JP2018073141A - Printer control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the amount of read data when reading out from a memory to reflect a composite setting combining setting contents of a print setting with a plurality of items on print setting information of a print job generated by a printer driver.SOLUTION: Even if a Favorite print setting stored in an external storage device 21 by an import function is not a content corresponding to a current function of the inkjet recording device 1, the Favorite print setting is not rewritten, and then, the (ON) of a Function C that does not correspond to the current function of the inkjet recording device 1 among the Favorite print settings stored in the external storage device 21 is not read out from the external storage device 21 when print setting information of a print job is generated. Thereby, the data amount of the print setting read out from the external storage device 21 to reflect the setting content of the Favorite print setting can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that outputs a print job based on an original image to a printing apparatus.

  A print job output from the terminal to the printing apparatus when the original image is printed on the printing paper in the printing apparatus includes print setting information regarding print settings such as a printing condition of the original image and a post-processing condition. The print settings can be input from the user interface screen. This user interface screen is displayed on the monitor of the terminal by starting the printer driver program of the printing apparatus at the terminal so that the document image is printed on the printing paper in the printing apparatus.

  The setting contents of the print setting are various combinations depending on the printing conditions such as the type of original image to be printed or the type of printing paper on which the original image is printed, the post-processing applied to the printing paper after printing, and the like. Therefore, for example, when the settings for frequently used print settings are entered on the user interface screen of the printer driver, a file name is given to the settings for the combination and saved as “favorite” print settings in memory. Has been done.

  The "Favorite" print settings saved in the memory can be read from the memory by specifying the file name when the print settings are entered on the user interface screen of the printer driver, and reflected at any time in the print settings being entered. .

  In addition, the “favorite” print setting saved in the memory can be output from the memory in the form of a file by using the “export” function. The outputted “favorite” print setting file can be stored in the memory as the “favorite” print setting of another printer driver by using the “import” function of the other printer driver.

  The other printer driver may be, for example, a printer driver of another compatible printing device installed in the same terminal, or may be the same printing device installed in another terminal or compatible. In some cases, the printer driver of the printing apparatus.

  The “Favorite” print settings saved in the memory can be used as they are if they are saved in the memory, and if the installed contents of the printing device options change or the function changes due to the presence or absence of the post-processing device. It may disappear.

  Also, the “Favorite” print setting saved in the memory of the printer driver of another printing device using the import function from the printer driver of a compatible printing device is different in function from other printing devices. In some cases, setting contents that can be used by other printing apparatuses may be included that cannot be used by the printing apparatus corresponding to the import destination printer driver.

  Therefore, if the printer driver has an editing function for the “Favorite” print settings stored in the memory, and there are items with settings that do not match the functions of the printing device, the settings for those items are displayed. It has been proposed that the setting content (default setting content) corresponding to the function of the printing apparatus is automatically changed by an editing function.

  In this proposal, the edited “favorite” print setting can be overwritten and saved in the memory with the same file name, or can be newly saved in the memory with a new file name (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4939500

  In the conventional proposal technique described above, when the saved “favorite” print setting includes an item that does not match the function of the printing apparatus, the setting content of the corresponding item is changed to the default content. . For this reason, the print settings after the setting contents of all items are edited to the setting contents that match the function of the printing apparatus can be read from the “favorite” print settings and reflected in the print setting information of the print job. .

  In addition, to save the print settings of “Favorites” that can only be applied to some items in the print settings information of the print job to the print settings information of the print job. What is read from the memory is the “favorite” print setting after editing so that the print settings of all items can be reflected in the print setting information of the print job.

  Accordingly, the data amount of the “favorite” print setting read from the memory to be reflected in the print setting information of the print job output from the printer driver to the printing apparatus is always the maximum including the print setting setting contents of all items. It becomes the amount of data. Then, it takes time for the process to be reflected in the print setting information of the print job.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is, for example, printing in which a printer driver generates a composite setting that is a combination of print settings of a plurality of items called “favorite” print settings. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus capable of reducing the amount of read data when reading from a memory in order to reflect it in print setting information of a job.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
In a print control apparatus for outputting a print job including print setting information indicating setting contents of a plurality of items when printing the original image to a printing apparatus based on a print command for printing the original image on printing paper.
A composite setting storage unit in which composite settings combining the settings of the print settings of the plurality of items are stored for each combination pattern;
Based on the print command, a composite setting designating unit for designating a composite setting of a combination pattern for reflecting setting contents in the print setting information among the composite settings stored in the composite setting storage unit;
Based on whether the function of the printing apparatus is enabled or disabled when the print command is generated, among the setting contents of the combination pattern designated by the composite setting designation unit, the setting contents in the composite setting are in the printing apparatus. A reading unit that reads out the setting contents of the items applicable to the print setting from the composite setting storage unit;
A print setting information generating unit that generates the print setting information in which the setting content of the item read by the reading unit from the composite setting storage unit is reflected in the print setting;
A print job output unit that outputs the print job including the print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit to the printing apparatus;
Is provided.

  The print control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the print control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the print setting is changed based on the print command and the function of the print apparatus is enabled. Or a print setting initialization unit that initializes the setting content corresponding to the invalid state, wherein the print setting information generation unit stores the setting content of the item read by the reading unit from the composite setting storage unit The print setting information reflected in the setting contents of the print setting initialized by the initialization unit is generated.

  The print control apparatus according to the first modification of the present invention is the print control apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit includes The reading unit further includes a setting change accepting unit that accepts a change in the setting content of the item reflecting the setting content read from the composite setting saving unit, and the print job output unit receives the change from the setting change accepting unit The print job including the print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit after changing the setting content of the item is output to the printing apparatus.

  Further, the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the second modification of the present invention is the printing control apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, or the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the first modification of the present invention. The print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit before the output of the print job by the print job output unit reflects the setting content read by the reading unit from the composite setting storage unit, and A confirmation display unit that makes the display distinguishable from items other than the print job, and the print job output unit prints the print displayed on the display based on the input of the print setting information confirmation instruction displayed on the display. The print job including setting information is output to the printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the amount of read data is reduced when reading out from the memory in order to reflect the composite setting combining the print settings of a plurality of items in the print setting information of the print job generated by the printer driver. be able to.

  That is, according to the printing control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a printing command for printing an original image on printing paper is generated, and based on this, for example, a printing apparatus called “favorite” printing setting is set in the printing apparatus. When the composite setting of the combination pattern to be reflected in the print setting information of the print job to be output is designated by the composite setting designation unit, the following processing is performed.

  That is, only the setting contents of the items applicable to the print setting in the printing apparatus among the setting contents of the composite setting of the designated combination pattern are read from the composite setting storage unit. Then, print setting information in which the setting content of the item read from the composite setting storage unit is reflected in the print setting is generated by the print setting information generation unit, and a print job including the print setting information is output to the printing apparatus by the print job output unit Is done.

  For this reason, it is possible to reduce the data amount of the composite setting read from the composite setting storage unit as compared to reading the setting contents of the composite setting of the designated combination pattern for all items.

  Further, according to the print control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when a print command is generated in the print control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print setting setting contents are printed by the print setting initialization unit. The setting contents corresponding to the valid or invalid state of the function of the device are initialized. Of the composite settings of the composite setting storage unit specified by the composite setting specification unit, the setting contents of the items read from the composite setting storage unit by the reading unit are printed by the print setting information generation unit after initialization. Reflected to the setting contents.

  For this reason, it is possible to check the print settings for the items other than the items that reflect the settings read from the composite setting storage unit by the reading unit, and to enable the functions of the printing apparatus without going through the procedure for specifying the items. Alternatively, it can be easily initialized to the setting contents corresponding to the invalid state.

  According to the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the first modification of the present invention, in the printing control apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the reading unit reads out from the composite setting storage unit and prints the printing setting information. When a change in the setting contents of the reflected item is accepted by the setting change accepting unit, a print job including the print setting information after changing the setting contents of the accepted item is output to the printing apparatus. .

  For this reason, even if the setting contents of the items applicable to the print settings in the printing apparatus among the combination settings of the combination pattern specified by the composite setting specification unit are reflected in the print settings when the print command is generated. If necessary, the setting content of the item can be changed to another setting content.

  Further, according to the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the second modification of the present invention, the printing control apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention or the printing control according to the aspect of the first modification of the present invention. In the apparatus, before the print job output unit outputs the print job to the printing apparatus, the print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit reflects the setting contents read by the reading unit from the composite setting storage unit, and It is displayed on the display by the confirmation display unit in distinction from other items.

  Then, after inputting a confirmation instruction for the print setting information displayed on the display, a print job including the print setting information displayed on the display is output to the printing apparatus by the print job output unit.

  For this reason, the print job output unit outputs the print job to the printing apparatus, which item reflects the setting contents in the print setting information among the composite settings of the combination pattern specified by the composite setting specification unit. Before, it can be confirmed by the display content of the display.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display image of the setting content of the print setting in the print setting screen displayed on the output part of the client terminal of FIG. (A) and (b) are displayed on the display unit when the favorite print settings stored in the external storage device of the client terminal in FIG. 1 are read from the external storage device in order to reflect the print settings of the document image. It is explanatory drawing which shows a list screen. The initialized setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to the function of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1, the setting contents of the imported favorite print settings, and the imported favorite print settings from the printing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a comparison between a processing procedure according to the present embodiment and a general processing procedure by a printer driver when generating print setting information corresponding to a function of a processing device. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing relating to generation of print setting information of a print job executed by a printer driver virtually built on the CPU of FIG. 1.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an ink jet line color printer.

(Overall configuration of printer network system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer network system of this embodiment includes an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (corresponding to a printing apparatus in the claims) and a client terminal 14 (printing control in the claims) connected on a local area network LAN. And a post-processing device 2 that performs post-processing on the paper after printing in the inkjet recording device 1.

(Configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 101 that reads image information on a document as a document image and outputs an image signal, a printer unit 102 that prints a document image on printing paper, and displays various states and inputs various settings. A touch panel display 80 to be performed and a control unit 10 for overall control are provided. Printing paper used for printing an original image in the printer unit 102 is conveyed from a paper supply unit (not shown) to a paper discharge unit (not shown) via the printer unit 102.

  The display 80 is connected to the control unit 10 and is disposed on the upper part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The display 80 can be used as an input operation unit or the like for a user to input print setting contents such as the number of copies and a copy magnification when an original image set on the scanner unit 101 is copied and printed.

  The external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10 includes an external interface unit 15 of a plurality of client terminals 14 (only one client terminal 14 is shown as a representative in FIG. 1) via a local area network LAN. Each is connected. The control unit 10 receives a document image print job from each client terminal 14.

  Further, the control unit 10 is input from the display 80 for causing the printer unit 102 to copy and print the original image read from the original in the scanner unit 101 based on the image signal of the original image read from the original in the scanner unit 101. A print job is generated in which the print setting information in the copy printing is the print setting information.

  Then, the control unit 10 generates raster data of the original image by a print job received from each client terminal 14 or a print job generated by itself. Furthermore, the printer unit 102 causes the printer unit 102 to print the original image on the printing paper with the setting contents of the print settings specified in the print setting information of the print job.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 90. The CPU 90 controls the operation of the scanner unit 101 and the printer unit 102 according to the print setting setting contents in the print setting information of the print job, based on a program stored in the ROM 91.

  The control unit 10 is provided with a RAM 92. In the RAM 92, a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10, the number of printed copies input from the display 80, various setting contents, and the like. Is stored from time to time.

  The RAM 92 is provided with a frame memory area. In this frame memory area, raster data of a document image generated by the CPU 90 by a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10 is temporarily stored until it is output to the printer unit 102.

  Further, the control unit 10 is provided with an external storage device 93, and this external storage device 93 is connected to the CPU 90. The external storage device 93 is provided with a plurality of areas for storing print jobs transferred from the RAM 92 described above.

(Configuration of client terminal)
The client terminal 14 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like. The client terminal 14 has a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 17. In addition, the CPU 16 includes a RAM 18 that functions as a working area, an input unit 19 that includes a keyboard and a mouse, an output unit 20 that includes a liquid crystal display and the like, and an external storage. A device 21 (corresponding to a composite setting storage unit in claims) and a USB port 22 are connected.

  The external storage device 21 includes a storage area for application programs for generating document data including document images such as documents and images, and printers such as the inkjet recording device 1 connected to the local area network LAN. A storage area for a printer driver program and other application programs are secured.

  The external storage device 21 also has a database area. The database area stores original data generated using an application program, and print data (for example, PRN data) obtained by converting an original image of the original data into image data for printing according to predetermined print setting information. Is done.

  Here, the print setting information is information necessary for printing, such as document data size, resolution, print paper size, print magnification, print direction, and the like. The print setting information includes a print mode (color printing / monochrome printing, single-sided printing / double-sided printing, N-up) when the original image is printed by the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and post-processing after the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Information regarding the presence / absence of post-processing (stapling, punching, etc.) in the post-processing device 2 and the contents thereof when the device 2 is connected is also included.

  The CPU 16 is an arithmetic device configured by a processor, a memory, and other peripheral devices, and activates an application program in the external storage device 21 in accordance with an activation request input from the input unit 19. Further, the CPU 16 generates document data of an image on the activated application program by a parameter input from the input unit 19 or the like. The generated document data is displayed and output on the output unit 20, and when a save request is input from the input unit 19, the generated document data is stored in the database area of the external storage device 21.

  The document data stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 is read from the external storage device 21 when a read request is input from the input unit 19 while the application program is activated. The read original image of the original data can be displayed and output on the output unit 20, or can be processed on the application program and regenerated as new original data.

  Then, the CPU 16 executes the printer driver program on the CPU 16 when an input operation from the input unit 19 receives a document image print command related to document data generated by a document application program, a form creation application program, or the like. By executing this, the printer driver 110 is virtually constructed on the CPU 16. Then, the printer driver 110 causes the inkjet recording apparatus 1 to output a print job.

(Printer driver configuration)
The printer driver 110 is a data conversion program executed on the client terminal 14 in order to control the ink jet recording apparatus 1 connected to the client terminal 14.

  The printer driver 110 acquires document data having a document image generated by a document application or the like, and generates a print job according to predetermined print setting information. Then, the generated print job is output from the external interface unit 15 to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10.

  When generating a print job of document data, the printer driver 110 prints a plurality of items when printing the document image on the inkjet recording apparatus 1 on the print setting screen of the document image displayed on the output unit 20. The input of the setting contents of is accepted. The setting contents of the accepted print setting are output to the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as print setting information of the print job of the original image.

(Print configuration)
Here, input of the setting contents of the print setting performed on the print setting screen displayed on the output unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an input portion of print setting setting contents on the print setting screen displayed on the output unit 20. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, there are two options “ON” and “OFF” for the setting contents of “function A” and “function C”, respectively, and “function B” and “function D” are set. There are three choices of “setting value A” to “setting value C” for the contents.

  Each option can be selected as a print setting setting content by clicking a radio button corresponding to each option on the print setting screen by operating the input unit 19.

  In FIG. 2A, “ON” is selected as the print settings for “function A” and “function C”, and “set value A” is set as the print settings for “function B”. However, “setting value B” is selected as the setting contents of the print setting of “function D”.

  When the print setting screen is displayed on the output unit 20 of the client terminal 14 in FIG. 1, the setting contents of “function A” to “function D” that are displayed first are, for example, the external storage device together with the document data. The setting contents of the print settings input on the print setting screen at the time of the previous saving of the document data stored in 21 can be used.

  Or it is good also as an initial value of the setting content of "function A"-"function D" corresponding to the present function of the inkjet recording device 1. FIG. Incidentally, the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2B shows initial values of setting contents of “function A” to “function D”. In this example, the initial value of “function A” is “ON”, the initial value of “function B” is “setting value A”, the initial value of “function C” is “OFF”, and the initial value of “function D” is “Set value B”.

  By the way, in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, four items of “function A” to “function D” are illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. These items can be set as print setting items. Therefore, if the setting content of each item is input by operating the input unit 19 each time an original image is printed, the burden of input work increases.

  Therefore, for example, when the settings of the print settings of the frequently used combination items are input on the print setting screen of the output unit 20 by the operation of the input unit 19, the print setting of “favorite” (in claims) The file name can be assigned as a composite setting) and stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 in which the printer driver 110 is stored. At that time, the input of the file name and the instruction to store in the external storage device 21 can also be performed by inputting on the print setting screen by the operation from the input unit 19.

  If the printer driver 110 has an export function or import function for “favorite” print settings, the “favorite” print settings stored in the external storage device 21 can be output in a file format. .

  The output destination of the exported “favorite” print setting file can be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 50 connected to the USB port 22.

  When another printer (not shown) that is compatible with the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is connected to the local area network LAN, the printer driver 110 corresponding to the printer (not shown) is stored. The database area of the storage device 21 can also be used as the output destination of the exported “favorite” print setting file.

  In this case, the exported “favorite” print setting file can be stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 by using the import function of the printer driver 110 corresponding to a printer (not shown).

  Conversely, the printer driver 110 of another printer (not shown) that is compatible with the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and connected to the local area network LAN is stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 in which the printer driver 110 is stored. The print settings of “favorites” for other printers can also be output in the form of a file by using the export function of the printer driver 110.

  In this case, the output destination of the exported “favorite” print setting file can be, for example, the USB memory 50 connected to the USB port 22. Further, by using the import function of the printer driver 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the exported “favorite” print setting file is output (imported) to the database area of the external storage device 21 in which the printer driver 110 is stored. Memorize).

  In this way, the “favorite” print setting file stored in the external storage device 21 is read from the external storage device 21 when the original image is printed by the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and the original image is printed. It can be reflected in the print settings at any time.

("Favorite" print settings)
FIG. 3A shows a “favorite” displayed on the output unit 20 when the “favorite” print setting stored in the external storage device 21 is read from the external storage device 21 in order to reflect it in the document image print setting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the list screen of print setting.

  In the example of FIG. 3A, four “favorite” print settings “favorite setting A” to “favorite setting D” are stored in the external storage device 21. Then, “favorite setting A” indicated by a solid line in the figure is selected by an input operation from the input unit 19, and the setting contents of the print settings of each item of “favorite setting A” (“function A” to “function D”) Are displayed side by side on the right side of the list screen.

  Therefore, when the “OK” button at the lower right of the list screen is clicked by operating the input unit 19, the print settings of the items of “favorite setting A” displayed side by side on the right side of the list screen are the original image settings. It is reflected in the setting contents of the print settings when printing. Along with this, the print setting setting contents of each item of “favorite setting A” are also displayed in the input portion of the print setting setting contents on the print setting screen displayed on the output unit 20 shown in FIG. Is done.

  In addition, before clicking the “OK” button on the list screen, if the radio button corresponding to the setting content of the print setting of each item of “favorite setting A” is clicked by the operation of the input unit 19, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 Within the range corresponding to the state of the current function (valid or invalid), the setting contents of the print setting can be changed for each item.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3B, the setting contents of “function A” (see FIG. 3A) that is set to “ON” reflecting the setting contents of the print setting of “favorite setting A” are displayed on the radio. It is changed to “OFF” by clicking the button.

  It should be noted that the dotted frame in FIGS. 3A and 3B surrounding the print configuration settings of “Configuration C” indicates that the print settings of “favorite setting A” read from the external storage device 21 are “Configuration C” indicates that it is not reflected in the setting contents of the print setting.

  Accordingly, the print settings of “Configuration C” have not changed even after the settings of the print settings of “Favorite Settings A” have been reflected. Therefore, the print settings must be set before the “OK” button is clicked. In principle, there is no need to change the content.

  For this reason, although the setting contents of the print setting of “favorite setting A” are reflected by the dotted frame in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the setting contents may be changed by clicking the radio button. (Items not surrounded by a dotted frame) and items that do not need to be changed (items surrounded by a dotted frame) can be distinguished.

  Incidentally, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the print setting items are illustrated for four items “function A” to “function D” for the sake of simplification of explanation. These items can be set as print setting items.

  By the way, the print setting of “favorite” stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 in which the printer driver 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is stored also varies depending on whether or not the post-processing device 2 is connected. In some cases, the setting content does not correspond to the valid or invalid state of the function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of the error.

  For example, the “favorite” print setting stored as the print setting used by the printer driver 110 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is connected to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 or the post processing apparatus 2 after that. If the post-processing apparatus 2 that has been used disappears thereafter, the setting contents do not correspond to the function (effective or invalid) state of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 at the time when the print command is generated.

  The “favorite” print setting stored as print settings used by the printer driver 110 of the printer (not shown), output by the export function, and stored by the import function of the printer driver 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is not set. Depending on the difference in function from the illustrated printer, the setting contents may not correspond to the valid or invalid state of the function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Note that the function of a printer (not shown) also differs depending on whether or not a post-processing device is connected.

  Here, referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 4, the print setting of “favorite” stored in the external storage device 21 by the import function of the printer driver 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 ( The case where the setting contents do not correspond to the state of (enabled or disabled) will be described.

  The setting contents corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 are “function A” and “function B” only “ON” and “OFF”, and “function C” only “OFF”. And

  Further, the initial value of the setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is “Function A” to “Function C” as described on the left side of the schematic diagram of FIG. It is assumed that all items are “OFF”.

  Here, for example, the print setting of “favorite” in the printer driver 110 of the printer (not shown) on the local area network LAN is stored in the external storage device 21 by the import function of the printer driver 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in FIG. Shall be.

  In addition, the imported “favorite” print setting is set to “ON” for each item of “function A” to “function C” as described second from the left in the schematic diagram of FIG. It shall be content.

  1 is input to the CPU 16 based on the original data in the external storage device 21 by the operation of the input unit 19 in FIG. 1, and the original image to be output to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is output to the CPU 16. Assume that the printer driver 110 displays a print setting screen on the output unit 20 in order to receive print setting setting input related to a print job.

  At this time, the setting contents of the print settings displayed on the print setting screen of the output unit 20 are printed at the time of the previous save of the document data stored in the external storage device 21 together with the document data, as described above. The setting contents of the print setting input on the setting screen may be used. Alternatively, the initial value of the setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 described on the left side of the schematic diagram of FIG. 4 (all of “Function A” to “Function C” are “OFF”. ]).

(Procedure to reflect the print settings of "Favorites")
Incidentally, the setting content (“ON”) of “function C” in the “favorite” print setting imported to the external storage device 21 in FIG. 1 does not correspond to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Therefore, even if the “favorite” print setting is read out from the external storage device 21 as it is, the setting contents of “function C” (“ON”) cannot be reflected in the print setting information of the print job.

  Therefore, in the general processing procedure indicated by the dotted line on the lower row side in FIG. 4, the printer driver 110 imports “function C” in the “favorite” print setting imported and stored in the external storage device 21. The setting content is rewritten by correcting from the current “ON” to “OFF” (see the second from the right in the lower row in FIG. 4).

  In addition, the print setting of “favorite” after rewriting (“function A” and “function B” is “ON” and “function C” is “OFF”) is read from the external storage device 21 (in FIG. 4). (Refer to the rightmost column in the lower row), the setting is reflected in the setting contents of each item of “function A” to “function C” in the print setting information of the print job output from the client terminal 14 to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in FIG.

  However, in the general processing procedure described above, “function C” of the “favorite” print setting stored in the external storage device 21 is set to the print setting corresponding to the validity or invalidity of the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The information is rewritten from “ON” to “OFF” so as to match the set contents of the information.

  Then, when the function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is changed thereafter and the setting content of “function C” may be set to “ON”, the print setting of “favorite” stored in the external storage device 21 is Since “Function C” is rewritten to “OFF”, it cannot be used as it is.

  In the general processing procedure described above, the “favorite” print setting after rewriting so as to match the setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to whether the function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is valid or invalid is stored in the external storage device. 21 and is reflected in the print setting information of the print job.

  For this reason, the “favorite” print setting read from the external storage device 21 to be reflected in the print setting information of the print job is the setting contents of the print settings of all items. Therefore, the data amount of the “favorite” print setting read from the external storage device 21 is always the maximum data amount corresponding to the print setting setting contents of all items, and reading takes time.

  Therefore, in the printer driver 110 according to the present embodiment, even if the “favorite” print setting stored in the external storage device 21 by the import function does not correspond to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the “favorite” Do not rewrite the print settings.

  Then, among the “favorite” print settings stored in the external storage device 21 as shown in the processing procedure of the printer driver 110 of the present embodiment, which is shown by the solid line on the upper row side in FIG. The setting content (“ON”) of “Function C” that does not correspond to the current function 1 is not read from the external storage device 21 when generating the print setting information of the print job (right in the upper row in FIG. 4) Second).

  Here, when generating the print setting information of the print job, the setting contents of the “favorite” print settings are not reflected in the print settings of the items whose setting contents are not read from the “favorite” print settings of the external storage device 21. For the item, the setting contents of the print setting that is displayed first when the print setting screen is displayed on the output unit 20 with the generation of the print command is reflected as it is.

  Therefore, as described above, the setting contents of the print settings that were input on the print setting screen at the time of the previous saving of the document data stored in the external storage device 21 together with the document data are stored in the output unit 20. When first displayed on the print setting screen, the setting content of the print setting is not necessarily the setting content corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the printer driver 110 in FIG. 1 includes the current setting of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 among the print setting settings on the print setting screen that is initially displayed on the output unit 20 when a print command is generated. For the items whose setting contents are different from the initial setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to the function, the setting contents of the print setting are initialized to the initial values.

  For example, “ON” of “Function A” and “ON” of “Function B” among the print settings of the current items displayed on the print setting screen of the output unit 20 shown in FIG. “Setting value A” and “Setting value B” of “Function D” are initial values of the print setting of each item, but “ON” of “Function C” is not the initial value of the printing setting of that item. , “OFF” is not the initial value of “function C”.

  In this case, when the input portion of the print setting setting content is displayed on the print setting screen of the output unit 20, the print setting of “function C” set to “ON” which is not the initial value is shown in FIG. ), The initial value is initialized to “OFF” and displayed on the output unit 20, and the input (selection) of the setting contents of the print setting by the click operation of the radio button is awaited.

  When the “favorite” print setting stored in the external storage device 21 is reflected, only the setting contents of the item corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 out of the “favorite” print settings are read out. Then, the setting contents are reflected on the initialized setting contents of the corresponding item to generate print setting information of the print job.

  Further, when the print setting of “favorite” stored in the external storage device 21 includes the setting contents of the three items of “function A” to “function C” as shown in FIG. The first print setting displayed on the print setting screen of the output unit 20 is the initial setting contents of the print setting information corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as described in the leftmost part of FIG. It is initialized to a value (all of “function A” to “function C” are “OFF”).

(Processing content of the printer driver)
Next, processing performed when the printer driver 110 generates print setting information for a print job in the above-described procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the printer driver 110 checks whether or not a document image print command related to document data generated by a document application program or the like has been input (step S1).

  If a print command is input (YES in step S1), the printer driver 110 activates the printer driver program of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 (or other printer) designated as the printer to be used for printing, On the print setting screen (see FIG. 2A) of the output unit 20, the setting contents of the print setting of the document image corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 are displayed (step S3).

  Further, the printer driver 110 displays the “favorite” print setting to be reflected in the print setting from the “favorite” print setting list screen (see FIG. 3A) displayed on the output unit 20 by the operation of the input unit 19. Is checked (step S5). If specified, the process proceeds to step S11 described later.

  On the other hand, when the “favorite” print setting to be reflected in the print setting is not designated (NO in step S5), the printer driver 110 inputs the print setting on the print setting screen (see FIG. 2A) of the output unit 20. It is confirmed whether or not the print settings have been input by the operation of the unit 19 (step S7). If not input (NO in step S7), the process proceeds to step S19 described later.

  If the setting contents of the print settings are input (YES in step S7), the printer driver 110 reflects the input setting contents in the print settings and displays the print setting screen of the output unit 20 (FIG. 2A). )) Is updated (step S9), and the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S5, the process proceeds to step S11 when the “favorite” print setting to be reflected in the print setting is specified in step S5 (YES). In step S11, the printer driver 110 displays the print setting screen of the output unit 20 (see FIG. 2A). ), The setting contents of the print setting of the document image corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 are initialized (see FIGS. 2B and 4).

  Subsequently, in step S11, the printer driver 110 sets the setting contents of the print setting of the original image corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 among the setting contents of the “favorite” print setting designated in step S5. It is reflected in the setting contents of the initialized print setting (see FIG. 3A) (step S13).

  Next, the printer driver 110 displays the setting contents of the “favorite” print setting specified in step S5 displayed on the right side of the “favorite” print setting list screen of the output unit 20 (FIG. 3A). It is confirmed whether there is a change input by the operation of the input unit 19 (see step S15).

  If there is no change input (NO in step S15), the process proceeds to step S19. If there is a change input (YES in step S15), the printer driver 110 sets print settings according to the input content. The contents are changed (see FIG. 3B) (step S17), and the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the printer driver 110 displays the input unit on the print setting screen (see FIG. 2A) of the output unit 20 and the list screen of the print settings of “favorites” (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). It is confirmed whether or not a confirmation instruction (OK input) has been made for the setting contents of the print setting by clicking the “OK” button or the like by the operation of 19.

  If there is no confirmation instruction (OK input) (NO in step S19), the process returns to step S5. If there is a confirmation instruction (OK input) (YES in step S19), the printer driver 110 uses the input unit. It is confirmed whether or not there has been an input for printing execution by the operation 19 (step S21).

  If there is no print execution input and there is a cancel input ("Cancel" in step S21), the series of processing ends, and if there is a print execution input ("execute" in step S21), the printer driver 110 generates print setting information with the contents of the print setting for which the confirmation instruction (OK input) was given in step S19 (step S23).

  Then, the printer driver 110 outputs a document image print job including the print setting information generated in step S23 to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 (step S25), and then ends a series of processes.

  As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, step S5 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is processing corresponding to the composite setting designation unit in the claims, and step S11 in FIG. The process corresponds to the print setting initialization section in the section, and step S13 in FIG. 5 is a process corresponding to the reading section and the confirmation display section in the claims.

  Further, in the present embodiment, step S23 in FIG. 5 is processing corresponding to the print setting information generation unit in the claims, and steps S15 and S17 in FIG. 5 are the setting change in the claims. The process corresponds to the reception unit, and step S25 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the print job output unit in the claims.

(effect)
According to the printer driver 110 of the client terminal 14 of the present embodiment described above, when a document image print command is generated, the current print setting is displayed on the print setting screen (see FIG. 2A) of the output unit 20. The settings are displayed.

  When the “favorite” print setting is specified on the list screen of the output unit 20 (see FIG. 3A), the current function of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 corresponds to the “favorite” print setting. The setting contents are read from the external storage device 21 and reflected in the setting contents of the current print setting.

  For this reason, the external storage device 21 is compared with the case where all the settings of the designated “favorite” print settings including items not corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording device 1 are read from the external storage device 21. It is possible to reduce the amount of print setting data read from “favorite”.

  Further, when a print command for an original image is generated and a “favorite” print setting to be reflected in the current print setting setting is designated on the list screen of the output unit 20 (see FIG. 3A), The print settings are initialized to the initial values of the settings corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Then, the setting content of the designated “favorite” print setting is reflected in the setting content of the initialized print setting.

  For this reason, the setting content of the item that does not correspond to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that does not reflect the setting content of the designated “favorite” print setting is initialized without performing the process of specifying the item. The setting contents corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be easily set.

  Note that the initialization in step S11 in FIG. 5 may be performed immediately after step S3, and then the process may proceed to step S5.

  In that case, the setting content of the print setting displayed on the print setting screen of the output unit 20 with the generation of the print command is set to the setting content corresponding to the current function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and the step The setting contents of the “favorite” print setting designated in S5 are reflected, or the setting contents input in step S7 are reflected.

  In the present embodiment, the setting content of the item that reflects the setting content of the designated “favorite” print setting can be changed thereafter.

  Therefore, even if the “favorite” print setting with the setting content that matches the content to which the setting content is to be reflected in the print setting is not stored in the external storage device 21, the “favorite” print setting with a similar setting content is selected. By reflecting the setting contents and changing the setting contents for some items, it is possible to simplify the print setting setting work rather than individually inputting the setting contents of the print settings for each item.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the “favorite” print setting list screen shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is selected by a dotted frame surrounding the print setting settings of each item displayed on the right side. It is possible to distinguish between items that reflect the settings of the print settings of “Favorite Settings A” to “Favorite Settings D” and items that are not reflected.

  For this reason, for example, when changing the setting contents of the print setting of the item that reflects the setting contents of the designated “favorite” print setting, the setting contents of the “favorite” print setting are reflected. It is possible to easily confirm an item reflecting the setting contents of the “favorite” print setting, such as specifying an item, before outputting the print job.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where an ink jet recording apparatus is used as a printing apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet method, and can be widely applied to a case where a printer using a method other than the ink jet method such as an electrophotographic method or a stencil printing method is used as a printing apparatus.

1 Inkjet recording device (printing device)
2 Post-processing device 10 Control unit 11 External interface unit 14 Client terminal (printing control device)
15 External interface 16 CPU
17 ROM
18 RAM
19 Input unit 20 Output unit (display)
21 External storage device (composite setting storage unit)
22 USB port 50 USB memory 80 Display 90 CPU
91 ROM
92 RAM
93 External storage device 101 Scanner unit 102 Printer unit 110 Printer driver LAN Local area network

Claims (2)

In a print control apparatus for outputting a print job including print setting information indicating setting contents of a plurality of items when printing the original image to a printing apparatus based on a print command for printing the original image on printing paper.
A composite setting storage unit in which composite settings combining the settings of the print settings of the plurality of items are stored for each combination pattern;
Based on the print command, a composite setting designating unit for designating a composite setting of a combination pattern for reflecting setting contents in the print setting information among the composite settings stored in the composite setting storage unit;
Based on whether the function of the printing apparatus is enabled or disabled when the print command is generated, among the setting contents of the combination pattern designated by the composite setting designation unit, the setting contents in the composite setting are in the printing apparatus. A reading unit that reads out the setting contents of the items applicable to the print setting from the composite setting storage unit;
A print setting information generating unit that generates the print setting information in which the setting content of the item read by the reading unit from the composite setting storage unit is reflected in the print setting;
A print job output unit that outputs the print job including the print setting information generated by the print setting information generation unit to the printing apparatus;
A printing control apparatus comprising:   The print setting information generating unit further comprising: a print setting initialization unit that initializes the setting content of the print setting to a setting content corresponding to a valid or invalid state of the function of the printing device based on the print command. 2. The print setting information in which the reading unit reflects the setting content of the item read from the composite setting storage unit in the setting content of the print setting initialized by the print setting initialization unit. Print control device.

Images