group of the upper layer, from “A4” to “A3”, the control unit 20 performs the process of the set value reflection unit 21e to change the setting value to FIG. As shown, the “size” of the set value group of all children whose parent is “third grade” is changed from “A4” to “A3”. On the other hand, if the user has not selected to reflect the setting change of the upper layer to the lower layer with the change reflection radio button 100e, the same change as described above is made to the “size” of the setting value group of “third grade”. Even if it is added, as shown in FIG. 4D, the change is not reflected in the “size” of the set value group in the lower layer. As described above, when the set value group of the parent in the hierarchical relationship is changed, the change can be reflected in the child, but it is reflected when the user selects to reflect. When the user wants to keep the setting contents of the child setting value group as they are, it is convenient for the user because the change of the parent can be not reflected. Since the change reflection radio button 100e is used when the set value group of the upper layer is changed, even when a shortcut other than the parent is selected in the shortcut list 100a, it is grayed out and cannot be operated. Good.

  By the way, the sum of the set values of the “number of copies” of the lower set value group is set in the “print copies” of the set value group of the upper layer. Accordingly, the user selects “one set of three years” in the shortcut list 100a and increases the “number of prints” of “one set of three years” from “20” to “30” by 10 copies in the set value editing operation unit 100d. As shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 20 changes the “number of copies” of “third grade”, which is the parent of “three years of one set”, from “60” to 10 by the processing of the setting value reflecting unit 21 e. Change to increased "70". Therefore, the user does not need to manually change the number of copies of the lower set value group after manually changing the number of copies of the lower set value group. In addition, as a result of selecting the parent “3rd grade” and changing the “printing number” of “3rd grade”, the number of printing copies of “3rd year 1 set”, “3rd year 2nd set” and “3rd year 3rd set” If it is no longer consistent with the sum, the user may be notified of this via a pop-up screen or the like.

  Note that even if the setting value of a print setting item other than “number of copies” in the lower set value group is changed, it is not reflected in the upper set value group. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, even if the color setting of “3 years 2 sets” and “3 years 3 sets” is changed from “color” to “monochrome”, the color setting of “3rd grade” Not reflected. In addition, a change in the setting value of “Size” of “3rd Year 3rd Group” is not reflected in “3rd Grade”.

(2-2) Selection of set value group:
Next, selection of a set value group used when executing printing will be described. Assume that the hierarchical relationship and the setting contents of each set value group are in the state shown in FIG. 5A. Control is performed when the user selects the parent “third grade” on the print screen 200 in FIG. 3B and does not select to use the set value group of the child (the check box 201b is not checked). The unit 20 applies the set value group of the parent “third grade” as a parameter for print execution. FIG. 5B shows the printing result in that case. In other words, “70” copies of the “size” and “color” set values that are set to “third grade” are also printed in the “number of copies” of “third grade”. In this way, using a shortcut to execute the printing by applying the set value group of the parent, the printed matter (for example, grade communication, etc.) printed with the same contents and the same print settings to all 70 “third graders” is used. Useful when you want to distribute. On the other hand, when it is desired to prepare a printed matter with different print settings for each class, it is convenient to use the function described below.

  When the hierarchical relationship and the setting contents of each set value group are in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the parent “third grade” is selected on the print screen 200 and the child set value group is selected to be used. If the check box 201b is checked, the control unit 20 sequentially prints each set value group of “three years and one set”, “three years and two sets” and “three years and three sets” as children. Applying it as a parameter for execution, a print job is generated and sent to the printer 42. As a result, a printing result as shown in FIG. 5C is obtained. That is, the control unit 20 prints a print job to which a set value group corresponding to “3 years and 1 set” is applied, a print job to which a set value group corresponding to “3 years and 2 sets” is applied, and a set value of “3 years and 3 sets”. The print job to which the group is applied is sequentially sent to the printer 42. This is because the user selects "3 years 1 set" and executes printing, then selects "3 years 2 sets" and executes printing, and then selects "3 years 3 sets" and executes printing The result is the same as the case. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to apply the setting value of the lower setting value group after selecting the upper setting value group without individually selecting the lower setting value group and instructing execution of printing. Just choose. Therefore, the operation burden on the user can be reduced, and the upper set value group and the lower set value group retain the contents, and the user uses the upper set value group and the lower set value group separately. be able to.

  The separator selection radio button 201e displayed on the shortcut tab 201 of the print screen 200 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed when the parent setting value group is selected and the child setting is selected. It is a UI that provides a user with a selection function regarding an interleaf sheet inserted for separating a printed material corresponding to a child. If the user selects “Place a blank interleaving paper”, the control unit 20 produces a blank sheet after printing corresponding to the child is finished and before printing corresponding to the next child is started. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, a blank slip sheet is inserted between each child. When “pinch the interleaf with the shortcut name printed” is selected, as shown in FIG. 6B, before executing the printing corresponding to each child, the interleaf representing the shortcut name is printed. Make sure this slip is inserted at the top of the child. If a printer that does not have multiple output trays is equipped with a function to insert such a slip sheet, after all the printing of all the children has been completed, all the printed materials will all be overlapped. Easy to sort printed materials to be printed.

(3) Other embodiments:
It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the hierarchical relationship is up to two layers has been described, but a hierarchical relationship of three or more layers may be handled.

  In the above-described embodiment, the insert paper is inserted when the parent setting value group is selected and “use child setting” is selected. However, the parent setting value group is selected. In addition, a setting UI for inserting a slip sheet may be provided to the user when “use child settings” is not selected. FIG. 7 shows a program print setting screen 300 as an example of a UI for setting a separation position and a separation method. The delimiter position setting unit 300a can input the number of prints to be delimited and check a check box. In the setting example of FIG. 7, when 20 copies are printed, the first separation position is set, and when 18 copies are printed from that point, the second division position is set, and when 22 copies are printed from that point, three copies are printed. This indicates that the eye break is set. Further, in the separation method setting unit 300b, the user can select “pin the interleaf” or “shift the arrangement position” as the separation method.

  10: Computer, 20: Control unit, 21: Print setting program, 21a: Set value group registration unit, 21b: Set value group acquisition unit, 21c: Set value change unit, 21d: Reflection selection unit, 21e: Set value reflection unit , 21f: set value group presentation unit, 21g: use set value selection unit, 30a: hierarchical relationship information, 30b: set value group, 40: operation unit, 41: display, printer 42, 100: shortcut editing screen, 100a: shortcut List, 100b: Shortcut name input box, 100c: Parent selection pull-down list, 100d: Setting value editing operation section, 100e: Change reflection radio button, 100f: “Save” button, 200: Print screen, 201: Shortcut tab, 201a: Shortcut presentation unit, 201b: check box, 201c: “OK” button , 201d: "Apply" button, 201e: "delimiter" selection radio button 300: Program print setting screen, 300a: position setting unit, 300b: method setting unit.

Claims (8)

A setting value group acquisition function for acquiring the setting value group for the print setting item, the setting value group defining a hierarchical relationship corresponding to the distribution target of the printed matter;
Based on the hierarchical relationship, the set value group presenting function for presenting the set value group in the upper layer and the set value group in the lower layer to the set value group in the upper layer in an identifiable manner,
A print setting program that enables a computer to realize this function. A set value group registration function for accepting registration of the hierarchical relationship;
The print setting program according to claim 1. A set value change function for accepting a change in the set values constituting the set value group;
A reflection selection function for accepting selection of whether or not to reflect the change in the set value group in the upper layer to the set value group in the lower layer with respect to the set value group in the upper layer;
Setting to reflect the change of the set value group of the upper layer to the set value group of the lower layer when it is selected to reflect the change of the set value group of the upper layer to the set value group of the lower layer Value reflection function,
The print setting program according to claim 1, further comprising: The print setting item includes a setting item for the number of copies to be printed,
When the setting value set in the number of copies in the lower set value group is increased or decreased by N, the setting value reflecting function causes the number of print copies in the set value group in the upper layer relative to the set value group in the lower layer. Increase or decrease the set value set in N part,
The print setting program according to claim 3. When the set value group in the upper layer is selected as the set value group to be applied to execution of printing, printing is performed by applying the set value group in the upper layer as it is, or the set value group in the upper layer A use setting value selection function for accepting selection of whether to execute printing by applying the set value group in the lower layer to
The print setting program according to claim 4.   A setting value group for a print setting item, in the setting value group in which the hierarchical relationship corresponding to the distribution target of the printed matter is defined, the setting of an arbitrary print setting item in the setting value group of any hierarchy in the hierarchical relationship A data structure in which the set value of the arbitrary print setting item in the set value group of another layer changes in conjunction with the change of the value. A set value group acquisition means for acquiring a set value group for a print setting item, the set value group defining a hierarchical relationship corresponding to a distribution target of the printed matter;
Based on the hierarchical relationship, the set value group presenting means for presenting the set value group in the upper layer and the set value group in the lower layer to the set value group in the upper layer in an identifiable manner,
A print setting apparatus. A set value group acquisition step for acquiring the set value group for the print setting item, wherein the set value group in which a hierarchical relationship corresponding to a distribution target of the printed matter is defined;
Based on the hierarchical relationship, the set value group presenting step of presenting the set value group of the upper layer and the set value group of the lower layer with respect to the set value group of the upper layer to the user in an identifiable manner;
Print setting method including

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