JP3323683B2 - Printer driver, print setting device, and print setting method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer driver, a print setting device, and a print setting method which reside on a data source side, convert output information into data optimal for a printing device, and output the data to a printer device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer driver of this type, a print screen managed by the printer driver manages a delicate adjustment of a margin amount and the like and a setting and combination of items corresponding to a layout made by trial and error. In some cases, printing was performed with different settings, or the power was turned off, causing the data to be lost.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a conventional printer driver, and corresponds to, for example, a screen in a window system.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a paper size designation area for designating the size of paper to be printed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a sheet feeding method designation area for designating a sheet feeding method. Reference numeral 3 denotes a paper type designation area for designating the type of paper. A print direction designation area 4 is used to select a print direction. In addition, regarding the above-mentioned 1, 2, and 3, when a corresponding area is designated by a cursor (not shown), items that can be specified are displayed in a pull-down menu format. 5
8 are buttons. The button 7 is a button for moving to a screen for making detailed settings other than 1, 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen opened by the button 7 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a print quality designation area.
Specify the print quality. A color designation area 10 designates color printing. A gradation processing designation area 11 designates gradation processing, for example, error diffusion. 12 to 14 are buttons.

[0007] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the selection items has several options, and the user sets the printer by combining them according to the purpose.

In addition, for use of a specially sized sheet, the user can specify the width and length by numerical values especially in the sheet size area 1.

In order to reproduce the settings once lost in the conventional printer driver, each of the areas 1, 2, 3 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. Must be opened to make settings for each of the areas 9, 10, and 11.

[0010]

Therefore, if it is desired to perform the printing operation again with the same settings, the setting screen must be displayed on the screen of the host and all the items must be set again. However, there is a problem that the burden of the resetting operation by the user is heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device in which an item screen for setting a printing condition for a printer is displayed.
The combination information set on the item screen is registered in the storage unit together with the input user setting name, and any of the registered user setting names is displayed in the user setting display area. By instructing the printer, the user sets the printing condition corresponding to the designated user setting name on the item screen, and sets the combination information corresponding to the user setting name as the printing condition. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer driver, a print setting device, and a print setting method capable of reproducing a combination of setting of each item as a print condition once set by a simple operation.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer driver for transferring predetermined control information and output information to a printer, wherein an item screen for setting printing conditions for the printer is displayed on a display unit. A registration unit for registering the combination information set on the item screen together with the input user setting name in the storage unit, and displaying a plurality of user setting names registered in the storage unit in the user setting display An instructing means for instructing any one of the user setting names in a state displayed in the area; an item displaying means for displaying, in the item screen, a state of a printing condition corresponding to the user setting name instructed by the instructing means; Setting means for calling the combination information corresponding to the user setting name designated by the instruction means and setting the combination information as printing conditions. To.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing condition set on a second item screen further opened from the item screen is registered with a setting name different from a user setting name registered by the registration means. And a second registration unit that performs the registration.

[0014] A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the second registration means registers printing conditions in a second item screen for setting print quality.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the instructing means instructs a user setting name while displaying a plurality of user setting names in a user setting display area for pull-down display.

A fifth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that an option of a setting name other than a user setting name input by a user is prepared in the user setting display area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a print setting device as a host computer having a printer driver for transferring predetermined control information and output information to a printer, an item screen for setting printing conditions for the printer is provided. While the combination information set on the item screen is registered in the storage means together with the input user setting name, and a plurality of user setting names registered in the storage means. Instructing means for instructing any one of the user setting names while being displayed in the user setting display area, and item displaying means for displaying on the item screen the state of the printing condition corresponding to the user setting name instructed by the instructing means And sets the combination information corresponding to the user setting name designated by the designation means as a call printing condition. Characterized by comprising a setting means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a printing condition set on a second item screen further opened from the item screen is registered with a setting name different from the user setting name registered by the registration means. And a second registration unit that performs the registration.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the second registering means registers printing conditions on a second item screen for setting print quality.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the instructing means instructs a user setting name while displaying a plurality of user setting names in a user setting display area for pull-down display.

A tenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that an option of a setting name other than a user setting name input by a user is prepared in the user setting display area.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a print setting method in a printer driver for transferring predetermined control information and output information to a printer, an item screen for setting print conditions for the printer is displayed on a display unit. In the displayed state, a registration step of registering the combination information set on the item screen together with the input user setting name in the storage means, and a plurality of user setting names registered in the storage means in the user setting display area An instruction step of instructing any one of the user setting names in a state where it is displayed, an item displaying step of displaying on the item screen the state of the printing condition corresponding to the user setting name instructed in the instruction step, and the instruction Setting a calling condition and calling the combination information corresponding to the user setting name designated by the process as a printing condition. To.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a printing condition set on a second item screen further opened from the item screen is registered with a setting name different from a user setting name registered by the registration means. And a second registration step of performing the following. A thirteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the second registration step registers printing conditions on a second item screen for setting print quality. A fourteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the instruction step, a user setting name is indicated while a plurality of user setting names are displayed in a user setting display area for pull-down display. A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that an option of a setting name other than the user setting name input by the user is prepared in the user setting display area.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a printing system in which a printer driver according to the present invention resides.

In the figure, a host computer 51 manages the execution state of various application programs by a system program based on a predetermined OS.
A system board 52 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. A hard disk (HD) 53 stores an application program, a printer control program, and the like. Numeral 54 denotes a floppy disk drive which is configured to be able to access a floppy disk of a medium with a seed ribbon. Reference numeral 55 denotes a CRT display which can display a predetermined window corresponding to various applications. When a printer icon (not shown) in the system is double-clicked, a print setup window to be described later is opened. Is displayed.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a printer device for executing a predetermined printing process and outputting an image to a recording medium. It should be noted that the printer device 56 may be connected to the host computer 51 in a stand-alone state, or may be configured to be connected to a predetermined network. An input unit 57 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and inputs user information and the like.

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a printer setup window openly displayed on the CRT display 55 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 16, 17, 18, and 20 are the same item areas as 1, 2, 3, and 4 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a designated item area for displaying a name set by the user. The user setting name selected on the setting screen shown in FIG. 5 described later is displayed. Also, options that can be set on an ad-hoc basis are prepared on the user setting screen, and are set as “standard”.

When "standard" is selected and a state different from the registered state is set and the button 21 is pressed, new registration is performed or the selected screen is displayed. To

On the other hand, if the user sets a state different from the state registered in the user setting displayed in the designated item area 15 and presses the button 21, new registration is performed or the selected user setting is changed. Display a screen where you can select whether to change.

The paper size designation item area 18 is an item for selecting a paper size, and the specified size has already been set. However, the size required by the user can be set on the screen opened with the button 24.

The paper feeding method designation item area 16 is an item for selecting a paper feeding method. Paper type specification item area 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes an item for setting a paper type. 19 is button 2
This is a designated item area for selecting a setting stored on the screen opened in step 3, and has options available for ad-hoc setting as well as user setting.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a designated item area for selecting a printing direction. The above 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 can be selected on this screen in a pull-down menu format.
A button 21 is used to end printer setup and register settings.

Buttons 21 to 26 function as buttons for selecting user settings displayed in the designated item area 15, that is, buttons for opening the screen of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for setting items other than those which can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 2. When the button 23 shown in FIG. 2 is designated, be opened.

In the figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a designated item area for selecting a stored setting and inputting a new setting name. If the setting name in the designated item area 27 is different from the registered one, a button is clicked. When 31 is instructed, the setting is completed and the new setting is registered.

Buttons 31 to 34 are designated when a setting selected in the designated item area 27 is to be deleted. Each of 27, 28, 29 and 30 is a pull-down menu system.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a screen which is opened when the button 24 shown in FIG. 2 is instructed. In this embodiment, this corresponds to a case where a paper size is registered.

In the figure, reference numeral 35 denotes an area for inputting the name of a sheet. An area 36 is used to input the length of the sheet. An area 37 is used to input the width of the sheet.

Buttons 38 to 41 are registered. When the button 38 is designated, the paper setting contents are registered in the printer driver stored in the hard disk (HD) 3 shown in FIG. Button 40 is instructed when deleting the setting selected in area 35.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen opened when the button 25 shown in FIG. 2 is designated, and corresponds to a screen for selecting and deleting user settings.

In the figure, reference numeral 42 denotes an area in which registered user settings are displayed, which is configured to indicate a scroll bar and display a list.

Reference numerals 43 to 46 denote buttons. The button 43 is used to confirm the selection of the user setting and to instruct when returning to the screen shown in FIG. At this time, the display of the screen in FIG. 2 indicates the state of the selected user setting.

Hereinafter, the setup processing operation by the printer driver according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a setup processing procedure by the printer driver according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (21) indicate each step. Also, it is assumed that the processing order of each step can be freely changed.

First, the printer setup window shown in FIG. 2 is displayed according to an instruction from the input unit 57 shown in FIG. 1 (1). Next, whether the instruction state of the cursor for each item area is an instruction to select a paper feeding method, an instruction to select a paper type,
The CPU of the system board 52 determines whether the instruction is a paper size selection instruction, a setting selection instruction, or a printing direction selection instruction (2) to (7). The setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

Next, whether the selection and registration of the setting is instructed on the setting screen, the selection of the print quality is instructed,
It is determined whether an instruction to select a color, an instruction to select gradation processing, an instruction to delete a setting, etc. are made (8) to (12).
If S, a selection and registration process (not shown), a print quality selection process, a color selection process, a gradation process selection process, and the like are executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting item designated in the printer setup window shown in FIG. 2 is paper, the paper setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (1).
3) It is determined whether an instruction to register a paper size has been issued on the paper setting screen, or whether an instruction to delete the paper size has been issued (14), (15). Registration or deletion of the paper size is performed, and if NO, the process proceeds to another process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting item designated in the printer setup window shown in FIG. 2 is a user setting, the user setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (16), and the user setting screen is displayed on the user setting screen. It is determined whether selection of a setting or deletion of a user setting is instructed (17), (18). If YES, selection of a user setting (not shown) or deletion of the user setting is performed, and if NO, the processing shifts to another processing. I do.

On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the setting item designated in the printer setup window shown in FIG. 2 is OK (19). If YES, the setup processing is terminated (20), and the set items are set in the user information. At the same time, it is registered in the hard disk (HD) 53 (21), and the process is terminated.

When all the settings have been registered in the printer driver according to the present embodiment, in order to reproduce a certain setting, in the item area 15 shown in FIG. (Select and instruct a registered user setting name displayed in a pull-down display).

In the present embodiment, selection of settings other than user settings is performed in a pull-down menu format. However, a selection screen such as user settings may be provided for all settings.

Further, the settings and paper sizes shown in FIG. 3 can be stored, but all the settings may be stored on the user setting screen.

According to the above-described embodiment, the printer driver allows the user to store a combination of a plurality of settings, easily call up the frequently stored print settings, and furthermore, any one of the items set by the user. It is possible to change only the items with few operation instructions.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the printer driver in the Windows system is taken as an example of the OS. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other OSs (KT7, UNIX (trade name), etc.). .

[0066]

As described above, according to the printer driver of the present invention, while the item screen for setting the printing conditions for the printer is displayed on the display unit, the combination information set on the item screen is displayed. Registered in the storage means together with the input user setting name, and with the plurality of registered user setting names displayed in the user setting display area,
Any one of the user setting names is designated, the state of the printing condition corresponding to the designated user setting name is displayed on the item screen, and the combination information corresponding to the user setting name is set as the calling printing condition. By registering a combination of the settings of each item as a printing condition set once by the user for the printer with a user setting name, the printing condition corresponding to the registered user setting name can be reproduced by a simple operation.

Further, according to the print setting apparatus of the present invention, while the item screen for setting the printing conditions for the printer is displayed on the display unit, the combination information set on the item screen is input to the user setting. In the state where the plurality of registered user setting names are displayed in the user setting display area, one of the user setting names is designated, and the printing corresponding to the designated user setting name is performed. Since the condition status is displayed on the item screen and the combination information corresponding to the user setting name is called and set as the printing condition, the user sets the combination of each item setting as the printing condition set once for the printer by the user. The printing conditions corresponding to the registered user setting name can be reproduced by a simple operation.

According to the print setting method of the present invention, while the item screen for setting the printing conditions for the printer is displayed on the display unit, the combination information set on the item screen is input to the user setting. In the state where the plurality of registered user setting names are displayed in the user setting display area, the user is instructed to designate one of the user setting names, and the printing corresponding to the specified user setting name is performed. The condition status is displayed on the item screen, and the combination information corresponding to the user setting name is called and set as the printing condition. Therefore, the user setting of the combination of the setting of each item as the printing condition once set for the printer by the user. The printing conditions corresponding to the registered user setting name can be reproduced by a simple operation.

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system in which a printer driver according to the present invention resides.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a printer setup window openly displayed on a CRT display shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for setting items other than those that can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is opened when the button shown in FIG. 2 is instructed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is opened when the button shown in FIG. 2 is instructed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setup processing procedure by a printer driver according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of a conventional printer driver.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an operation screen opened by the button shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 51 Host Computer 52 System Board 53 Hard Disk (HD) 54 Floppy Disk Drive 55 CRT Display 56 Printer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer driver for transferring predetermined control information and output information to a printer, wherein a combination set on the item screen is displayed while an item screen for setting printing conditions for the printer is displayed on a display unit. Information is stored in the storage unit along with the user setting name to be input.
Registering means for registration and a plurality of user setting names registered in the storage means
While displayed in the user setting display area,
And instructing means for instructing The configuration name, corresponding to the user setting name designated by the instruction means
Item display means for displaying the status of printing conditions on the item screen
Printer driver, wherein the stage, by comprising a setting means for setting the combination information corresponding to the designated user setting name as a call printing condition by said instruction means. 2. The second item which is further opened from the item screen.
The printing conditions set on the eye screen are registered by the registration means.
Registration with a setting name different from the user setting name to be registered
2. The printer driver according to claim 1 , further comprising means . 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second registering means sets print quality.
The printer driver of claim 2, wherein the this <br/> registering the printing condition in the second item screen of order. 4. The instructing means includes a plurality of user setting names.
State displayed in the user setting display area to be displayed in pull-down
Requesting a user setting name in a state
Item 4. The printer driver according to any one of Items 1 to 3 . 5. The user setting display area includes a user
Is not a user setting name entered by
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method is provided.
The printer driver described in Reika. 6. A method according to claim 6 , wherein predetermined control information and
A host computer with a printer driver to transfer output information
In the print setting device as a computer, an item screen for setting print conditions for the printer is displayed.
The combination set on the item screen with the
Information along with the entered user setting name in the storage
Registering means for registration and a plurality of user setting names registered in the storage means
While displayed in the user setting display area,
And instructing means for instructing The configuration name, corresponding to the user setting name designated by the instruction means
Item display means for displaying the status of printing conditions on the item screen
Corresponding to the column and the user setting name designated by the designation means
Setting for setting the combination information as a call printing condition
Print setting apparatus characterized by comprising a means. 7. A second item further opened from the item screen
The printing conditions set on the eye screen are registered by the registration means.
Registration with a setting name different from the user setting name to be registered
7. The indicium according to claim 6, further comprising means.
Printing setting device. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second registration unit sets print quality.
To register printing conditions in the second item screen
The print setting device according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The instruction means may include a plurality of user setting names.
State displayed in the user setting display area to be displayed in pull-down
Requesting a user setting name in a state
Item 9. The print setting device according to any one of Items 6 to 8. 10. The user setting display area includes a user
Choice of a setting name other than the user setting name entered by the user
Is prepared. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein
The print setting device described in any of the above. 11. Control information and predetermined information for a printer are provided.
Print settings in the printer driver that transfers
In the fixed method, Displays an item screen for setting print conditions for the printer.
The combination set on the item screen with the
Information along with the entered user setting name in the storage
A registration process to register, A plurality of user setting names registered in this storage
While displayed in the user setting display area,
An instruction step for instructing the setting name; Printing corresponding to the user setting name specified in the specifying step
The condition status described above Item display process to be displayed on the screen
When, Corresponds to the user setting name specified in the specifying step
Setting for setting the combination information as a call printing condition
Process and And a print setting method. 12. A second screen further opened from the item screen
Register the printing conditions set on the item screen with the registration unit
Registration with a setting name different from the user setting name
The recording step is further provided.
Print setting method. 13. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second registration step sets a print quality.
The printing conditions on the second item screen to perform
13. The print setting method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the instruction step includes a plurality of user setting names.
Displayed in the user setting display area where pull-down is displayed
In this state, the user is instructed to specify the user setting name.
14. The print setting method according to any one of claims 11 to 13. 15. The user setting display area includes a user
Choice of a setting name other than the user setting name entered by the user
15. The method according to claim 5, wherein
The print setting method described in any of the above.